The Australian energy & resources sector has always been a stalwart for the Australian economy. Self-sufficient, the sector consistently punches above its weight and stabilises our economy. 

High global demand, new mining projects and expansions have created opportunity in the sector – from a global perspective there is continued growth in iron ore, natural gas, and coal markets. Yet, the mining industry has been forced to overcome many challenges as business models adapt to disruption and operational models shift as we move towards a growing net zero economy. Balancing its role in the energy transition discussion and supporting domestic and international supply of critical metals and minerals, like lithium, requires deep industry expertise.

Yet supply and demand fluctuations and disrupted reliability continue to impact energy prices while we build scale in the renewables space. Wind and sun are plentiful in Australia, as are the inputs into batteries. However, businesses operating in the renewable energy sector must navigate a range of changing issues, obligations, and opportunities. You can learn more about our renewable energy capabilities here.

To achieve net zero and a future transition away from fossil fuels, Australian companies need to leverage their investments in technology to allow for more advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, safety, compliance, and drive innovation. 

Depending on where you are in the journey, the challenges and opportunities facing those operating in the energy and resources markets are unique, and the circumstances can vary significantly. We’re here to support you at all stages of the life cycle to navigate challenges, leverage opportunities and incentives.

Top trends in Energy & Resources

  • Technology supporting operational efficiencies
  • Global market conditions boosting demand
  • Supporting low-emission technologies
  • Technology supporting operational efficiencies
    Technology supporting operational efficiencies
    Robotics, data analytics and programming are being used by some businesses, but they will soon become essential for those operating in the energy and resources sector to remain competitive.
  • Global market conditions boosting demand
    Global market conditions boosting demand
    While demand for resources and energy grows at a domestic and global scale, current market conditions are ideal for companies looking at growth and considering global expansion.
  • Supporting low-emission technologies
    Supporting low-emission technologies
    Australia has ample resources and is presented with a golden opportunity to support clean energy technologies by tapping into both our critical/ or rare minerals and renewals supply.

Issues impacting businesses in Energy & Resources

Cutting through the complexity of compliance

Whether you’re generating alternative energy sources or transitioning from mining exploration to production, each organisation and its circumstances will be unique. As you respond to new market demands both here and overseas, it’s important to have a handle on your obligations and requirements. Whether it’s taxaudit or risk, we cut through the compliance and complexity.

A sector supported by strong M&A activity

Despite the increasing investment in a knowledge-based service economy, the resources sector is thriving, and M&A activity is a driving force in the sector now. But with significant growth in Australia’s energy sector, greater regulation and reporting requirements follow, and equity and debt funding, valuations and financial modelling will be more important than ever. Companies with a technology focus will drive activity into the future, as critical and other rare earth minerals are essential to clean-energy technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and solar panels.

Trends in export and trade agreements

While global demand for traditional resources continues due to increasing construction, manufacturing and clean energy activity, high energy prices will remain until alternative supply solutions are found, or geopolitical tensions end. In an industry heavily reliant on global economic conditions, it’s crucial to be supported by a Government negotiating or renegotiating free trade agreements. Australia has signed free trade agreements with the UK and India, significant export markets that are anticipated to boost export activity. Reach out to understand what opportunities you can leverage to enter new markets.

Increased focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency

ESG issues are high on the agenda. While there is no current regulatory requirement in Australia, there are growing expectations for organisations to report on what they are doing in the ESG space. It’s important for Boards and Management to develop a response aligned to their organisation and implemented as a part of their overall strategy.

R&D and commercialising the next great idea

New ways of doing things and innovative products have evolved out of businesses trying to do more with less and finding ways to differentiate themselves in a crowded global market. With sovereign capability and supply chain resilience high on State and Federal agendas, we’re seeing a range of grants and funds available to support manufacturers to scale up, innovate, invest, and create new jobs. We understand how to leverage the innovation lifecycle and can support you to take a great idea to the next level.

Mastering technology to derive economic value

Spanning across software, automation, machine learning and more, technology has become an instrumental part of process optimisation in energy and resources. Resources, including critical and other rare earth minerals are the backbone of many low-emission technologies. As upfront capital investment to adopt these often-disruptive technologies continues to fall, organisations must find efficiencies across engineering, design, material waste, better affordability to attract interest from investors. This enables organisations to remain competitive, focus on the right projects, value-add, and derive economic benefit with scalability.

Cyber security issues and fraud risks rising

Data protection is critical to all businesses. Recent data breaches have signified the importance of cyber security and operational resilience. Having a strong strategy in place to prevent, minimise and rectify customer data loss is more crucial than ever. This should be front of mind for Directors and Boards not only from an IP and release of data perspective, but also due to these incidents getting receiving media attention and scrutiny, often resulting in loss of public and shareholder confidence.

Native title and Indigenous royalties

Australian states and territories continue to implement reforms and restructures of their Native Title frameworks and policies. New sites and projects will need to be cognisant of Native Title rights and consult with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement with the traditional custodians of the land and continue the push toward greater efficiencies in the Native Title process.

Our Energy & Resources services

Renewable Energy

Transformation through energy transition

Audit

Our expert audit approach will help you comply with regulations, improve the quality of your financial reporting and internal processes.

Finance and funding

From investments to merger and acquisition, we help you access sources of finance, present your case to potential funders, and negotiate a long-term sustainable relationship.

Tax

We work with clients at all stages of their business lifecycle – and through all their organisation’s major events – to navigate tax obligations.

Consulting

We take a hands-on and proactive approach to advise you on strategies for sustainable growth – from supply chain, to current opportunities and challenges, and more.

Risk

From compliance to cyber, tech enabled businesses face a raft of risks. We work with clients to implement risk management processes and strategies to reduce risk and identify opportunity to extract commercial value.

Tom Williams
Partner and National Head of Energy & Resources
Tom Williams

Guiding you through the stages of the mining life cycle

The transition from exploration to production is an exciting journey, however it can be extremely challenging. For each company, the challenges are unique and the circumstances can vary significantly depending on where you are in the journey. To help you navigate the myriad of challenges along your journey, this guide highlights the primary accounting, tax, and finance areas that companies must consider during these stages.

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