Tasmania

Name of program: Business Energy Efficiency Scheme (BEES)

Who is it for: 

• First Nations businesses and non-profits

What’s it for?

• To provide low or interest free loans to businesses with annual electricity consumption of more than 150MWh (referred to as commercial and industrial (C&I) customers) to implement energy efficient products and services to sustainably reduce electricity bills.

Who's funding it? Climate Change Office in Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT), Department of State Growth

Conditions: 

Two forms of support are available:

• an interest free loan of up to $10,000 over three years, and
• a low interest loan of up to $50,000 over three years.

These two forms of support can be combined, effectively subsidising a total loan value of up to $60,000.

The Scheme works via an interest rate subsidy on commercial finance arranged between the applicant and a finance provider, rather than by directly providing loans.

The scheme provides the interest subsidies to eligible applicants by way of a once-off grant payment once the third-party finance has been drawn down and the energy efficient investment has been commenced.

While BEES provides interest support for a three-year period, the loan entered into between the applicant and its financial provider can reflect a loan period that meets the needs of the applicant (ie the loan term is not prescribed under the scheme).

When does funding close? Closing 2026 (or earlier if funding is exhausted)

How do I apply? Click here

Name of program: Business Growth Loan Scheme

Who is it for: 

• First Nations businesses and not-for-profits

What’s it for?

• To assist Tasmanian businesses to develop, expand or undertake new projects, that promote growth in the Tasmanian economy and align with the Tasmanian Government’s strategic objectives.

Who's funding it? Department of State Growth

Conditions: 

• The minimum loan amount is $100,000 and the maximum loan amount is $5 million with a loan term up to 5 years. Concessional interest rates apply for the first three years (currently 7.22%), with commercial rates to apply after year 3. Loan interest will apply from the commencement of the loan.
• The loan must support Tasmanian employment, and that Tasmanian labour and materials will be used wherever possible to complete the project.
• The project must align to an identified policy objective of the Tasmanian Government - such as Tasmania’s Small Business Growth Strategy 2026 - and contributes to growth in the Tasmanian economy.
• The project must clearly demonstrate that the financial assistance from the Tasmanian Government sought under this scheme is required and that the project cannot be funded on commercial terms through normal banking channels.

When does funding close? Closing 18 December 2026 (or when funds are exhausted)

How do I apply? Click here

Name of program: NILS Essential Loans

Who's it for: 

• Community members
• First Nations people

What’s it for? To help low income people get safe, fair and affordable loans for things like fridges, washers, furniture, bond and rent in advance, and other essentials

Who’s funding it? NILS Network of Tasmania

Conditions:

• Interest free loans of up to $2,000
• Must have:
  • a current healthcare card, pension card or DVA card.
  • be in receipt of fortnightly Centrelink or DVA Payments, or have a working income of $60,000 gross or less.
  • live in stable accommodation (exceptions can be made in some cases).
  • capacity to repay the loan.

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Name of program: NILS Tasmania Microbusiness Loans

Who's it for: 

• Community members
• First Nations people and small businesses
• Start-ups

What’s it for? To help start a new business or boost an existing one

Who’s funding it? NILS Network of Tasmania

Conditions:

• Interest free loans of up to $3,000
• Mentoring and support provided
• Must have:
  • A current healthcare card, pension card or DVA card.
  • be in receipt of fortnightly Centrelink or DVA Payments, or have a working income of $60,000 gross or less.
  • live in stable accommodation (exceptions can be made in some cases).
  • Capacity to repay the loan.

When does funding close? OPEN

How do I apply? Click here

Name of program: PowerSmart for Small Business

Who is it for: 

• First Nations small businesses

What’s it for?

• To fund energy efficiency audits for businesses seeking to find savings in their energy consumption
• The outcomes of energy efficiency audits will help to provide recommendations to businesses to then pursue savings, for example, through negotiating more cost-effective energy plans with their energy retailer or by utilising the Energy Saver Loan Scheme, which provides interest-free loans for energy efficient improvements up to $10,000.

Who's funding it? Climate Change Office in Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT), Department of State Growth

Conditions:

• $1,000 per small business
• must have paid for, and received, an independent energy efficiency audit in line with the guidelines after 11 April 2024

When does funding close? OPEN (until funding is exhausted)

Learn more: Click here

How do I apply? Click here

Name of program: TAS Energy Saver Loan Scheme

Who is it for: 

• Community organisations
• Small to Medium Sized Businesses
• Homeowners or owners of rental properties 

What’s it for?

Provides 0% interest loans to help buy and install energy efficient upgrades and products such as:

• solar panel and battery storage systems
• electric heating and cooling systems (heat pumps)
• electric heat pump hot water systems and solar hot water systems
• induction and ceramic electric stovetops
• double glazing upgrades to existing buildings (not new builds)
• insulation for existing buildings (not new builds)
• energy efficient appliances (fridges/freezers, clothes dryers, clothes washers, dishwashers)
• EV charging

Who's funding it? Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania with Brighte

Conditions: 

• loans from $500-$10,000 with fortnightly repayments up to 3 years
• The Energy Saver Loan Scheme is only accessible via accredited vendors found on the Brighte marketplace. The funds provided through the Scheme are paid directly to your vendor by Brighte. You will then make repayments to Brighte in line with the terms of the loan.

When does funding close? OPEN

Learn more: Click here

Thanks for use of the photo by David Clode on Unsplash