FAQs

Lighting

Commonwealth Government

Emissions Reduction Fund – Commercial & Public Lighting Upgrades

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the Federal Government’s emissions reduction program through their Direct Action Plan.

$660 million of funding was allocated in the first auction, which took place in April 2015. 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts were issued at a volume weighted average price of $13.95 per tonne.

N/A

Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Scheme

The scheme requires owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000 m² (which will reduce to 1,000m² from 1 June 2017) or more.

Varies on the product installed and the number of certificates generated.

The Building Energy Efficiency Certificate will be valid for up to 12 months. The certificate will need to be valid, current, and registered on the scheme’s online central registry.

Solar

Solar Communities Program – Round 2

Only specific regions accepted. Provides community organisations in eligible regions with funding to install small-scale renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic panels, storage batteries and solar hot water systems.

Grants from $2,500 to $12,500

N/A

Energy Efficiency

Clean Energy Regulator

Emissions Reduction Fund

Open to individuals, sole traders, companies, local, state and territory government bodies and trusts.

An opportunity to earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent a business stores or avoids emitting through projects which adopt new practices and technologies. The ACCUs can be sold to generate income.

Earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs),

N/A

Australian government

Energy Saver Program NSW

Businesses in NSW

Provides NSW businesses with access to expertise, support, training and funding to target, prioritise and implement the best energy efficiency measures.

Receive subsidised specialist advice and project support from approved energy efficiency experts.

N/A

Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA)

Environmental Upgrade Agreements NSW

Organisation must own the building or have the approval to upgrade the building (the building owner must sign the loan contract).

Provides NSW businesses with access to loans for upgrading commercial buildings and maximising their energy efficiency.

N/A

Ausgrid / ARENA

Power2U

All

For Solar and LED upgrades in these postcode areas

Sydney metro areas – 2015, 2015, 2050, 2008, 2008, 2043, 2015, 2037, 2037, 2009, 2018, 2007

Other – 2200, 2200, 2200

June 2020

Available funding of $1,000,000 has been granted.

Upfront rebates up to the value of $50,000 are available per ABN.

Lighting

Commonwealth Government

Emissions Reduction Fund – Commercial & Public Lighting Upgrades

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the Federal Government’s emissions reduction program through their Direct Action Plan. The ERF involves the government purchasing carbon abatement from a wide range of sources to reduce greenhouse emissions from one of many approved methodologies or ‘types of projects’.

$660 million of funding was allocated in the first auction, which took place in April 2015. 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts were issued at a volume weighted average price of $13.95 per tonne.

N/A

Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Scheme

The scheme requires owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000 m² (which will reduce to 1,000m² from 1 June 2017) or more.

Varies on the product installed and the number of certificates generated.

The Building Energy Efficiency Certificate will be valid for up to 12 months. The certificate will need to be valid, current, and registered on the scheme’s online central registry.

ACT Government’s ACTSmart

ACTSmart Programs

ACT Government’s ACTSmart also runs programs for households, schools, community groups and businesses.

For business owners operating in the ACT with annual electricity bills of up to $20,000 and/or employing up to 10 full-time staff, the ACTSmart Business Energy and Water program will contribute half the cost towards upgrading to more energy or water efficient products – lighting, heating or cooling, refrigeration, toilets or tapware

up to $5,000*

N/A

ACT Government’s ACTSmart

Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme EEIS

The recent addition of commercial lighting upgrades applies to the following Australian Building Code classes.

Energy efficient lighting upgrades can save up to 60% of business lighting energy bills. Lighting makes up about half the total electricity bill for general retail outlets, a quarter of the total bill for hairdressers and 14% for restaurants.

ActewAGL Retail is offering FREE or substantially discounted lighting upgrades for businesses as part of the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme.

N/A

Energy Efficiency

Clean Energy Regulator

Emissions Reduction Fund

Open to individuals, sole traders, companies, local, state and territory government bodies and trusts.

An opportunity to earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent a business stores or avoids emitting through projects which adopt new practices and technologies. The ACCUs can be sold to generate income.

Earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs),

N/A

ACTSmart

ACTSmart Business Energy and Water Program

Businesses in the ACT

For businesses who need to upgrade to more energy and water efficient tools, to reduced running costs from water and energy usage. Businesses must have electricity bills of up to $20,000 per year and employ a maximum of 10 full-time staff to be eligible.

Reimbursements of up to $5,000 to cover up to 50% of costs.

N/A

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Advancing Renewables Program

Businesses in the ACT

Provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.

Grants are expected to be between $100,000 and $50 million.

N/A

Lighting

Commonwealth Government

Emissions Reduction Fund – Commercial & Public Lighting Upgrades

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the Federal Government’s emissions reduction program through their Direct Action Plan. The ERF involves the government purchasing carbon abatement from a wide range of sources to reduce greenhouse emissions from one of many approved methodologies or ‘types of projects’.

$660 million of funding was allocated in the first auction, which took place in April 2015. 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts were issued at a volume weighted average price of $13.95 per tonne.

N/A

Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Scheme

The scheme requires owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000 m² (which will reduce to 1,000m² from 1 June 2017) or more.

