Cost Controller Internship

About the placement

This NSW Skills for Net Zero internship is on the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission project being delivered by ACEREZ. You will be working for ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construct joint venture building the transmission network. The initiative is proudly funded by the NSW Government and delivered by CSIRO.

As a Cost Control Intern, you will join ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construction joint venture delivering the transmission network.

This is an opportunity to gain first-hand experience working within the Project Controls and Commercial functions of a Tier 1 infrastructure construction project. Working alongside experienced cost controllers, commercial professionals, project managers, engineers and construction teams, you will develop an understanding of how costs are planned, monitored, forecast and controlled throughout the delivery of a complex major infrastructure project.

You will gain exposure to real project cost information and support activities including:

• Supporting the preparation and maintenance of project cost reports and cost forecasts.
• Assisting with tracking actual costs against approved budgets and forecasts.
• Supporting the monitoring of project commitments, purchase orders, subcontractor costs and invoices.
• Assisting with cost accruals, cost coding and financial data analysis.
• Supporting the preparation of weekly and monthly cost and project controls reports.
• Assisting with tracking project variations, changes and commercial impacts.
• Supporting the review and reconciliation of subcontractor and supplier costs.
• Assisting with monitoring labour, plant, materials and other construction costs.
• Supporting the analysis of cost trends, variances and potential cost risks.
• Working with planners and project teams to understand the relationship between cost, progress, productivity and programme.
• Assisting with cost data collection and reporting across multiple work packages and project areas.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the Project Controls and Commercial teams.

The experience will provide a strong foundation for future careers in Cost Control, Project Controls, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance or related fields.

Work arrangements

• Start date: November 2026
• Working arrangement: Fulltime or Part-time, totalling 200 hours
• Remuneration: $26.44 per hour plus superannuation on a fixed-term contract
• Location: in person; Site Office, Merotherie Road, Merotherie NSW 2852

Desired capabilities

We're looking for enthusiastic and motivated students who are keen to learn and develop practical industry experience:

• Currently studying Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline.
• An interest in cost control, project controls, commercial management and major infrastructure construction.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to work accurately with project data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.
• An interest in developing skills in cost reporting, forecasting, data analysis and project controls systems.
• The ability to work collaboratively with engineers, planners, commercial teams, subcontractors and project management personnel.
• A positive, proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Previous construction, engineering, commercial, administration or finance experience is desirable but not essential.
• A White Card, or willingness to obtain one before commencing
• Be willing and able to work on site, with arrangements to reside locally or relocate for the duration of the placement.

Applicants must:

• Be in their penultimate or final year of study in a relevant qualification at Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor, or Honours level, with a current credit-average or higher
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident currently residing in New South Wales and able to enter an employment contract
• Meet general selection criteria at the application stage, including communication skills, aptitude and attitude
• Not be an existing employee or intern (paid or unpaid) of the host organisation they are applying to
• Be willing to provide feedback on their placement experience

About the host workplace

ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, has been appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana REZ transmission network.

ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV) is the design and construct joint venture building the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission network for ACEREZ.

Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Network | ACEREZ

Apply

If you're interested in the internship, please log in to our Education & Outreach Portal to apply. Be sure to include the application code: NZ029E. You’ll need to submit your CV (pdf please) and complete the application.

About the placement

This NSW Skills for Net Zero internship is on the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission project being delivered by ACEREZ. You will be working for ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construct joint venture building the transmission network. The initiative is proudly funded by the NSW Government and delivered by CSIRO.

As a Cost Control Intern, you will join ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV), the design and construction joint venture delivering the transmission network.

This is an opportunity to gain first-hand experience working within the Project Controls and Commercial functions of a Tier 1 infrastructure construction project. Working alongside experienced cost controllers, commercial professionals, project managers, engineers and construction teams, you will develop an understanding of how costs are planned, monitored, forecast and controlled throughout the delivery of a complex major infrastructure project.

You will gain exposure to real project cost information and support activities including:

• Supporting the preparation and maintenance of project cost reports and cost forecasts.
• Assisting with tracking actual costs against approved budgets and forecasts.
• Supporting the monitoring of project commitments, purchase orders, subcontractor costs and invoices.
• Assisting with cost accruals, cost coding and financial data analysis.
• Supporting the preparation of weekly and monthly cost and project controls reports.
• Assisting with tracking project variations, changes and commercial impacts.
• Supporting the review and reconciliation of subcontractor and supplier costs.
• Assisting with monitoring labour, plant, materials and other construction costs.
• Supporting the analysis of cost trends, variances and potential cost risks.
• Working with planners and project teams to understand the relationship between cost, progress, productivity and programme.
• Assisting with cost data collection and reporting across multiple work packages and project areas.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the Project Controls and Commercial teams.

The experience will provide a strong foundation for future careers in Cost Control, Project Controls, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance or related fields.

Work arrangements

• Start date: November 2026
• Working arrangement: Fulltime or Part-time, totalling 200 hours
• Remuneration: $26.44 per hour plus superannuation on a fixed-term contract
• Location: in person; Site Office, Merotherie Road, Merotherie NSW 2852

Desired capabilities

We're looking for enthusiastic and motivated students who are keen to learn and develop practical industry experience:

• Currently studying Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline.
• An interest in cost control, project controls, commercial management and major infrastructure construction.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to work accurately with project data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.
• An interest in developing skills in cost reporting, forecasting, data analysis and project controls systems.
• The ability to work collaboratively with engineers, planners, commercial teams, subcontractors and project management personnel.
• A positive, proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Previous construction, engineering, commercial, administration or finance experience is desirable but not essential.
• A White Card, or willingness to obtain one before commencing
• Be willing and able to work on site, with arrangements to reside locally or relocate for the duration of the placement.

Applicants must:

• Be in their penultimate or final year of study in a relevant qualification at Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor, or Honours level, with a current credit-average or higher
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident currently residing in New South Wales and able to enter an employment contract
• Meet general selection criteria at the application stage, including communication skills, aptitude and attitude
• Not be an existing employee or intern (paid or unpaid) of the host organisation they are applying to
• Be willing to provide feedback on their placement experience

About the host workplace

ACEREZ, a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, has been appointed network operator by EnergyCo to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Central-West Orana REZ transmission network.

ACCIONA COBRA Joint Venture (ACJV) is the design and construct joint venture building the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission network for ACEREZ.

Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Network | ACEREZ

Apply

If you're interested in the internship, please log in to our Education & Outreach Portal to apply. Be sure to include the application code: NZ029E. You’ll need to submit your CV (pdf please) and complete the application.