Small Grants to support industry and community-led organisations to investigate, develop and implement renewable energy initiatives to support Victoria’s transitions to net zero by 2050.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
What is the New Energy Jobs Fund?
The New Energy Jobs Fund (NEJF) supports the Victorian Government’s commitment to a renewable energy target of 50% by 2030, embracing a transition to clean energy.
The NEJF has delivered targeted funding to industry and community-led organisations, supporting business cases and feasibility studies, new energy demonstrations, through to implementation ready renewable energy projects.
The Fund is a key component of the $200 million Future Industries Fund to support high growth, high-value industries. It continues to fund new and innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency feasibility studies, business cases and implementation ready capital works projects to support Victoria’s renewable energy transition delivering jobs and broad social and environmental benefits.
What is the level of support of the New Energy Jobs Fund?
Grant
- Up to $1 million in total grant funding is available
- Projects seeking grant funding of less than $100,000 will be considered more favourably
- Multiple applications for different projects are permitted
Co-contribution
- Applicants are required to make a monetary (cash) co-contribution
- In-kind co-contributions are permitted
- Applicants will be considered favourably if the co-contribution amount is 50% or higher of the total project value and the co-contribution consists of 80% or higher monetary contribution
- Funding from other non-state government sources can be counted as part of the co-contribution
What are the important dates of the New Energy Jobs Fund?
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
What are the objectives and outcomes of the New Energy Jobs Fund?
The NEJF objective is to deliver a broad range of renewable energy and energy efficiency feasibility studies, business cases and implementation ready capital works projects to support Victoria’s transitions to net zero by 2050.
It aims to drive innovation of new energy technologies, support renewable energy jobs and local content, and deliver broad social, economic and environmental benefits.
Projects should demonstrate they will support some, or all, of the following considerations:
- increase the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions
- create and support renewable energy jobs in Victoria
- where possible, utilise local content i.e., skills and services, to deliver the project, and
- deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits to communities and businesses in Victoria.
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects that will benefit a broad array of stakeholders, increase energy efficiency, and support the adoption and utilisation of renewable energy.
How to get New Energy Jobs Fund funding?
Applicants should read and understand the guidelines and FAQs on the funding website.
Successful applicants will provide a compelling case against all assessment criteria. They will clearly identify a problem or opportunity, how it will be addressed and who will benefit, describe in detail the capacity and capability of the project team to manage the project, and detail a project plan that will successfully deliver the project in its entirety within the proposed implementation timeline.
Applicants will be considered favourably if the co-contribution amount is 50% or higher of the total project value and the co-contribution consists of 80% or higher monetary contribution. In-kind contribution means a non-monetary contribution. Please refer to the project budget/cashflow template on how ‘in-kind’ is defined. In-kind contributions can be included as part of your co-contribution.
- Monetary contribution + in-kind contribution + grant funding sought = Total Project Value
- Monetary contribution + in-kind contribution = Co-contribution
Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight.
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered.
Check out How to write a successful grant application to learn more about how to win government grants for your business. Our in-depth eBook is the single most valuable resource you will find that helps organisations to truly understand how to win government grants. Follow the link to get your copy of the Guide to Winning Grants.
Is my organisation eligible for the New Energy Jobs Fund?
Eligible organisations must:
- operate in Victoria
- provide evidence of how long it has been in operation to date
- have an ABN
The lead applicant must be one of the following:
- a commercial-for-profit
- a not-for-profit entity, co-operative, or social enterprise
- a Victorian local government
- a Victorian State Government Public Entity
Applicants can partner with other organisations with one applicant agreeing to be the lead applicant.
Previous recipients of NEJF Rounds One to Five may apply again.
What projects are eligible for the New Energy Jobs Fund?
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects that will benefit a broad array of stakeholders, increase energy efficiency and support the adoption and utilisation of renewable energy and new energy technologies.
Applicants must be able demonstrate their project will:
- increase the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions
- reduce or plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- use commercially ready renewable energy or energy efficiency technology if implementing a capital works project
- be located in Victoria
- have confirmed co-funding
and will be viewed favourably if they:
- are ready to begin immediately upon execution of a funding agreement
- create or support long-term sustainable jobs
- drive innovation in new energy technologies
- require less than $100,000 in grant funding
- be 50% co-funded by the applicant or consortium
Projects must be completed by 31 December 2023.
Funding will not support:
- feasibility studies or business cases that have already commenced
- projects that have already commenced construction
- routine or ongoing maintenance works
- salaries and staffing expenses
- land acquisition
- recurrent operating costs
Full details of projects funded in Round 5 NEJF are displayed below.