Varies on the product installed and the number of certificates generated.

The Building Energy Efficiency Certificate will be valid for up to 12 months. The certificate will need to be valid, current, and registered on the scheme’s online central registry.

Energex

Energex Positive Payback for Business Reward Scheme

Small to medium sized businesses. To date retail, amusement park, food & general manufacturing sectors have been successful recipients.

Energex is offering to pay a Peak Load Reduction Reward to those businesses that contribute to reducing demand on the network during peak periods (peak demand) by replacing existing lighting with more energy efficient lighting

$200 minimum to $20,000 maximum.

N/A

Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy Peak Demand Reduction Incentive

Southern Mackay and Cannonvale / Riordanvale areas adjacent to Airlie Beach.

Demand management incentive programs help to reduce peak demand, deferring costly network infrastructure upgrades to help minimise electricity price increases for everyone. The three types of incentives available are: 1. Deemed Demand 2. Reduced Demand 3. Demand Response.

Cannonvale / Riordanvale eligible area business customers are able to claim up to up to $350/kVA. The Letter of Offer is valid for 6 months or as otherwise outlined.

N/A

Solar

Solar Communities Program – Round 2

Only specific regions accepted. Provides community organisations in eligible regions with funding to install small-scale renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic panels, storage batteries and solar hot water systems.

Grants from $2,500 to $12,500

N/A

Energy Efficiency

Clean Energy Regulator

Emissions Reduction Fund

Open to individuals, sole traders, companies, local, state and territory government bodies and trusts.

An opportunity to earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent a business stores or avoids emitting through projects which adopt new practices and technologies. The ACCUs can be sold to generate income.

Earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs),

N/A

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Advancing Renewables Program

Businesses in QLD

Provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.

Grants are expected to be between $100,000 and $50 million.

N/A

Queensland Government

Large Customer Adjustment Program

Large businesses (annual bill is greater than $150,000; or at least a $15,000 increase for customers whose annual bill is less than $150,000).

The Large Customer Adjustment Program (LCAP) is part of the Queensland Government’s Business Energy Savers Program. Its purpose is to assist up to 30 large electricity customers in regional Queensland on transitional and obsolete tariffs being phased out by 2020, to identify and implement electricity efficiency and demand management measures. As part of this process, customers will move to standard business tariffs.

Once participants are selected, they will receive a free Type 1-3 energy audit by an independent energy auditor.

N/A

Energy Auditing

Business Queensland

Business Energy Savers Program

Broad range of industries

Energy audit (Beam is on panel).

50% up to $20k.

N/A

Lighting

Victorian Essential Services Commission

Victorian Energy Saver Incentive (VEET) Scheme

Commercial facilities (office buildings, hotels, motels, aged care facilities and shopping centres); Public facilities (swimming pools, administration centres, community centres); and Residential strata and company title properties (Class 2 -common areas only)

The Victorian Essential Services Commission, who assess product applications, monitor compliance and accredit parties to undertake eligible activities and create certificates.

VEECs are tradeable certificates that vary in price according to supply and demand. An indicative price range is $17-$20 per certificate.

N/A

Commonwealth Government

Emissions Reduction Fund – Commercial & Public Lighting Upgrades

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the Federal Government’s emissions reduction program through their Direct Action Plan. The ERF involves the government purchasing carbon abatement from a wide range of sources to reduce greenhouse emissions from one of many approved methodologies or ‘types of projects’.

$660 million of funding was allocated in the first auction, which took place in April 2015. 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts were issued at a volume weighted average price of $13.95 per tonne.

N/A

Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Scheme

The scheme requires owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000 m² (which will reduce to 1,000m² from 1 June 2017) or more.

Varies on the product installed and the number of certificates generated.

The Building Energy Efficiency Certificate will be valid for up to 12 months. The certificate will need to be valid, current, and registered on the scheme’s online central registry.

Solar

Solar Communities Program – Round 2

Only specific regions accepted. Provides community organisations in eligible regions with funding to install small-scale renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic panels, storage batteries and solar hot water systems.

Grants from $2,500 to $12,500

N/A

Gas

Sustainability Victoria

Gas Efficiency Grant

Scope project and complete grant application ($5-10k).

50% up to $50k.

N/A

Energy Efficiency

Clean Energy Regulator

Emissions Reduction Fund

Open to individuals, sole traders, companies, local, state and territory government bodies and trusts.

An opportunity to earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent a business stores or avoids emitting through projects which adopt new practices and technologies. The ACCUs can be sold to generate income.

Earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs),

N/A

Sustainability Victoria

Better Commercial Buildings Grant

Commercial buildings can include offices, hotels, retail and data centres, and some mixed use buildings.

Conduct energy audit, scope projects, complete application, M&V.

50% up to $30k.

N/A

Sustainability Victoria

Better Commercial Buildings Grant

Commercial buildings can include offices, hotels, retail and data centres, and some mixed use buildings.

Identify and implement energy efficiency upgrades that lead to an improvement in building performance.

Up to $30,000 to improve NABERS energy rating by 1 star or more.

N/A

Sustainability Victoria

Boosting Productivity

Broad range of industries.

