20 years ago, VAE started small but always thought big. Our innovative thinking and drive to find a smarter way of working has resulted in huge growth and a strong portfolio of projects. We’ve expanded our South East Queensland roots to cities and remote areas throughout Australia, opening offices across the ocean in New Zealand, and collaborating on projects in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
At VAE Group, culture is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes how we work, how we support one another, and how we deliver for our clients. We foster a culture driven by our company values: energy, synergy, success. Values built on collaboration, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where every team member feels valued, heard, and empowered to grow. Our culture isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we do it, with a shared commitment to safety, quality, and innovation that drives our success and sets us apart in the industry.
Why does culture matter? Because it directly influences the engagement, performance, and wellbeing of our people. A strong culture helps us attract and retain top talent, build meaningful relationships with clients, and maintain a high level of pride in our work. At VAE, we believe that when people feel connected to a purpose and supported by their team, they perform at their best. That’s why we invest in our culture every day—because great projects start with a great team.
At VAE, our non-negotiables define the behaviours and attitudes we expect from every team member, regardless of their role. These core principles are more than just values on a wall—they guide how we work, interact, and deliver outcomes every day. We expect our employees to act with integrity, respect, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. That means owning their responsibilities, communicating openly, supporting their teammates, and making safety and quality a priority in everything they do.
By living our non-negotiables, our people help foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and performance that benefits not only our team but also our clients and the wider community. Whether it’s “respect goes both ways,” “be the solution, not the problem,” or “never walk past an unsafe act,” these expectations ensure we stay aligned, grow stronger together, and continue to deliver on our promise of Built in Certainty.
At VAE Group, our progressive apprenticeship and graduate programs are designed to build strong foundations for the next generation of HVAC and building services professionals. We go beyond traditional training by offering structured, hands-on learning experiences that combine technical development with real-world project exposure. Our apprentices and graduates are mentored by industry leaders, work on complex, high-performance systems, and gain a deep understanding of engineering, construction, service, and emerging technologies—all while contributing to meaningful outcomes across the business.
What makes our programs truly stand out is the focus on long-term career growth. We don’t just train people to do a job—we develop future specialists, leaders, and innovators. Whether you’re starting a trade or launching an engineering career, VAE provides the support, guidance, and opportunities to thrive in a fast-evolving industry. Through these programs, we continue to invest in talent, strengthen our workforce, and ensure we remain at the forefront of smarter, more sustainable building solutions.
At VAE, we believe that a strong, successful business starts with taking care of our people. We’ve built a culture of care that supports not only the professional growth of our team but also their personal wellbeing. Whether it’s on-site safety, mental health, or work-life balance, we are committed to ensuring that every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered.
That’s why we’ve built meaningful recognition programs that honour the dedication, loyalty, and cultural values demonstrated by our team. Our tenure awards celebrate long-term commitment with exciting prizes that grow in value the longer you stay—a small way of saying thank you for being part of the journey and shaping the VAE story.
We also proudly run our Bleed Orange program, which recognises team members who truly embody the VAE culture and non-negotiables in their daily work. Whether it’s showing leadership, living our safety-first mindset, or going above and beyond for their team, these individuals represent what VAE is all about. Because when we recognise and reward the values that make us strong, we build a workplace that people are proud to be part of.
In addition to this commitment, we offer access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees and their immediate family members, providing professional support for personal, family, or work-related challenges. We’ve also partnered with a range of retailers and health providers to give our employees exclusive discounts on everyday essentials, health services, and lifestyle products. These benefits are just one way we say thank you and ensure our people have access to tools and resources that improve their quality of life—both in and out of work. Because when our people thrive, so does our business.
At VAE Group, we offer a wide range of career opportunities across multiple disciplines that contribute to the success of our industry-leading projects. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who collaborate across all phases of the building lifecycle, from concept and design to delivery and maintenance. Whether you’re working on-site, behind the scenes, or on the frontlines of technology, there’s a place for your skills and growth at VAE.
Our key career pathways include:
Each role plays a vital part in delivering our promise of Built in Certainty, and we’re always looking for driven, team-oriented individuals to join us in shaping the future of building performance.
VAE Group offers exciting career opportunities across a diverse range of locations including Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales, the ACT, as well as internationally in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Each of these regions presents a unique chance to work on high-profile projects in sectors such as healthcare, education, commercial infrastructure, and government. Whether you prefer coastal cities, regional centres, or capital hubs, our growing footprint means there’s a place for your skills and ambition in the VAE network.
From our established branches in Brisbane, Darwin, Christchurch and Cairns to exciting growth in places like Sydney, Canberra, Tauranga and Bundaberg we’re proud to offer roles that blend hands-on experience with technical innovation. These varied locations also allow our team members to explore new environments, experience different work cultures, and contribute to meaningful projects—locally and globally. No matter where you’re based, you’ll be supported by a company that values career development, safety, and teamwork at every step.
Our culture is driven by our company values: energy, synergy, success. We like to describe the way we work as a peloton of cyclists, well-organised and working hard together to reach the best possible result. This synergy lets us celebrate many successes along our HVAC journey. Our success feeds the energy that reaches our broader team including our clients, suppliers and sub-contractors.
Energy
The Company Established in 1997, today VAE Group is one of Australasia largest commercial HVAC solutions companies with 400 employees across 12 office locations in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
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At VAE Group we engineer, construct and manage Smarter HVAC and Technology Solutions. With over 400 staff across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, we pride ourselves on providing Built in Certainty for our clients.
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