Sustainability Funding and Grants in Australia 2026

sustainability funding and grants

If you’re looking for sustainability funding and grants in Australia for business in 2026, this guide gives you a clear starting point. We have reviewed the major federal and state programs and organised them so you can quickly see where practical opportunities exist. Australia’s climate targets require deep investment in renewable energy, circular economy infrastructure and low emissions technology, so governments continue to fund programs that support organisations prepared to act. These schemes help businesses reduce emissions, lower operating costs, upgrade assets, and build capability for future growth, creating real opportunities for your team to leverage these incentives.

Key Funding and Grant Opportunities

Multiple departments, agencies and economic development bodies offer ongoing and time‑limited programs focused on climate, energy, waste and circular economy objectives. Notable programs and sources include the ACCU Scheme, Future Made in Australia, Business.gov.au, Australian Heritage Grant, and state programs.

Key funding organisations include ARENA, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), and the Regional Investment Corporation.

We’ll unpack some of these in a little more in detail below, including a state-by-state view of what’s on offer.

Major Federal Sustainability Funding Schemes

Future Made in Australia (FMIA)

Future Made in Australia directs public investment to support Australia’s net zero pathway. Objectives include leadership in renewable energy, improved value from natural resources, economic security, local production and job creation. In the 2024–25 Budget, the Australian Government committed $22.7 billion over the next decade to build a Future Made in Australia with funding across renewable energy, investment support, skills and industrial innovation. The latest update to the scheme, with new grants available, is the addition of the Innovation Fund as detailed below.

More information on Future Made in Australia here. Factsheet here

Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund

Launched in December 2025. Provides up to $1.5 billion in grant funding for pre‑commercial innovation, demonstration and deployment of renewable and low-emissions technologies. Allocations include $750 million for green metals, $200 million initial tranche for Renewable Energy Technology Manufacturing, and $250 million for low-carbon liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel.

More information on the Innovation Fund

Current funding opportunities

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

The CEFC’s strategic investment priorities are informed by the CEFC Act and Investment Mandate, Australia’s emissions reduction challenges and market opportunities to support the achievement of Australia’s emissions reduction targets. CEFC takes an economy-wide approach to decarbonisation prioritises investments across three main areas of economic activity: energy decarbonisation; the efficient use of energy and materials and the development of natural capital and carbon sequestration measures.

Current headline programs include the $19 billion Rewiring the Nation Fund, a $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund, and a $500 million Powering Australia Technology Fund.

Learn more about the CEFC

Driving the Nation Program

ARENA’s Driving the Nation Program supports a range of development, demonstration and deployment projects that accelerate the uptake of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and supporting infrastructure. The Driving the Nation Program is continuously open for applications that contribute to the program’s key objectives. The current focus areas are Trucks, Charging, V2G and Innovation:

  • Focus Area 1: Demonstration and deployment of heavy BEVs
  • Focus Area 2: Deployment of heavy BEV charging solutions
  • Focus Area 3: V2G and Innovation

Learn more about Driving the Nation

Local Environmental Projects program

DCCEEW’s environmental projects program, supports conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. The program funds locally informed, place-based projects that protect and restore threatened species and habitats, enhance coasts and waterways, and improve community access to nature, especially in urban green and blue spaces. Total funding is $55.5 million, with grants between $20,000 and $10 million.

Learn more about environmental grants

ACCU Scheme

Australia’s ACCU Scheme provides a financial incentive for organisations to deliver verified carbon abatement. Australian Carbon Credit Units are a regulated product that can be traded through commercial agreements or on the spot market, with each unit representing one tonne of emissions avoided or removed. Projects range from reforestation to energy efficiency and can create an additional revenue stream for landholders and businesses. To participate, a project must qualify as an eligible offset project and meet defined registration criteria. Ongoing monitoring, reporting and independent auditing are required to maintain integrity and support credit issuance.

Learn more about the ACCU scheme and how to participate

Carbon Capture Technologies Program (CCTP)

The CCTP will speed up the research, development and demonstration of novel and emerging carbon management technologies. This will address Australia’s hard-to-abate industrial emissions and residual emissions. $32.6 million will be available to support emerging carbon dioxide capture, use and removal technologies. Applications close 6 May 2026. More information

State-Specific Funding Schemes and Grant Opportunities

Victoria

Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)

This program provides discounted energy efficient products and services through Accredited Providers. Businesses create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), where each certificate represents one tonne of greenhouse gas prevented from entering our atmosphere. Approved businesses known as ‘accredited providers’ then sell these certificates to energy retailers. Small businesses can save up to $500 annually, and larger businesses up to $74,000 annually, by investing in an upgrade through the VEU program. Business can also access rebates and discounts on a range of appliances and equipment, from hot water, space heating and cooling, refrigeration, to custom upgrades. More information.

Sustainability Fund

This supports businesses, local governments and communities through a range of waste management, recycling, resource efficiency and climate change programs. Funding is only available to state government entities. However, individuals, businesses and local councils may be able to obtain a grant through a state government program that is funded by the Sustainability Fund. More information.

