First Nations Clean Energy Symposium 2026

The First Nations Clean Energy Network with support from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) held the 2026 First Nations Clean Energy Symposium on Wadawurrung Country, Djilang (Geelong, Victoria) from 19-20 August 2026.

This year, we welcomed 500 people to our biggest Symposium yet!

The First Nations Clean Energy Symposium, Australia's only First Nations-led annual national event, again brought together Traditional Owners, leaders and communities from Australia and globally to collaborate with investors, policy makers, industry and government.

Participants keen level of interest and contributions helped make the gathering a deeply meaningful event, with many takeaways.

Together, we reflected on some of the amazing work being led by our communities both here and globally, shared knowledge and experiences, and built greater understanding about actions we must next take next.

Visit the Symposium website

First Nations people and communities are front and centre of Australia's clean energy transition, not as beneficiaries, but as rights-holders, partners and leaders. We continue to exercise a leadership role, exposing regulatory and planning barriers, shaping government policy and strategy, and guiding investment towards the benefits for mob.

The Symposium is where we consolidate that progress and build power for more action. Across two days of case studies, workshops, breakout sessions and open discussions, we'll dug into what it actually takes to deliver real outcomes, from energy efficient solutions in our homes and communities, to strong agreements for benefit-sharing and co-ownership, to removing barriers that still stand in our way.

Key Focus Areas

Equity and co-ownership pathways	Global Indigenous clean energy leadership
Community energy and housing	Benefit-sharing frameworks
Policy, law and advocacy	Financing First Nations clean energy leadership
Regional and remote energy equity	Free Prior and Informed Consent in practice
Unpacking investment opportunities	Training and employment pathways
First Nations driving the transition, here and globally	Progress on the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy

Together, we focussed on what it takes to deliver real outcomes, from equity and co-ownership to stronger agreements, policy, and investment grounded in community priorities and leadership. We listened, shared knowledge, and built on the work we're doing together.

With two days of powerful conversations, practical case studies, and opportunities to connect, the Symposium again fulfilled its aim as a forum for where relationships are built and the next phase of action takes shape.

Read the final report

A final report from the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium, capturing key takeaways from each session, presentations, and some of the shared moments from our two days together, is now available.

We hope it’s a useful reflection of the conversations, ideas and actions that emerged, and a resource you carry forward beyond the Symposium.

Visit the photo gallery

We hope it’s a useful reflection of the conversations, ideas and actions that emerged, and a resource you carry forward beyond the Symposium.

Thank you to our 2026 Delegate Sponsors

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our 2026 Delegate Sponsors: Net Zero Economy Authority, AGL, AusNet, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

Delegate sponsor support enabled First Nations delegates from communities around Australia to attend the Symposium, contributing towards travel, accommodation and registration costs, bringing First Nations people and communities into the room to share knowledge and experiences, build relationships and directly contribute to the conversations shaping Australia’s clean energy future.