NSW Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program

NSW Net Zero Industry and Innovation – High emitting industries

  • Applications are open until: 31 December 2026
  • Allocated funds: up to $305 million

The NSW Government’s Office of Energy and Climate Chang offers funds to the NSW industry and mining facilities (High Emitting Industries) that emit more than 0.09 MtCO2e per year in order to reduce their emissions beyond current predictions. Funding (High Emitting Industries Funding) is available to support the development and implementation of decarbonisation initiatives, focusing on scope 1 emissions reduction.

Key Requirements

An application must meet all eligibility criteria in both the fast track assessment (Stage 1) and complete application (Stage 2) stages to be considered for High Emitting Industries (HEI) funding. These eligibility requirements apply to both pre-deployment and deployment tasks.

Criteria Stage 1 Stage 2
Eligibility criterion 1: Eligible applicant Public commitment to decarbonise

Public commitment to decarbonise Insurance certificates of currency, including:

  • property insurance
  • fidelity insurance
  • employee insurance
  • public liability insurance.

Unqualified audit report for company financial statements
Eligibility criterion 2: Eligible project

Implementation letter of intent pre-deployment project only projects

Roadmap for Decarbonization

Proof of facility location

Letter expressing support to keep output equal to or greater than current levels after 2030

Implementation letter of intent pre-deployment project, projects on;y

Roadmap for Decarbonization

Letter of support for Emissions reduction project intensity
Merit criterion 1: Emissions reduction to be achieved Completed emission reduction and production data/model template

Engineering assistance case studies or estimates to demonstrate the estimated possible volume of abatement

All emissions and output data sources, data inputs computations and assumptions

All data inputs, sources, and outputs computations, assumptions used in sensitivity testing

Details and qualifications of person or company who will data reporting/verification of emissions
Merit criterion 2: Technical feasibility of the project Project technical information

Technical specifics information

Due diligence and third-party reviews

Details of similar projects as available, including:

  • scope
  • emissions impact
  • financial overview
  • key issues
  • differences to the applicant’s current project

Copies of pertinent approvals
Merit criterion 3: Financial feasibility of the project and value for money Completed financial information/template design

Every financial data input, assumptions and supporting evidence

Plan for capital financing that includes corroborating evidence from investors
Merit criterion 4: Project delivery Relevant case studies

Past case studies completed projects in the room for decarbonisation or other significant infrastructure projects for both candidates and critical supply chain partners

Quotes and proposals from suppliers with plans that include risk management

Collaboration or partnership letters of intent, agreement or other papers containing proof that all significant project partners are ready and authorised to begin work

Authorisation from the company, i.e. board meeting minutes

Opportunities and studies conducted analyses to date

Register of project risks and mitigation strategy
Merit criterion 5: Alignment to NSW Government strategic objectives and economic growth N/A and/or economic model physical examination that includes assumptions and computations that help with quantifying economic advantages
Merit criterion 6: Knowledge sharing N/A Knowledge sharing plan

 

What is eligible for funding?

A material or intangible impact on the ability of the applicant to comply with its responsibilities under the funding agreement or completion of the project.

  • agree to comply with any additional requests for information provided by the office
  • all Australian state governments must be made public commonwealth government and territorial government funds were requested in regard to the project, including applications made in the last five years (both successful and unsuccessful)
  • be the beneficial and legal owner of, or possess all required rights to use as well as any intellectual property license needed to complete the project
  • have made a public pledge to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint at the executive/board level

The applicant must confirm that the project:

  • will occur in NSW
  • will be fully completed (pre-deployment developments) or fully operational and operating (deployment projects) by 30 June 2030
  • will be installed in a facility that emits more than 0.09 MtCO2e per year (per the National Glasshouse Organisation).
    and statistics from the National Grid Energy Reporting (NGER) plan commencing in 2018-2019)
  • will contain a minimum of co-investment 50% of the eligible costs (see Appendix C) of the project by the applicant’s organisation or through Partnership agreements
    non-affiliated organisations with the NSW Government. increased cash donations to eligible costs are prefered
  • continues to align with the existing long-term business plan at current operational capacity or greater capability after 2030
  • has the commitment of organisation (at the executive/board level) level) that will be implemented if the pre-deployment project demonstrate the opportunity’s viability
  • corresponds to a published or reliable source plan for decarbonisation of the sector, business, or facility of the applicant or a geographical area that incorporates technical as well as commercial factors for decarbonisation
  • will result in a reduction in emissions production intensity
  • to progress, NSW Government co-funding is required
  • exceeds the target for emissions reduction any applicable statutory obligations

What companies are eligible for funding?

The applicant must:

  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • affirm that they are a legal entity in Australia lawfully registered under the Corporations Act. The Act of 2001 (Cth). Maintain and follow any authorisations that are required relevant to the conduct of the company’s business the candidate
  • be categorised as Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification of New Zealand Manufacturing codes (ANZSIC)or even mining
  • hold all required insurance, as well as public liability insurance and recompense for workers
  • materially adhere to all:
    • duties as a result of employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements as well as honours
    • applicable rules of conduct and practise to service conditions and the relationships between the applicant and employees of the applicant
    • relevant workplace health and safety regulations regislation concerning safety.
  • not be subject to any type of insolvency, including an order’s subject or resolution for dissolution or wound up (save for the purposes of reconstruction or fusion) or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, or trustee or something similar
  • not seen on the Australian Foreign Ministry of the Government Trade sanctions and international affairs a compiled list
  • identify any legal processes or litigation, as well as investigations conciliation, mediation, or arbitration taking place, pending, or (to the best of my knowledge) after having assessed the applicant’s expertise and made a thorough investigation) threatened you or a linked corporate body (Claims) (as specified in the Corporations Act) to the degree that such Claims:
    • influences, could impact, or is considered to effect could have an impact on the reputation of the State of New South Wales (together with its officers, Ministers and workers)
    • conflicts with, may conflict with, or is related to seen to be at odds with the potential funding or your responsibilities under the additional financing agreement or project generally
    • refers to an Authority looking into the conformity of the applicant with any legislation, law or regulation
    • relate to or come from any related difficulties Environmental Protection Permits issued by the NSW Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • impacts (materially or otherwise) the applicant’s ability to comply with its obligations under the funding agreement or to complete the project.
  • agree to comply with any further requests for information by the office
  • disclose all Australian state government, territory government and Commonwealth Government grants applied for in relation to the project, including applications made over the last 5
    years (including both successful and unsuccessful applications)
  • be the legal and beneficial owner of, or have all necessary rights to use and licence, any intellectual property necessary to carry out the project
  • have a public commitment to decarbonise the facility from the executive/board level.

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.