Up to $50,000 for small businesses or not-for-profit organisations to access investment in more energy efficient equipment or improvements that optimise energy usage and costs.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Economic Recovery Fund – Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants?
The Economic Recovery Fund – Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants (ERF-SBEEG) program is a new initiative designed to assist small businesses and not-for-profits in South Australia to reduce energy consumption and manage energy costs.
With a total funding pool of $20 million available in 2024-25, this program aims to support businesses in adopting energy-efficient practices, providing environmentally friendly products and services, and implementing waste reduction technologies.
ERF-SBEEG level of support
The program offers grants ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 per eligible business, excluding GST.
The government provides up to 50% matched funding through reimbursement for eligible business expenditures between $5,000 and $100,000. For instance:
- If you spend $5,000, you may be eligible for a grant of $2,500.
- If you spend $100,000 or more, you may be eligible for a grant up to $50,000.
- If you spend $120,000, you may be eligible for a grant up to $50,000.
ERF-SBEEG important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
ERF-SBEEG objectives
The primary objective of the program is to support eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in making energy-efficient upgrades. This includes investing in energy-efficient equipment, adopting new technologies, and implementing processes that will lead to ongoing reductions in energy usage and costs.
Projects and expenditure eligible for ERF-SBEEG support
Eligible projects include:
- Power Supply and Generation: Installation of battery storage systems, micro wind turbines, voltage optimisation devices, and more.
- Lighting and Electrical: Replacement of non-LED lighting with LED variants, installation of occupancy sensors, smart power strips, etc.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: Replacement of air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and more with 4-star or better energy-rated appliances.
- Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration: Replacement of HVAC systems, installation of heat recovery processes, upgrading insulation, and more.
- Building Upgrades: Installation of draught proofing, external shading, upgraded insulation, and energy-efficient windows and doors.
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.
See the guidelines for a full list of eligible project activities and equipment list.
ERF-SBEEG important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for ERF-SBEEG support
To be eligible for this program, businesses must:
- Have a valid and active ABN.
- Be registered for GST at the time the funding round commenced (29 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;
- Be located and operating in South Australia; and
- 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)
- 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]
- not be a home-based business i.e. operating primarily from the owner’s, or an employee’s, residence;
- not be a public company within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001;
- own or lease the business premises where any work or goods will be installed or used (this premise cannot be a residential property); and
- be able to provide matched funding of at least 50 per cent of eligible costs.
ERF-SBEEG essential criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the potential of the proposed project to achieve energy savings, the cost-effectiveness of the investment, and the applicant’s capacity to meet the co-contribution requirements. Additionally, priority may be given to projects that have a significant impact on reducing energy consumption and costs.
How do I get the ERF-SBEEG?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the ERF-SBEEG application
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, 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.
Applying for the ERF-SBEEG
Applications are submitted online via the South Australian Government’s business portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
ERF resources
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