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First Nations community meeting discussing clean energy development opportunities

First Nations Clean Energy Program – Advice Grants

  • Grant funding available:
    • Minimum funding: $5,000
    • Maximum funding: $80,000 per application
  • Applications close: 3 September 2026

The First Nations Clean Energy Program – Advice Grants supports First Nations organisations to build capability and confidence to participate in clean energy development opportunities. Funding supports access to professional advice, engagement activities, and capacity‑building to help First Nations communities make informed decisions about clean energy projects.

Key Requirements

  • Projects must increase the capacity, capability or confidence of First Nations communities to engage with clean energy opportunities
  • Activities must support informed decision‑making, negotiation or participation in clean energy development
  • Funding supports advisory, engagement and preparatory activities only

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must be:

  • A First Nations organisation or group based in Australia, or
  • A partnership led by a First Nations organisation (including auspiced arrangements where the auspice holds the ABN)

Funding cannot be used for:

  • Individuals applying in a personal capacity
  • Government bodies
  • Purchase of land
  • Capital works or major construction
  • Overseas travel
  • Retrospective costs

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants are First Nations organisations or groups that can demonstrate authority, governance and capability to deliver activities that benefit First Nations communities in relation to clean energy development opportunities.

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.