AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF)

  • Funding is available through three streams
  • Major Grants ($50K-$250K) 
  • Energy Resilience Grants ($5K-$50K) 
  • Energy Education & Literacy Grants ($5K-$25K)
  • Next round expected to open in late February 2026

AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF) supports projects that build and strengthen community energy resilience across AusNet’s Victorian electricity distribution area. As severe weather events become more frequent and prolonged power outages more likely, the ERCF funds practical, locally led solutions that help communities prepare for, operate during, and recover after outages.

Key Requirements

  • Deliver measurable community energy resilience Projects must improve a community’s ability to operate safely during prolonged outages, with clear outcomes, reach, and methods for measuring impact.
  • Be located within AusNet’s electricity distribution area The project site must sit within AusNet’s network in Victoria and demonstrate local need and benefit.
  • Demonstrate feasibility and readiness Provide a realistic delivery plan, milestones, budget (with contingency), and quotes (mandatory for Major and Energy Resilience Grants).
  • Engage community and partners Evidence collaboration with councils, community organisations, small businesses, and other funders; include letters of support and avoid competing applications from the same community.
  • Show financial viability and governance Identify confirmed co‑funding or in‑kind support (if applicable), document delivery partners, and commit to reporting and acquittal requirements.
  • Align with network/technical constraints (where relevant) Front‑of‑meter solutions (e.g., community batteries) require early discussion with AusNet to address network considerations.

 

What is eligible for funding?

  • Major assets and hubs: Community “shower and power” centres; modifications to make facilities outage‑ready.
  • Mobile resilience infrastructure: Trailer‑mounted generators; mobile kitchens, cool rooms, or showers.
  • Generation and storage: Community batteries (subject to network discussions); solar + battery systems at critical premises; smaller‑scale systems across multiple sites.
  • Business continuity for essential services: Backup generation and storage for critical small businesses.
  • Skills and education: Training local technicians to install/maintain resilience equipment; resources and programs that educate communities on outage preparedness and safe energy use.

 

What companies are eligible for funding?

  • Local councils within AusNet’s electricity distribution area.
  • Community and charitable organisations, including social enterprises.
  • Small businesses and sole traders that provide essential services and/or act as community resilience hubs during severe weather or prolonged outages (sole traders must have a valid ABN and annual turnover ≤ AU$10m).
  • Organisations not based within the network may be eligible where projects are delivered within AusNet’s distribution area (discuss with ERCF Manager before applying)

 

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.