Funding for small businesses to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs and lower energy consumption
Energy Efficient Communities Program – Small Business Grants
What do you get?
Grants from $5,000 to $20,000 for small businesses.
Who is this for?
This grant opportunity is for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million per year based on Business Activity Statements from the previous 12 months.
Overview
The objective of this grant opportunity is to support small businesses to save energy through:
- replace existing equipment with higher efficiency equipment
- install or replace a component/s to help an existing system run more efficiently
- carry out energy audits
- carry out monitoring of energy usage and emissions
There is an estimated $9.06 million available for this grant opportunity, with a maximum of three projects funded per electorate. We expect that there will be a high level of interest for this grant opportunity and it will likely be oversubscribed. This means an eligible application will not automatically be approved. We will approve grants according to meeting eligibility criteria, submission time and date and distribution across federal electoral divisions.
- The maximum grant amount is $20,000
- The maximum project period is 18 months
You can use your grant for one or more of the following:
- replacing existing equipment with higher efficiency equipment
- installing or replacing a component to help an existing system run more efficiently (for example installing a variable speed drive on a pump, or installing automatic controls on energy using equipment, or installing a modulating burner on a boiler)
- energy audits
- investment feasibility studies for energy efficiency upgrades
- monitoring of energy consumption and emissions
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible you must:
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- have an annual turnover of less than $10 million based on Business Activity Statements from the previous 12 months
and be one of the following entities:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- a co-operative
- a partnership
- a sole trader
We can only accept applications:
- where you can confirm that you are authorised undertake your project as described (for example, within your leasing arrangements)
- where you can demonstrate that you will use appropriately licensed tradespeople to install equipment, where applicable
- that include a supplier declaration (see template at Appendix C of the grant opportunity guidelines)
- that provide the mandatory attachments
- where you certify, if you have ceased operating as a result of bushfires or COVID-19, that you intend to resume operating as a business in the future
We can’t waive the eligibility criteria under any circumstances.
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- a trust (however an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- a corporate or non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- a publicly-funded research organisation
- any organisation not included in section 4.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines
Applying
How do you apply?
Energy Efficient Communities Program – Small Business Grants is currently closed to applications.
We’ll review all applications taking into account submission time, date, and distribution across federal electoral divisions.
There will be a maximum of three grants awarded per federal electoral division, with eligible applications in each division funded according to submission date and time.
If your application is successful, you’ll receive a written offer. If you’re unsuccessful, we’ll notify you in writing.
Successful applicants must enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The grant agreement will specify the reporting requirements and payment schedule.
We’ll pay 100% of the grant on execution of the grant agreement. You’ll be required to report how you spent the grant funds at the completion of the project.
We’ll make payments by direct credit into your nominated bank account.
Key documents
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