Government grants are available for Australian businesses in the sustainability sector. Programs span federal and state governments, offering funding for growth, innovation, infrastructure and workforce development.
What these grants can fund
- Business expansion and capital investment
- Equipment and infrastructure upgrades
- Workforce training and skills development
- Technology adoption and innovation
- Export and market development
Common eligibility requirements
- Registered Australian business with a valid ABN
- Must be operating in the relevant sector
- Matching co-contribution may be required
- Some programs have employee or turnover thresholds
Eligibility varies by program. Always check the official source before applying.
Open programs
Showing 12 of 18The NSW Government's Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 (WASM) Litter Prevention Grants Program funds councils, community groups, and other key stakeholders to implement litter prevention initiatives. Projects must contribute to NSW litter reduction targets of 60% reduction in litter items by 2030 and 30% reduction in plastic litter items by 2025, while building organizational capacity for sustainable litter prevention.
This program provides matched funding for organisations and individuals undertaking greening projects on private property within the City of Melbourne. Projects may include new green open spaces, tree planting, biodiversity projects, green roofs, vertical greening, and water sensitive urban design. Two funding streams are available: Stream 1 for high-impact greening projects ($30,000-$100,000) and Stream 2 for community-focused smaller-scale projects (up to $10,000).
A NSW Government-funded pilot initiative delivered by CSIRO that connects NSW businesses with paid tertiary student interns to work on decarbonisation projects. Businesses receive up to $2,500 to help cover intern wages, end-to-end recruitment support, and the opportunity to build long-term talent pipelines. Students gain paid work experience (minimum 200 hours at $25/hour) on real-world net zero projects with dedicated mentorship and industry connections.
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Funding Initiative provides up to $30 million to support the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Australia using renewable feedstocks. This initiative targets the aviation sector, identified as a hard-to-abate industry, to unlock market opportunities from Australia's bioenergy sector through advanced biofuels production.
This grant provides $46.3 million to deploy community batteries across Australia to lower energy bills, cut emissions, reduce pressure on the electricity grid, and enable further distributed solar installations. Community batteries are shared energy storage systems that support household solar installations and help stabilize the electricity network.
This opportunity is closed and no longer accepting applications. It previously encompassed two programs: the Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program, which supported research, development and demonstration of new biofuel technologies and feedstocks for sustainable biofuels industry development in Australia; and the Solar Flagships Program, which supported construction and demonstration of large-scale, grid-connected solar power stations to enable solar power to play a significant role in Australia's electricity supply.
A program delivered by 2XE Pty. Ltd. that helps small and family businesses increase their knowledge of environmental sustainability and adopt sustainable practices to reduce emissions. The program includes one-on-one sustainability consultations and a subsidised Business Sustainability Assessment ($500 ex GST) to develop a clear action plan with financial benefits.
The NSW Environmental Trust funds projects that enhance the environment of New South Wales. Projects are selected through consultation with key stakeholders and must align with the Trust's strategic priorities for conserving, protecting and rehabilitating the NSW environment.
The NSW Environmental Trust administers multiple grant programs concerned with managing waste. These programs support projects that address waste management challenges across NSW.
The NSW Environmental Trust funds projects that tackle large or complex environmental issues. Major projects are identified and designed through consultation with key stakeholders.
An early-stage pre-accelerator program supporting founders with startups operating within the circular economy. Over 12 intensive weeks, expert facilitators and coaches help founders launch their circular startup idea to market, with a focus on innovations that reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, or promote sustainable production and consumption practices.
Support for Victorian businesses who are heavily reliant on native timber to transition and make informed decisions about their future. Closed on 31 Dec 2024
Grant information is sourced from official government websites and updated regularly. Program details, eligibility and closing dates change — always verify with the official source before applying. Last data update: February 2026.