Australia is undergoing one of the largest infrastructure and energy transitions in its history. Renewable energy generation, storage and transmission projects are being developed at a scale that will shape communities for generations, with many projects located on First Nations Country.
The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) is the Australian Government's flagship investment mechanism for supporting newrenewable energy and storage projects. It provides long-term revenue support to reduce project risk and encourage
private investment in the clean energy transition.
The CIS is creating new opportunities for First Nations equity participation and revenue sharing in renewable energy and
storage projects. Under the CIS, successful projects enter into a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement (CISA) with the
Australian Government. A CISA provides long-term revenue support by establishing a revenue floor and ceiling for a
project, helping to reduce revenue risk and encourage investment in renewable energy and storage infrastructure.
In 2026, the Australian Government has established dedicated First Nations Set Asides in both CIS Tender 9 (renewable
generation) and CIS Tender 10 (dispatchable capacity and battery storage).
Together, these Set Asides reserve project capacity for developments that commit to genuine First Nations equity
participation and/or revenue-sharing arrangements.
This fact sheet explains how the Set Asides work, why they matter, what they could mean for First Nations communities
and organisations, and what support is available.