Open NowBusinessRound 1
First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1
Australian Government · Australia
Funding for First Nations communities to participate in clean energy development. Grants support advisory services, staff engagement, training and related activities so communities can build skills, access support and make informed decisions about clean energy opportunities.
Funding
$5K – $80K
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
up to 2 years and 7 months
Location
Australia
Who Can Apply
• Applicant must be a First Nations organisation or group.
• Applicant must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN), or apply through an eligible auspicing organisation with an ABN.
• Eligible entities include Australian incorporated entities, Indigenous land management organisations, registered land councils, entities managing land rights or native title agreements, Australian incorporated not-for-profit associations or cooperatives, Australian incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust, and partnerships based in Australia.
• Project must be located in Australia.
• Project must be completed by 2028-03-31.
• Project must increase the capacity, capability and confidence of First Nations communities to lead, participate in or respond to clean energy development opportunities and engage with clean energy developers.
• Applicant must have eligible project expenditure.
• Individuals are not eligible.
• Unincorporated associations are not eligible.
• Trusts are not eligible unless applying through an incorporated trustee.
• Commonwealth, state, territory and local government bodies are not eligible.
• Non-First Nations groups or organisations are not eligible.
• Insolvent, bankrupt or similar organisations are not eligible.
• Employers of 100 or more employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 are not eligible.
• Regional Development Australia Committees are not eligible.
• Organisations on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join are not eligible.
Applicants must be a First Nations organisation or group, have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and be an eligible entity. Eligible entities include an entity incorporated in Australia (including corporations and Indigenous land management organisations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations), a registered land council representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or an entity that manages or holds land rights, native title or other Traditional Owner related agreements and settlements, an Australian incorporated not for profit association or cooperative, an Australian incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust, or a partnership based in Australia. Applicants may apply on behalf of another First Nations group without an ABN through an auspicing arrangement, provided the auspicing organisation holds an ABN and meets the eligibility criteria. Ineligible applicants include organisations not listed as eligible, organisations on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join, insolvent or bankrupt organisations, employers of 100 or more employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, individuals, Regional Development Australia Committees, unincorporated associations, trusts without an incorporated trustee, government bodies, non-corporate Commonwealth entities, and non-First Nations groups or organisations. Projects must be located in Australia, be completed by 2028-03-31, and aim to increase the capacity, capability and confidence of First Nations communities to lead, participate or respond to clean energy development opportunities and engage with clean energy developers and opportunities. Applicants must also have eligible expenditure.
What's Funded
Eligible activities include procurement of consulting, expert or professional advice; meetings and engagement with Traditional Owners, Native Title holders and other First Nations peoples; engagement of representatives to negotiate with clean energy developers; employment of staff; training, skills and information activities; business planning and governance capability development; and reasonable administrative or incremental project costs. Funding can be used for legal, financial and technical advice, renewable resource mapping, community representation, monitoring and reporting, and community benefit agreements.Expected Outcomes
Projects are expected to increase the capacity, capability and confidence of First Nations communities to lead, participate in or respond to clean energy development opportunities, improve engagement with clean energy developers, build project skills and knowledge, increase access to technical and professional support, and deliver greater participation and benefits from clean energy development.Key Information
Applicant Types
non_profitcooperativetrustpartnershipindigenous_organisationother
Stage
any
Funding Purposes
sustainabilitytrainingcommunityother
Keywords
First Nationsclean energyrenewable energycommunity engagementadvisory servicescapacity buildingtechnical advicelegal advice
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1?
The First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1 is a business grant offered by Australian Government in Australia, providing $5K – $80K in funding. Funding for First Nations communities to participate in clean energy development. Grants support advisory services, staff engagement, training and related activities so communities can build skills, access support and make informed decisions about clean energy opportunities.
2
How much funding does the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1 provide?
The First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1 provides $5K – $80K in funding. The typical project duration is up to 2 years and 7 months.
3
Who is eligible for the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1?
- Applicant must be a First Nations organisation or group.
- Applicant must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN), or apply through an eligible auspicing organisation with an ABN.
- Eligible entities include Australian incorporated entities, Indigenous land management organisations, registered land councils, entities managing land rights or native title agreements, Australian incorporated not-for-profit associations or cooperatives, Australian incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust, and partnerships based in Australia.
- Project must be located in Australia.
- Project must be completed by 2028-03-31.
- Project must increase the capacity, capability and confidence of First Nations communities to lead, participate in or respond to clean energy development opportunities and engage with clean energy developers.
- Applicant must have eligible project expenditure.
- Individuals are not eligible.
- Unincorporated associations are not eligible.
- Trusts are not eligible unless applying through an incorporated trustee.
- Commonwealth, state, territory and local government bodies are not eligible.
- Non-First Nations groups or organisations are not eligible.
- Insolvent, bankrupt or similar organisations are not eligible.
- Employers of 100 or more employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 are not eligible.
- Regional Development Australia Committees are not eligible.
- Organisations on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join are not eligible.
4
When does the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1 close?
Applications close on 3 Sept 2026. This is a rolling program — new rounds may open.
5
What activities are funded?
Eligible activities include procurement of consulting, expert or professional advice; meetings and engagement with Traditional Owners, Native Title holders and other First Nations peoples; engagement of representatives to negotiate with clean energy developers; employment of staff; training, skills and information activities; business planning and governance capability development; and reasonable administrative or incremental project costs. Funding can be used for legal, financial and technical advice, renewable resource mapping, community representation, monitoring and reporting, and community benefit agreements.
6
How do I apply for the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants Round 1?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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