Identify potential energy efficiency improvements for your business, review pricing tariffs and suitable renewable energy options.

Energy Efficiency Assessment Grants: Two grant types: Up to $2000 AND up to $15,000.

N/A

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Advancing Renewables Program

Businesses in Victoria

Provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.

Grants are expected to be between $100,000 and $50 million.

N/A

Victorian Government

Energy Assessment Grants VIC

Designed for households and businesses to save energy.

Helps small to medium sized businesses with the cost of an energy assessment to find ways of reducing their energy usage and costs.

Two levels:a basic energy assessment – up to $2,000 towards the cost of an assessment, recommended for businesses spending between $20,000 and $50,000 on energy each year- a detailed energy assessment – up to $15,000 towards the cost of an assessment, recommended for businesses spending over $50,000 on energy each year.

N/A

Victorian Government

Energy Saver Incentive VIC

Designed for individuals or businesses in Victoria.

Provides individuals or businesses in Victoria with discounts when they buy energy-saving products and appliances.

Until the end of 2029.

On-Farm energy Tier 1 Grants

Agriculture Energy Investment Plan

Farming industry

An on-farm energy tier 1 grant provides support to farmers to replace energy
inefficient equipment, install more energy efficient systems and enable
own-generation capacity.

Up to $50,000 funding.

Until March 2020 or until funds are exhausted.

Energy Auditing

Sustainability Victoria

Energy Assessment Grant

Conduct energy audit ($10-30k).

50% up to $15,000.

N/A

Equipment

Sustainability Victoria

Materials Efficiency Program

Manufacturing businesses

Have the potential to significantly improve materials efficiency and have less than 200 full-time employees. The assessor will work with the business to tackle the root cause of the waste problem, understand the ‘true cost of waste’ and develop a business case for investing in cost-effective solutions.

Materials Efficiency Grants: Grants of up to $13,000 per business.

N/A

Lighting

South Australian Government

Retailer Energy Efficiency (REES) Scheme

Electricity and gas retailers with over 5000 customers to provide energy audits and energy efficiency activities for low income households, businesses that consume less than 160MWh electricity per year.

South Australian households and businesses may be able to receive free or discounted energy efficiency activities from energy retailers participating in the REES. Typical activities include installing energy efficient lighting, or installing water efficient shower heads, helping save water heating costs.

Free or discounted energy efficiency activities.

N/A

Adelaide City Council

Adelaide Sustainable City Incentives Scheme including Smart Blocks implementation

Adelaide City Council is providing reimbursements for the installation of energy saving devices, including LED lighting upgrades for apartment buildings, community housing, schools, small business and sporting groups with the Adelaide Council local government area.

The Smart Blocks energy efficiency incentive supports the implementation of energy efficiency measures in common property areas of apartment blocks. The apartment building must be participating in, or willing to join, the Smart Blocks program and agree to complete a case study. Individual energy efficiency measures must have a cost of carbon abatement of <$60/tonne CO2-e over a device deeming period of ≤10 years.

Up to $5,000 will be available to fund energy efficiency upgrades of apartment buildings, including LED lighting. A total of $20,000 per site is on offer for a range of activities such as solar PV, solar hot water, energy storage, electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater tanks.

N/A

Commonwealth Government

Emissions Reduction Fund – Commercial & Public Lighting Upgrades

The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is the Federal Government’s emissions reduction program through their Direct Action Plan. The ERF involves the government purchasing carbon abatement from a wide range of sources to reduce greenhouse emissions from one of many approved methodologies or ‘types of projects’.

$660 million of funding was allocated in the first auction, which took place in April 2015. 107 Carbon Abatement Contracts were issued at a volume weighted average price of $13.95 per tonne.

N/A

Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Scheme

The scheme requires owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000 m² (which will reduce to 1,000m² from 1 June 2017) or more.

Varies on the product installed and the number of certificates generated.

The Building Energy Efficiency Certificate will be valid for up to 12 months. The certificate will need to be valid, current, and registered on the scheme’s online central registry.

Solar

Solar Communities Program – Round 2

Only specific regions accepted. Provides community organisations in eligible regions with funding to install small-scale renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic panels, storage batteries and solar hot water systems.

Grants from $2,500 to $12,500

N/A

Energy Efficiency

Clean Energy Regulator

Emissions Reduction Fund

Open to individuals, sole traders, companies, local, state and territory government bodies and trusts.

An opportunity to earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent a business stores or avoids emitting through projects which adopt new practices and technologies. The ACCUs can be sold to generate income.

Earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs),

N/A

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Advancing Renewables Program

Businesses in SA

Provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.

Receive subsidised specialist advice and project support from approved energy efficiency experts.

N/A

Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA)

Environmental Upgrade Agreements NSW

Organisation must own the building or have the approval to upgrade the building (the building owner must sign the loan contract).

Provides NSW businesses with access to loans for upgrading commercial buildings and maximising their energy efficiency.

Grants are expected to be between $100,000 and $50 million.

N/A

South Australian Government

Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme SA

Provides SA small businesses and households with discounted services and products to save energy and lower their costs.

N/A