Government grants $10m to First Nations clean energy projects

The government has opened a grant of up to $10 million to help First Nations organisations advance their clean energy projects.

The First Nations Clean Energy Projects: Pilot Grants will support up to two eligible First Nations organisations and help move projects with an expected capacity over 1 MW beyond feasibility and towards financial close.

The pilot grants can help with project engineering design, construction plans and schedules, commercial and contract negotiations and community benefit planning.

It aims to support projects with First Nations leadership, decision-making and participation as well as the ones with potential to generate long-term financial returns and community benefits for First Nations peoples.

The grant is part of the government's First Nations Clean Energy Program to deliver the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy. The government plans to invest $70 million over three years from 2025 to deliver the program.

It has three main parts including advice grants helping First Nations applicants get independent advice, pilot grants and clean energy toolkit to help build First Nations peoples learning about the energy transition.

Applications for the pilot grants open on 1 September 2026 and close on 28 September 2026.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) recently also adopted a pilot initiative to help First Nations communities benefit from Australia's clean energy future.

Under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), a new pilot will support First Nations communities to co-own renewable energy projects and to share in the income they generate.