Eligibility

1. have a valid and active ABN;
2. be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the time this founding round commenced (27 August 2024). Not-for-profit organisations that are not registered for GST will need to provide their most recent lodged tax return confirming annual turnover was greater than $75,000;
3. be located and operating in South Australia; and
   1. be a small business electricity customer (including not-for-profit) that is on a separately metered business tariff with their electricity retailer and consumes less than 160MWh of electricity per year*; or (if you do not meet this criteria)
   2. have an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2023‑24
      [Note the information you provide with your application will be verified against information held by Revenue SA];
4. not be a home-based business i.e. operating primarily from the owner’s, or an employee’s, residence;
   
5. not be a public company within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001;
6. own or lease the business premises where any work or goods will be installed or used (this premise cannot be a residential property); and
   
7. be able to provide matched funding of at least 50 per cent of eligible costs.

Embedded electricity networks

*If your business is part of an embedded network and does not receive an electricity bill either directly from an energy retailer or the building owner, you may still be eligible to apply if you can provide a copy of lodged PAYG statements confirming Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2023‑24.

Business applicants on embedded networks would need to seek their landlord’s permission should they wish to undertake any improvements to the premises. As part of the application, you will be required to declare that you have obtained permission from your landlord. Joint applications from a group of businesses on an embedded network are encouraged.

Applicants that are part of an embedded network are encouraged to agree with their landlord how the benefit of the energy efficiency investment will be returned to the applicant/group of businesses, rather than the landlord.

The funding must only be used for eligible project activity and equipment costs that the recipient incurs. Please refer to the Eligible Project Activities and Equipment List.

The funding cannot be applied to costs incurred for any of the following:

• Work completed by the applicant, an employee of the applicant, or a related entity. Funding must be used for costs incurred through a third-party provider.
• Equipment purchases that are:
  • not used for the primary purpose or operations of the business
  • not related to improving the energy efficiency of the business (e.g. equipment for domestic use or that is primarily for another type of activity at your site)
  • televisions, entertainment systems, laptops, computers and associated equipment
  • used or second-hand equipment
  • vehicles (new or used) including electric vehicle chargers
  • solar panels installed without battery storage
  • equipment with an energy efficiency rating of less than 4 of 6 stars, where energy ratings are applied
  • unrelated to energy efficiency improvements
  • for the replacement of equipment that is broken or no longer functional.
• Project development costs such as early-stage feasibility studies, business case development, due diligence, proofs of concept or quotations.
• Ongoing operating and overhead costs including, but not limited to, wages and salaries, recruitment, training and mentoring, procurement fees, rent or other property costs, maintenance and repair costs, utilities, vehicles, furniture.
• Costs associated with switching from electricity to gas.
• Costs of financing, interest and insurance.
• Costs of preparing an application under this Program

For the purposes of this Program, ‘related entity’ means:

1. An entity which controls the Applicant or their business, or which is controlled by the Applicant or their business;
2. Where the Applicant business is controlled by an entity (the Principal Entity), any other entity which is controlled by the Principal Entity;
3. An entity which has an investment in the Applicant or their business;
4. An entity in which the Applicant or their business has an investment;
5. An employee of the Applicant business;
6. Any other entity which, in the opinion of the Minister, is related to the Applicant or their business.

Applicants must provide the following as part of their application:

• Their ABN
• A Certificate of Currency for any business insurance policy [if the business does not have an insurance policy, the form will give the applicant the option to provide their most recent Business Activity Statement issues by the ATO].
• Copies of energy bills covering the previous 12 months.
• For businesses that are on a separately metered business tariff with their electricity retailer or consume more than 160MWh of electricity per year – a copy of lodged PAYG statements confirming Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2023 24.
• A copy of the business’ bank statement, which must show the bank name and logo, business’ bank account name(s), BSB and account number.
• Evidence of the reduced energy consumption of the proposed expenditure, where applicable The ‘Energy Consumption Reduction Calculator’ available on the website will need to be completed as part of the application.
• For not-for-profit organisations that are not GST registered – a copy of their most recently lodged tax return.
• For businesses on an embedded network applying together – a list of all businesses applying together and their ABNs.
• For unique projects submitted in accordance with section 9 of the Eligible Project Activities and Equipment List (below), additional information will be sought as outlined in the application form, including (but not limited to) energy source, usage rates, power rating and details of equipment being replaced/upgraded.
• Evidence of proposed goods or service/s to be purchased, including:

For grant applications up to $15,000 (total business spend up to $30,000)

• at least one quote from a third-party provider for the work(s) to be undertaken at the applicant’s business address; and/or
• at least one quote from a third-party provider for each of the proposed goods to be purchased (including links to or screenshots of an Australian retailer’s online site showing pricing and evidence of energy efficiency rating, where applicable).

