Western Australia’s energy transition, including the shift towards large-scale renewable energy projects, is increasingly occurring on First Nations land. In this context, ensuring that the transition delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for First Nations people and communities is a critical policy and governance issue. 

Given the complex interaction between native title, Crown land management and private property rights, there is an ongoing need to carefully consider how First Nations rights and interests are recognised and protected, and how the economic and social benefits of renewable energy development are equitably shared with the Traditional Owners whose lands are central to the transition.

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The power of community-led solutions was on display in Broome at the Kimberley Aboriginal Clean Energy Forum last week, an event hosted by Aarnja in partnership with the First Nations Clean Energy Network and the Nulungu Research Institute.

Federal government grant monies are now available for First Nations communities, organisations and groups for advice and engagement on planning, negotiating or pursuing clean energy projects in homes, communities and on Country.

The grants are made available as part of implementing the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy 2024-2030 – a commitment by all energy ministers in Australia to ensure First Nations communities are powered with clean energy, enabled in equitable partnerships, and are achieving economic benefits. 

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First Nations Clean Energy Symposium 18 – 20 August 2026
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, Geelong, Victoria

The First Nations Clean Energy Network is proud to invite you to our First Nations Clean Energy Symposium, and our 5th birthday celebration!

Held on Wadawurrung Country on over three days at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in Geelong, Victoria, the event opens with a Welcome Reception on 18 August, followed by two full days of programming on 19 & 20 August.

As Australia's only national gathering dedicated to First Nations leadership in the clean energy transition, this year's Symposium will bring together First Nations leaders, Traditional Owners, communities, government, unions, academics, community organisations, industry and allies to move from words to action.

• Date: 18 (Welcome Reception), 19 & 20 August 2026
• Venue: Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre
• Location: 80 Western Beach Rd, Geelong VIC

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Together, we'll focus 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'll listen, share knowledge, and build on the work we're doing together.

With two days of powerful conversations, practical case studies, and opportunities to connect, this is where relationships are built and the next phase of action takes shape.

Monash Energy Institute has three PhD scholarship positions for First Nations people to undertake research that supports First Nations people and communities access and realise benefits in the clean energy transition.

First Nations are starting to invest, participate and own clean energy projects, creating a new way forward for communities to achieve economic independence and ensure our place as rights-holders, not stakeholders.

The path to project development and equity participation however can be confusing, with few publicly available case studies of the complex process involved.

Recognising this, some First Nations project partnerships are actively sharing their intellectual property (IP) and resources.

Doing so demystifies the process and empowers First Nations communities with knowledge, enabling us to engage confidently in projects that affect our land and waters and generations to come. 

This page showcases First Nations clean energy equity partnerships that are sharing knowledge and IP, clearing the pathway to active engagement and a more sustainable and equitable clean energy transition.

A big thank you to everyone who attended PowerMakers 2025! We now have a 2 minute short film showing some of the highlights.

Australia’s energy transition offers an opportunity for cooperation and mutual financial benefit for investors and First Nations groups.

First Nations people, communities and groups are increasingly looking to co-design, lead and partner or own renewable energy systems. 

It is estimated that 43% of all clean energy infrastructure required to get Australia to net zero emissions by 2060 will be sited in regional and remote areas where First Nations groups and communities have rights, interests and aspirations.

Even outside these areas, First Nations groups are rights-holders and represent an integral stakeholder in Australia’s clean energy transition and have the potential to play a significant role in clean energy projects. 

International case studies and interviews with project developers and First Nations groups in Australia who have partnered on projects indicate that in addition to creating fairer energy systems, there are quantitative benefits of increased First Nations participation and inclusion across the clean energy project life-cycle.

The five significant benefits identified by this research and consultation include: 

1. Quicker project development cycle: First Nations support for clean energy projects can decrease the time taken for projects to progress through the development cycle. The development cycle is accelerated because of broader community support and prioritisation by council and planning authorities. Planning prioritisation can occur because the project has a broader community benefit and is aligned with government policy to support First Nations groups.
2. Greater access to, and potentially lower cost of, capital: Two reasons were identified for the lowering of capital costs. First, socially responsible projects, and projects that provide a demonstrable social benefit, attract broader pools of capital. Capital providers indicated that they would prioritise projects delivering broader benefit to First Nations groups over projects that simply met basic legal and planning requirements. Second, First Nations participation can result in a decreased risk profile due to the faster access to land and other components of the development cycle, resulting in greater likelihood of obtaining capital.
3. Access to, and preference amongst, offtake parties: The markets for offtake are highly competitive. Offtakers’ energy supply tenders often include First Nations involvement as a requirement or preference for clean energy projects from which energy will be purchased. Projects with greater levels of First Nations participation are more highly regarded by offtakers. 
4. Secondary market premium valuation: As a result of the benefits identified above, clean energy projects with significant First Nations participation are of higher value in the secondary market.
5. Local workforce benefits: For projects in regional and remote locations, partnering with local First Nations groups provides the opportunity for a relationship with a local workforce. These projects have the ability to optimise construction, operation and management costs by employing a local workforce and engaging with local First Nations-owned businesses. In addition to reducing costs in the construction and operation stages, local employment elevates the profile of projects, increasing attractiveness and potential for support from government programs and schemes.

Despite these benefits, investor backing of First Nations participation and inclusion in clean energy projects is currently low. For example, there are currently no operational clean energy projects in Australia with First Nations equity participation. 

Investors in clean energy projects in Australia are currently missing out on the additional value and broader economic benefits that partnering with First Nations groups can bring.

By harnessing the cultural knowledge, experience and political impact of First Nations groups, and incentivising success of the project, First Nations participation and partnership can assist project developers to realise these benefits.

Authors: EY in collaboration with the First Nations Clean Energy Network, 2025

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Inequalities in income, housing, and health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are well documented, yet differences in energy outcomes remain understudied.

While prior research has largely focused on remote areas or specific aspects, this paper provides the first national-level analysis of Indigenous households’ experiences in the energy market, measuring the existence, scale, and structural drivers of energy inequality.

Two indicators are examined: difficulties in paying energy bills on time and self-reported inability to heat homes adequately.

Across two decades and independent datasets, Indigenous households are 9–10 percentage points more likely to experience energy stress, a difference that persists after accounting for income.

Wealth emerges as the strongest explanatory factor, with housing tenure, education, and financial resilience also contributing substantially.

Objective measures—arrears, disconnections, and hardship program participation—account for around 43% of the observed gap and provide practical means of identifying households at risk of energy stress.

Energy stress is highly persistent, with households that had prior bill payment difficulties 47 percentage points more likely to encounter similar challenges again in 2023.

These findings show that energy inequality is not merely a matter of short-term affordability but reflects deeper structural dimensions of economic inequality.

Policies centred on income support alone are unlikely to eliminate these disparities. Access to modest emergency funds of only a few thousand dollars reduces the observed gap by about 73%, highlighting the potential of targeted, government-backed assistance to strengthen household resilience and prevent disconnections.

Authors: Rohan Best & Duygu Yengin & Andrew Taylor & Maneka Jayasinghe & Ruth Wallace, 2025. "Energy Inequality for Indigenous Australians: Evidence on Structural Drivers Across Two Decades," School of Economics and Public Policy Working Papers 2025-06 Classification-., University of Adelaide, School of Economics and Public Policy.

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'Renewable projects can help by leaving a legacy of infrastructure and programs to make life better in the bush. Shared equity schemes go even further.'