Australia’s clean energy transition is accelerating, but First Nations participation and benefit continues to lag behind the pace and scale of change.

Since the First Nations Clean Energy Network’s 2024–25 Pre‑Budget Submission, the Commonwealth has released the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy (2024–2030) and committed $70 million to its implementation.

While welcome, this funding is wholly inadequate when set against the Strategy’s intent and ambition, the scale of infrastructure being developed on First Nations land and waters, and the economic, social and energy security outcomes at stake. 

First Nations households continue to experience some of the highest energy costs, poorest housing quality and lowest levels of energy security in the country. First Nations organisations remain under‑resourced to be able to engage with, consent to, invest in and benefit from large‑scale clean energy infrastructure. Critically, there is still no adequately funded, national program to deliver solar, batteries and climate‑resilient retrofits at scale for First Nations housing. 

The gap between policy intent and delivery is widening. Without decisive fiscal intervention, the Strategy risks becoming aspirational rather than transformational. 

This 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission updates and re‑states the Network’s core budget priorities which were clearly set out in our 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission. They include:

1. Recommendation 1: Invest in First Nations housing energy efficiency, household electrification, and solar and battery systems to reduce costs of living and improve household wellbeing
2. Recommendation 2: Invest in First Nations-led community energy and diesel reduction initiatives for improved climate resilience, emissions reduction and energy reliability
3. Recommendation 3: Invest in First Nations people, organisations and ideas to improve capacity and capability, and provide access to capital for First Nations clean energy project leadership to de-risk and add value to Australia’s clean energy transition ambition.

Many of the Network’s previous recommendations remain unchanged because the underlying structural barriers remain unresolved.

The clean energy transition cannot proceed at the speed and scale required without properly resourcing First Nations communities, organisations and households as energy participants, owners and decision‑makers. 

Read our submission

Hey you mob, here’s a short film with some tips to keep you cool this hot season and make energy more affordable.

Everyone deserves access to power and every community should have homes that are climate resilient. 

Improving the energy performance of housing through energy efficiency and electrification is one way to reduce energy costs for First Nations households and communities.

Some 90% of First Nations who responded to a recent Heat Survey say their homes get too hot and they're struggling to afford their energy bills.

First Nations are also twice as likely as others surveyed to seek heat-related medical attention.

Some 90% of First Nations who responded to a recent Heat Survey say their homes get too hot and they're struggling to afford their energy bills.

First Nations are also twice as likely as others surveyed to seek heat-related medical attention.

Distributed by ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service in partnership with the First Nations Energy Network and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA), the annual survey is tracking the intersection between heat, housing, energy costs, and people experiencing financial and social disadvantage.

The ACOSS final report states the situation facing First Nations people surveyed is worse on most indicators and must be prioritised for solutions.

Read the report here

While rooftop solar has been installed on over 3.5 million houses in Australia, there are next to none on First Nations homes.

First Nations remain locked out of clean energy investment and housing and community-led initiatives, yet frequently experience unreliable, expensive, or power disconnections, living without an air conditioner as the climate warms, without a refrigerator to keep food and medicines cool, and without the ability to recharge phones and computers so that kids can do their homework.

While we continue to strongly advocate for government-backed renewable energy rebates and incentives for First Nations households, this session looks at what we can do now to improve our energy security - the appliances that pass the test, how to get off gas, and other simple energy efficiency measures to save us money on our electrification journey.

SPEAKERS: Janeen Bulsey, Vanessa Davis, Kerry Connors, Ruby Heard (Facilitator)

A new national survey has found over 70% of First Nations people struggle to cool their homes.