For grant applications of $15,001 to $50,000 each (total business spend up to $100,000)

• copies of a minimum of two quotes undertaken by third party providers to confirm the work(s) to be undertaken at the applicant’s business address (if applicable, rationale for selecting a higher quote will be required); and/or
• at least two quotes from a third-party provider for each of the proposed goods to be purchased (including links to or screenshots of an Australian retailer’s online site showing pricing and evidence of energy efficiency rating, where applicable).

Successful applicants must provide evidence of purchase and proof of payment when claiming reimbursement, along with any relevant Certificate of Compliance for installations.

• Install battery storage systems for renewable energy
• Install biomass generation systems
• Install control equipment for energy efficiency
• Install micro wind turbines (if location permits)
• Install solar panels with accompanying battery storage
• Replace or expand switchboards or electricity distribution to facilitate electrification of equipment
• Install voltage optimisation devices

• Install automatic lighting control equipment
• Replace non-LED lighting and signage with LED variants
• Install occupancy sensors/motion sensors for lighting
• Install smart power strips

• Replace air conditioners
• Replace clothes dryers and clothes washers
• Replace dishwashers
• Replace refrigerators and freezers
• Replace pool pumps

• Replace boilers
• Replace HVAC equipment and systems including air conditioning units, chillers, compressor and condensers, with higher efficiency units or components
• Install HVAC system controls e.g. programmable thermostats
• Install refrigeration system controls
• Replace existing fossil fuel or inefficient electric powered equipment for heating, drying or cooling with a heat pump system equivalent
• Install heat recovery processes
• Replace refrigeration unit or freezer, including walk-in refrigerator, refrigerated display case, refrigerated vending machine, with a new high efficiency unit
• Upgrade insulation for refrigeration systems
• Upgrade insulation on a cool room or upgrade a cool room to be airtight
• Install night blinds, glass doors/lids and/or rapid close doors on refrigerated spaces

• Replace an existing hot water system with a more efficient new heat pump or solar thermal hot water heater
• Replace an existing pool heater with a new heat pump or solar thermal pool heating system
• Install insulation for hot water systems

• Replace a motor with a higher efficiency motor, or a lower power motor that is better matched to its duty point.
• Replace a pump, fan or compressor with a more energy efficient equivalent
• Optimise compressed air storage
• Install variable speed drive units for existing motors, pumps, fans and compressors

• Upgrade building sealing e.g. install draught proofing, weather stripping or airtight seals
• Install external shading to protect windows against sunlight
• Install or upgrade to heavyweight or insulating window blinds (where lightweight or no coverings were previously installed)
• Install or upgrade insulation in roofs, ceiling or walls
• Replace or upgrade existing windows and doors energy efficient variants (e.g. double/triple glazed)

• Install automated energy monitoring and management software
• Install Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
• Install sensors, meters, and automation equipment for process optimisation
• Install smart building technology (Internet of Things (IoT) devices for energy management)
• Reconfigure systems for energy reduction in heating, cooling, compressed air

• Other projects or equipment not listed above will be considered if the project:
  • exceeds $20,000 in total project/equipment value (excluding GST); and
  • will improve energy efficiency and lead to an ongoing reduction in energy usage/consumption and costs.

Note additional evidence requirements will apply and projects submitted under this clause will undergo a third-party assessment to verify energy efficiency.

You can include the cost of delivery, installation and commissioning related to equipment purchased under this program.

You can also include the cost of decommissioning, removal and disposal of any old equipment being replaced.

You are not eligible if you purchase equipment that is not related to the primary nature and type of the business, even if it’s energy efficient.

Installation requirements

Eligible equipment requiring installation must be installed by a licensed contractor qualified under relevant South Australian laws and holding a current South Australian Trade Licence. As part of your application, you are required to provide a Certificate of Compliance or Electronic Certificate of Compliance for all installations.