Exploring CleanTech: How We Secured $50M in Grants for Our Clients

As the Australian Government forges ahead with its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by over 40% before 2030, reliance on industry to support these efforts is at an all-time high.  

The latest federal budget allocates $1.5B for manufacturing clean energy technologies alone, which is a 15% increase on the previous financial year. Coupled with state and territory initiatives designed to drive innovation and adoption of clean energy in their regions, it’s exciting times for both young and established companies operating in this space. 

Although broad in scope, CleanTech typically refers to technologies that support renewable energy and emissions reduction. Examples include battery storage, carbon capture and renewable heat technologies, as well as innovations involving hydrogen, waste reduction, sustainable transport and more. 

How government grants for CleanTech work

With the government keenly focused on CleanTech as a means of achieving targets, there are a host of grant opportunities available to businesses of all shapes and sizes. 

Federal government grants are administered by specific agencies, such as the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). State and territory governments manage their own grants independently.

Most government grants fall into one of two categories:

1. Implementation grants which are focused on capital projects that decarbonise operations. Examples include the ‘Powering the Regions Fund’ which is administered by the DCCEEW and offers grant funding up to $50M to support high polluters to reduce emissions. Small incentives of up to $25,000 exist for SMEs at a federal level, and most state governments have their own energy efficiency grants designed to help small businesses improve sustainability. 
2. Innovation grants focus on the development and commercialisation of new technologies. The ‘Industry Growth Program’ offers up to $5M for new technologies in priority sectors. Another key federal initiative is the ‘Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund’ announced in the 2024-2025 budget. The program is set to provide a $1.7B pool of funds to CleanTech development and commercialisation. At a state level, examples include the Research and Innovation Fund from the SA Government, the Commercialisation Bridge Grant from the WA Government, Ignite Ideas from the Queensland Government, and a variety of others in different states and territories established for a similar purpose.  

Exploring the array of possible CleanTech government grants can be inspiring, but it can also feel very daunting. Business owners or executives who go it alone also find it tough to keep pace with the ever-evolving nature of government grants, with existing grants changing or expiring frequently and new ones being regularly introduced. 

Approaching CleanTech government grants strategically

Whether you’re a small to medium enterprise looking to reduce emissions, or a budding start-up with a novel solution, working with a grant specialist offers many advantages to your grant journey. 

In addition to a deep understanding of what’s available, their true skills lie in helping you pinpoint grants where you’ll have a higher likelihood of a successful application, as well as those that provide the best strategic gains for your business. 

For example, RSM grant specialists make a point of understanding your business’s strategic goals so we can help you select grant opportunities that don’t require you to compromise your approach – such as tweaking a project in a way that’s not commercially viable, or waiting too long for funding when you need it now. 

Writing the actual grant application is an art in itself, requiring:

• clear, concise and consistent language
• factual statements, evidenced by documentation
• demonstrable alignment with the grant’s intent
• strong project management skills to coordinate stakeholders and meet deadlines 

Having secured $50M in grant funding for CleanTech and decarbonisation projects in the past year alone, we are highly experienced in this space and enjoy taking the burden off our clients so they can remain focused on what they do best. 

From hybrid renewables to new battery technology or carbon capture innovations, simply ask us about the projects we’ve worked on or get in touch to discuss yours. It’s a dynamic environment for CleanTech right now, and there’s no better time to leverage the opportunities available to sustain or grow your business.
 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn how RSM can assist with CleanTech government grants, contact Rebecca Barnes on (08) 8214 7944.