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NSW Net Zero Planning Grant – Round 2

NSW Net Zero Planning Grant – Round 2

  • Funding Pool: $2 million total available in Round 2
  • Grants of up to: $25,000, covering up to 50% of project costs
    • Milestone 1: up to $2,000 (excluding GST) to identify key net zero actions
    • Milestone 2: up to $23,000 (excluding GST) to deliver detailed net zero planning work
  • Applications assessed on a rolling basis and close 30 November 2026 or earlier if funding runs out
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The Net Zero Planning Grant helps NSW businesses plan their path to net zero. Funding covers specialist consultants who help businesses understand their emissions, set targets, assess climate risks and opportunities, and identify the actions needed to cut emissions.

The grant runs in two stages. Milestone 1 assesses where the business sits across the nine elements of the NSW Net Zero Business Guide and identifies priority actions. Milestone 2 funds detailed work on those actions, such as a greenhouse gas inventory, net zero targets or a net zero action plan.

Round 1 funded 46 organisations across manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, retail and other sectors. The grant is part of the $22 million Business Decarbonisation Program.

Key Requirements

Eligibility

  • Hold an ABN and be registered for GST
  • Have a NSW site address and business operations in NSW
  • Spend at least $200,000 a year on energy at a single NSW site, or $500,000 a year across multiple NSW sites, including all purchased fuels

Exclusions

  • Businesses, or related entities, that have received or will receive funding under any round of the Net Zero Planning Grant
  • Businesses receiving other NSW Government funding for the same activities
  • Commonwealth, state and local government entities
  • Safeguard facilities under the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism
  • Group 1 reporting entities, or related entities, required to prepare a sustainability report under section 292A of the Corporations Act 2001

Delivery requirements

  • Both milestones must be delivered by external specialist consultants chosen by the business
  • Milestone 2 actions must follow the key actions of the Net Zero Business Guide and align with recognised frameworks such as the GHG Protocol or Science Based Targets initiative
  • Funded work must relate only to NSW operations

Applicants should read the Net Zero Planning Grant Round 2 funding guidelines before applying.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding covers specialist consultant services delivering the two milestones, at prevailing market rates.

Milestone 1 – net zero planning
Engagement sessions using the net zero planning tool to assess progress across the nine elements of the Guide: strategy, governance, people and capability, data, targets, action planning, finance, stakeholder engagement and reporting. This produces a report setting out actions for Milestone 2.

Milestone 2 – net zero implementation
Detailed work on the actions identified in Milestone 1, such as:

  • Climate-related risk and opportunity assessments
  • Greenhouse gas inventories covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
  • Near-term and long-term emissions reduction targets
  • Long, medium and short-term net zero action plans and financial plans
  • Net zero governance structures, stakeholder engagement plans and voluntary disclosure reports

What companies are eligible for funding?

NSW businesses with an ABN, GST registration and NSW operations that meet the annual energy spend threshold. Trusts must show evidence of authority to apply and enter the funding deed.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Entitlement. Your applications will be assessed on a pass/fail basis against three criteria:

  • Objectives: shows alignment with the grant objectives and commitment to working towards net zero
  • Quality: information provided is accurate, current and legible
  • Risks: no unacceptable reputational or delivery risks, such as pending legal action, media controversy or lack of financial capacity

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here. 

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? 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.