We're currently in the upside down and mob must band together to protect Country and revive this land we're on.

“We want energy security for First Nations backed up by government funding commitments – grants, loans, guarantees. We want capacity for our Traditional Owner entities, to keep up with the job demand so we can fill those jobs."

Due to its reliance on emissions-intensive brown coal, Victoria is currently seeking to engineer a transition from one of the dirtiest power systems in the world to 95% renewable energy by 2035. The Victorian government has set out an ambitious agenda consisting of projects such as establishing Renewable Energy Zones, the development of offshore wind, battery storage targets, and energy efficiency and electrification of households and businesses. The amount of coal-fired power has decreased significantly with the 2017 exit of Hazelwood station and the exit of Anglesea coal power station in 2015.  

Read the paper here

Thanks to Huzaifa Tariq for the beautiful photo!

The next roundtable in the development of the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is being held in Geelong, Victoria on 27-28 November 2024.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water have published a notice of proposal to declare an area in the Southern Ocean region off Victoria and South Australia, historically referred to as the Portland area. Consultation is now open on the suitability of offshore renewable energy infrastructure in the Commonwealth waters extending offshore from Warrnambool, Victoria to Port MacDonnell, South Australia.

Finance and funding opportunities for the state of Victoria can be found here.

We haven't tracked them all yet, so please advise us if you know of finance or funding opportunities that could be included.

First Peoples’ Solar and Storage Initiative (Closing 19 May)

Name of program: First Peoples’ Solar and Storage Initiative

Who is it for: 

• Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs)
• non-formally recognised Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs)
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
• other types of First Peoples’ organisations

What’s it for? To support the installation of neighbourhood-scale batteries and solar panel systems.

What’s available?

• $700,000 project funding available per project that installs a neighbourhood scale battery with solar panels
• up to $350,000 available for projects that proceed with either a battery storage system or a solar system 

Who's funding it? Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Victoria Government

Conditions:

• Grant funding is available to support the successful delivery of solar and battery storage projects and to build capacity in First Peoples’ communities to participate in the energy transition. This includes staffing costs to support project delivery and build capacity within communities.

When does funding close? Closing 19 May 2025

How do I apply? Click here

Need support for your application? Contact [email protected] (First Peoples Energy team) to discuss your project ideas, application documentation, and meeting program objectives.

Junior Rangers Expansion (Closing 19 May)

Name of program: Junior Rangers Expansion

Who is it for: 

• local First Nations providers, including Indigenous Ranger Groups or First Nations providers with relationships with Indigenous Ranger Groups

What’s it for?

• support primary and secondary students to engage with their schooling through a combination of classroom and on-Country learning

Who's funding it? National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)

Conditions: 

• Initial funding agreements will be for up to 2.5 years and may be extended
• Applicants should demonstrate support from Traditional Owners and partner schools to deliver activities. 
• Funded activities should boost school engagement and support participating students to complete their schooling.
• Projects can include (but not limited to) school-based activities (as well as camps, excursions and field trips) involving land, sea, and natural resource management, environmental data collection, heritage related projects and cultural studies.
• Projects can also support students to gain relevant VET qualifications.

When does funding close? Closing 19 May 2025

How do I apply? Click here

Solar Panel Rebate or interest-free loan

Name of program: Solar Panel Rebate or interest-free loan

Who is it for: 

• rental providers
• homeowners 

Who's funding it? Victoria Government

Conditions: 

• Rebate of up to $1,400 to eligible rental providers for the installation of solar panel (PV) systems on a maximum of two rental properties each financial year. This helps renters save on their energy bills.
• Rebate of up to $1,400 for the installation of solar panel (PV) systems for homeowners with existing homes or homes under construction.
• If eligible, you may be offered an interest-free loan towards your solar installation. The maximum loan amounts available are:
  • solar panel (PV) — $1,400
  • solar for rentals — $1,400
  • solar battery loans — $8,800
  You must repay the loan over 4 years, or sooner in a single lump sum if you like.

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Solar Saver Rates Program, Darebin

Name of program: Solar Saver Rates Program

Who is it for: 

• renters who are First Nation residents
• homeowners who are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander resident

Who's funding it? City of Darebin

Conditions: 

• must live in Darebin
• need to register your interest
• Council pays the upfront cost for the system, and you (or your landlord) pay it off over 10 years, interest-free

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Utility relief grant scheme for people on low incomes

Name of program: Utility relief grant scheme (non-mains)

Who’s it for?

• renters and homeowners on very low incomes

What’s it for?

• The grant provides help to pay a non-mains energy or water bill that is overdue due to a temporary financial crisis.

Who’s funding it? Victoria Government

Conditions: 

• The grant is paid to the supplier and the supplier will credit the grant against your outstanding debt or next purchase (maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period)

• You can apply if you do not currently owe on a bill but know that you will not be able to afford your next bill.

• Applications take approximately four to six weeks to process

• You must show that you have no way of paying the account without assistance, AND you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • The cost of shelter is more than 30% of your household income.

  • You or someone in your house has experienced family violence.

  • You have had a recent decrease in income, for example, lost your job.

  • You have had high unexpected costs for essential items.

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Phone the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521

Victorian Energy Upgrades program

Name of program: Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program

Who is it for: 

• business or residential customers

Who's funding it? Essential Services Commission

Conditions: 

• Search for an accredited provider who may help you access discounts for energy-efficient products under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program here 
• upgrades may be open to business and/or residential customers

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Thanks to Stefan K for the photo!