Building Upgrade Finance

Environmental Upgrade Finance, also known as Building Upgrade Finance, is designed to fund building upgrades. This form of finance matches business and building owners who want to make sustainable upgrades to existing buildings with private sector funding using an ‘Upgrade Agreement’ which is provided by the state government. More information

Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund

Grants of $50,000 to $500,000 support recycling infrastructure, improved material quality and job creation. Co‑contribution requirements apply and vary by applicant type. Closing July 2026. More information

Victorian Trees on Farms Program

Grants for rural landowners to integrate trees for timber production, environmental benefits, carbon sequestration or agricultural productivity. Closing July 2026. More information

To keep track of further Victorian funding and grants programs, bookmark this site Grants and programs | vic.gov.au

New South Wales

Energy Savings Scheme

The Energy Savings Scheme lets Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) offer discounts on approved energy‑saving upgrades for homes and businesses. When a business takes up an upgrade, the ACP uses the verified energy savings to create Energy Savings Certificates, which they then sell to energy retailers that must meet efficiency targets. The scheme helps reduce energy bills and encourages more efficient equipment across NSW. More information

Peak Demand Reduction Scheme

The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme works much like the Energy Savings Scheme. Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) give businesses discounts on upgrades that cut energy use during peak times. In return, the ACP uses the verified peak‑demand reduction to create Peak Reduction Certificates, which they sell to energy retailers that must meet annual targets. More information

NSW Environmental Trust

The Trust provides funding to a range of community, government and industry stakeholders to deliver projects that conserve, protect and rehabilitate the NSW environment, or that promote environmental education and sustainability. It also delivers many grant programs concerned with managing waste. There are a range of grants currently on offer for the environment and waste for 2026-2027. More information.

Sustainability Advantage

Membership provides expertise, training and tools to integrate environmental strategies into business planning and delivery. More information

Clean Technology Innovation

Grants that support researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop clean technology and skills and fast-track the emerging clean technology solutions we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The second round of funding closed, but it may open up more funding in the future. More information

Bin Trim Rebate

This coveres rebates from $1,000 up to $50,000 covering up to 50% of the capital cost of small-scale, on-site recycling equipment or technology that avoids, reduces, reuses, or recycles waste. $6 million in funding is available until 30 June 2027 or until funds are expended. More information

Building Upgrade Finance

Finance helping owners implement environmental upgrades to existing non‑residential buildings in participating council areas. More information

High‑emitting industries funding

Fund focused on working with high-emitting facilities to significantly reduce their emissions and strengthen their resilience in the future. Supports decarbonisation projects for manufacturing and mining facilities emitting more than 0.09 MtCO₂‑e per year. Note the fund is currently closed with plans to reopen in 2026. More information

To keep track of further NSW funding and grants programs, bookmark this site Grants and funding | NSW Government

Queensland

ecoBiz

This program offers a free assessment and one-on-one coaching on energy, water and waste to identify practical improvements. More information

Sustainability Loan

These loans help farming businesses invest in infrastructure to improve farming system sustainability and financial performance. More information

To keep track of further Queensland funding and grants programs, bookmark this site.

Western Australia

New Industries and Innovation Fund

Targeted funding initiatives to support startups and small businesses on innovative projects within WA. The fund provides $40 million over four years from 2025 to 2029 to boost the development and acceleration of innovation-based technologies. More information

The Clean Energy Future Fund

This fund supports the implementation of innovative clean energy projects in Western Australia that offer high public value. Round 4 applications are now open and will close to applications on 20 April 2026. More information

To keep track of further Western Australia grants and subsidies programs, bookmark these sites Grants and subsidies | Western Australian Government | Grants & Funding – South West Development Commission | Grants Assistance and Programs Register for WA industry

South Australia

Building Upgrade Finance

Supports environmental upgrades to existing non‑residential buildings in participating councils. Applications are ongoing. More information

Assess‑Implement‑Monitor (AIM) Grants

The AIM program offers up to $20,000 for expert assessments and reporting on materials efficiency, waste, energy, emissions management and circular economy practices. Co‑contribution ratios apply. Up to $5,000 is available on a 1:1 basis to implement eligible recommendations. More information

To keep track of further South Australia grants and subsidies programs, bookmark these sites

Funding from Green Industries SA | Department for Environment and Water – Grants and funding

ACT

Sustainable Business Program

Support spans energy, water, waste and transport. Rebates for energy efficiency and water efficiency upgrades are up to $10,000. EV charger support is up to $3,000. More information

Energy Innovation Fund

An additional $19 million supports innovative and emerging energy technologies. Streams include Technology Demonstration and Innovation Ecosystem Grants. The current assessment deadline is 30 April 2026. More information

To keep track of further ACT grants and subsidies programs, bookmark this site Funding and support – ACT Government

Northern Territory

Solar for Multi Dwellings Grant Scheme

Grants up to $7,500 cover up to 50 percent of installation costs for shared solar PV, solar sharing technology, battery storage and smart meters. More information.

Territory Innovation Challenges Program

This program provides opportunities and funding for organisations able to solve challenges set by the NT government. More information

To keep track of further NT grants and subsidies programs, bookmark this site GrantsNT Administration

Tasmania

AgriGrowth Loan Scheme

Loans from $100,000 to $3 million support Tasmanian farm businesses and agri‑food businesses where normal banking arrangements are not available. More information

Business Energy Efficiency Scheme (BEES)

The scheme supports electricity customers using more than 150 MWh per year to invest in energy efficiency and electrification. It supports up to $50 million in loans and operates for up to three years, depending on uptake. Program closes 6 April 2026. More information

Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Grant Program 2025–26

Supports Tasmanian advanced manufacturers to lift productivity through accreditations, expert advice and skills development. More information

To keep track of further Tasmanian grants and subsidies programs, bookmark this site Grants and Funding | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

As you can see, there is a wide range of grants available to support businesses looking to improve efficiency and reduce costs. We specialise in helping organisations navigate the larger, more complex funding programs, We specialise in helping organisations navigate the larger, more complex funding programs, so reach out if you’d like guidance on any opportunities you might need support to pursue.

Note: If there are any we have missed please contact us to get them added

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