SA Small Business Energy Grants

Up to $20 million in total funding is available
Grants providing 50% matched funding from $2,500 to $50,000
Round 2 opened on the 27th of August on a first-come-first-serve basis until 29 November 2024

The South Australian Government's Economic Recovery Fund is offering up to $20 million to assist 8,000 small businesses and not-for-profits to purchase energy efficient equipment or implement energy-saving improvements.

The Small Business Energy Grants program is part of the South Australian Government's Economic Recovery Fund which is offering matched funding grants from $2,500 up to $50,000 for not-for-profits and small businesses to enhance energy use and associated costs. After investing in these energy saving measures, your costs will be subsidised by up to 50%.

Key Requirements

The South Australian Government has allocated $154.2 million to the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) to help businesses and industries create secure, well-paid jobs, enhance productivity, achieve efficiencies, increase exports, and support innovative, value-adding technologies in South Australia.

Under Round 2 of the ERF, a total of $20 million is available for grants through the Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants Program, designed to help eligible small businesses and not-for-profits invest in energy-efficient equipment or enhancements to lower and manage their energy consumption and expenses.

If you’re an eligible small business or not-for-profit, you can apply for a Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant to offset the cost of new energy-efficient equipment. This grant allows you to recover up to half of your investment, with 50% matched funding from the government providing between $2,500 and $50,000 for purchases ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 (excluding GST).

The funding will help businesses to implement more energy-efficient practices, offer environmentally friendly products and services, minimise and reduce waste, as well as embrace new technologies and processes.

Businesses have six months from the date the Grant Agreement and Acceptance Form is sent to complete purchases and installation, as well as to apply for reimbursement.

What is eligible for funding?

In order to qualify for funding businesses must investment in energy efficient purchases which include:

Power supply and generation
Electrical and lighting
Energy-efficient appliances rated 4 stars or higher
Cooling, heating and refrigeration systems
Water heating solutions
Motors, fans, pumps and compressors
Building upgrades
Process automation, controls and optimisation
Other innovative projects or equipment
Costs for delivery, installation and commissioning of equipment purchased under this program
Costs for decommissioning, removal, and disposal of any old equipment to be replaced

What companies are eligible for funding?

In order to be eligible businesses must:

Hold a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN)
Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) as of the commencement date of this funding round (29 August 2024). Not-for-profit organisations that are not GST-registered must submit their most recent lodged tax return, confirming an annual turnover exceeding $75,000
Be based and operating in South Australia and classified as a small business electricity customer (including not-for-profits) on a separately metered business tariff with their electricity retailer, consuming less than 160 MWh of electricity per year. Or, if this does not apply, have an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million for the 2023-24 financial year.
Not operate as a home-based business
Not be categorised as a public company under the Corporations Act 2001
Own or lease the business premises where any work or goods will be installed or used (cannot be a residential property)
Be prepared to provide matched funding of at least 50% of eligible costs

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

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