Small Business Energy Efficiency: What Energy Grants & Funding Are Available in Australia?
DISCLAIMER: Please be advised this article is a summary and introduction to grants per state at the time of its creation. It is not, however, an official version of the grant criteria, application process, and all detailed information. For further information, please visit the relevant grant provider’s website linked on this page.
In this article, we list out small business energy grants or funding you might be eligible to apply for in your state.
Did you miss out on the recent round of Government energy grants for Small Businesses? You’re not alone, the first round of grant applications that opened on March 6, 2023, closed less than one month later due to the $16M funding being exhausted in all jurisdictions.
With energy prices surging to historical heights and businesses keen to increase their energy efficiency, it’s not hard to comprehend the rush. Still, it doesn’t mean your business has to miss out. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of current energy grants available to small businesses across all Australian states and territories, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Find out what small business energy grants or funding you might be eligible to apply for in your state:
VICTORIA
Grant Name - Business energy efficiency incentive
Program - Victorian Energy Upgrades
About - This program helps businesses save energy and money with a range of discounts and special offers on selected energy-saving products and services such as:
Energy-efficient lighting, hot water system upgrades, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fridges and freezers, TVs, and clothes dryers
Energy and water-saving fixtures and fittings
Commercial appliances, including refrigerated display cabinets
Refrigeration fans
Motors and more
Eligibility Requirements: Most Victorian businesses can participate in the VEU program and be eligible for energy-efficient products and services incentives.
Apply via: Energy Victoria
Grant name - Solar rebates for small business
Program - Solar for Business Program
About - This program is an initiative designed to support Victorian businesses to reduce their energy costs by accessing the benefits of renewable energy. This initiative aims to reduce energy bills for eligible companies by lowering the upfront cost of installing an approved small-scale solar PV system with up to 30kW inverter capacity by offering rebates up to $3.5K.
Eligibility Requirements - All entity types, including charities and not-for-profit organisations, are eligible for the Solar for business rebates providing they meet the following eligibility criteria listed on the Solar Victoria site.
Apply via - Solar Victoria
NEW SOUTH WALES
Grant name - Business energy-efficient lighting upgrades NSW
Program - Lighting upgrades for businesses
About - This incentive is part of the Energy Savings Scheme to switch inefficient lights, such as fluorescent fixtures and halogen lamps, to new, energy-efficient ones like LEDs. The more energy you save, the greater the incentive you can receive.
Eligibility Requirements - Find out if you are a small energy user or a medium or large energy user to ascertain how much of an incentive you can access.
Apply via - NSW Climate and Energy Action
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Grant name - Business energy and water-efficiency
Program - Business Energy and Water Program
About - If your business is eligible, the ACT Government will cover 50% of the cost (up to $5,000) to upgrade to more water-efficient and energy-efficient technologies, including lighting, appliances, heating or cooling, refrigeration, insulation and more.
Eligibility Requirements - Businesses operating in the ACT either pay electricity bills of up to $25,000 a year (incl GST) or employ no more than 20 staff.
Apply via - Climate Choices
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Grant name - Business efficiency assistance
Program - Smarter Business Solutions Program
About - If you're an NT business, Aboriginal enterprise or not-for-profit organisation, you can get help to reduce day-to-day energy, water, waste and material costs. This program includes advice on current efficient technologies and practices, a walk-through site survey to identify potential savings opportunities and grants to encourage and support cost savings or initiatives.
Eligibility Requirements - You must be an NT business, Aboriginal enterprise or not-for-profit organisation that satisfies the criteria on their website.
Apply via - Northern Territory Government
QUEENSLAND
Grant name - Energy-efficient air conditioning incentive - Energex
Program: PeakSmart air conditioning
About - Southeast Queensland households, businesses, builders, developers, retailers and tradies can access financial incentives of up to $400 for purchasing and installing a PeakSmart air conditioner or converting an existing air conditioner to PeakSmart.
Eligibility Requirements - To claim the PeakSmart air-conditioner reward, you will need a copy of your receipt, a completed installation form, and to log in and complete the details in the self-serve portal.
Apply via - Energex
Grant name - ecoBiz
Program - ecoBiz Queensland
About - This program provides Queensland businesses with free advice, training and workshops on improving their environmental sustainability and lowering operating costs.
Eligibility requirements - Register for an assessment and have at least 12 months of your waste, water and energy bills.
Apply via - Business Chamber Queensland
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Grant name - Sustainable technology installation rebates
Program - Sustainability Incentives Scheme
About - This scheme offers rebates to residents, businesses, and groups located within the City of Adelaide municipal area to install sustainable technologies in their homes or building. This can include:
Residential, business and commercial solar PV
Energy monitoring
Appliance electrification
Electric vehicle charging stations and more.
Eligibility requirements - Check the guidelines and terms and conditions relevant to your situation here.
Apply via - The City Of Adelaide
MULTIPLE STATES
Grant name - Electricity feed-in tariff
Program - Energy Made Easy
About - Available to ACT NSW Qld SA Tas, you may be eligible for a feed-in tariff when you install a solar energy system connected to the grid. The amount paid varies between retailers.
Eligibility requirements - To receive a feed-in tariff, a solar PV system must be: installed on a household or small business and connected to the grid within the National Energy Market (NEM).
Find out more - Energy Made Easy
Grant name - Renewable power incentives
Program - Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
About - Available to all states and territories. This Scheme creates a financial incentive for individuals and small businesses to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar panel systems, small-scale wind systems, small-scale hydro systems, solar water heaters and air source heat pumps.
Eligibility requirements - Small-scale renewable energy systems are categorised into small generation units and hot water systems. Check installation requirements here.
Find out more - Clean Energy Regulator.