How do you apply for the New Energy Jobs Fund?
Applications are now open via the Vic Gov’t Grants Online Portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to learn more on the process.
What information do I need to prepare for lodging a New Energy Jobs Fund application?
The following supporting documentation must be attached to your application:
- project cashflow/budget
- project delivery schedule
- project risk register
- project plan
Templates are available and must be used. Each are provided on the funding website.
What is the assessment criteria of the New Energy Jobs Fund?
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Why are you doing this project? – describe the problem or opportunity that this project is addressing – describe the extent to which the project addresses the identified problem or opportunity, and – describe how does this aligns with the NEJF program objectives | 25% |
| 2 | What will be delivered? – details of what will be delivered (including technical design and delivery methodology) – work done to date to ensure the project is ready for implementation (business case, feasibility studies, quotes, other relevant market research or any other evidence) – details on the timeline for delivery, including identification of any critical path items – projects must have completion dates on or before 31 December 2023, and – the location of the project and provide information / evidence to support viability of the location (e.g. letter of support from a landlord or similar) (if applicable). | 40% |
| 3 | Who will benefit? – clearly outline and quantify the economic and environmental benefits – provide details of a proposed strategy to use local content and suppliers, and | 10% |
| 4 | How will the project be delivered? – describe how the grant funding will be used and justify why this is the appropriate use of the funds (including completing the prescribed budget template) – detail co-contribution funding secured (including in-kind), and, if any, additional funding sources required for the project and the timing for this funding to be secured, and – describe in detail the capability and capacity of the lead applicant to manage the project, including examples of similar works completed | 25% |
Need help applying for the New Energy Jobs Fund?
Is your business eligible for this government grant? Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?
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Get started now by filling in the form below, or tap the ‘Book a Discovery Call’ button to schedule a no-obligation virtual meeting with an experienced government grants consultant.
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I want to learn more about the New Energy Jobs Fund
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Projects supported in round 5 of the New Energy Jobs Fund?
| Walwa Bush Nursing Centre | Installation of solar panels and batteries to lower emissions and power costs for the facility. The system includes a smart energy control device for visualisation by management and supports community participation in distributed energy resources market programs. |
| Bendigo Sustainability Group | The Group will design, project manage the construction, and operate a 100kW small-scale community solar farm in the Bendigo region to generate income for further renewable energy projects, with plans to provide a community energy retail offer. |
| Energy Innovation Cooperative Limited | Installation of a solar and battery system at Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House. On-site displays will help users of the centre to understand and reduce their energy consumption. |
| Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions Inc | Installation of solar PV on buildings owned by PINARC, a Ballarat based not-for-profit association providing services to around 1,000 children and adults with disabilities, their families, and carers across the Grampians Region. |
| Gippsland Climate Change Network | Installation of solar PV systems on two local businesses to establish an independent income stream based on lease arrangements with the businesses. Income will finance other community energy projects. |
| Totally Renewable Yackandandah | A partnership with Indigo Power for a pilot study of what will be the first community owned behind the meter solar power system used to supply local retail electricity customers in Australia. A solar array combined with battery storage will support customers without solar PV. |
| Hockey Ballarat | Installation of a solar panel system at Prince of Wales Park to reduce carbon emissions and power costs and help ease financial barriers to participation in playing hockey. |
| Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club | Installation of a solar powered system to reduce power costs and emissions and generate stronger awareness of energy use for all club members. Savings will be redirected to serving the Bell Park sporting community. |
| Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club Inc | Installation of a solar system to reduce fossil fuel usage on pumping as well as clubhouse refrigeration and evaporative cooling appliances. |
| Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative | A business model that will enable long term financing and income security for the co-located solar farm and a ‘Z-NET in Action’ program integrating data and demand management, Community Switch Campaign and EV charging. The Micro-PPA model will reduce costs to the customer by providing greater contract certainty for customers, generators and project developers. The model also includes co-funding of a trial deployment of free monitoring devices to schools, homes and businesses. |
| Surf Coast Energy Group | Installation of solar PV on five primary schools to reduce carbon emissions and electricity bills. Cost savings will fund sustainability education projects and programs for over 1,600 students in the Barwon region. |
| Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve Inc | Installation of a solar panel system with battery backup for a designated emergency relief and refuge centre, as preparation for emergency situations and grid power failure and to reduce emissions and power costs. |
| Dalyston Football Netball Club | Installation of solar panels on clubrooms to assist the volunteer organisation reduce energy costs, as well as assist in recovery from the COVID lockdown and support sustainability into the future. |
Full details of projects funded in Round 5 NEJF are available on the Energy Victoria website.
