What is the NSW Net Zero Planning Grant?
The Net Zero Planning Grant is a funding initiative from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
It provides up to $30,000 to help businesses develop a structured net zero strategy, covering up to 75% of costs. The grant is part of the Business Decarbonisation Program, which aims to support businesses in identifying and implementing practical steps to reduce emissions and enhance long-term sustainability.
This grants presents the ideal opportunity for project leads to find the budget necessary to perform a baselines assessment and/or reduction strategies.
Businesses looking to use the same consultant for milestone 1 and 2 can engage the NetNada team. This can include baseline emission, draft strategy, implement reduction strategies, and receive ongoing consultation.
Who is Eligible for the NSW Net Zero Planning Grant?
To be eligible, businesses must:
- Have an ABN and be registered for GST
- Operate in NSW with a NSW site address
- Spend at least $200,000 per year on energy at a single NSW site OR $500,000 across multiple sites (excluding transport fuels)
- Not be covered under the Safeguard Mechanism
- Not have already received this grant (exceptions exist for related entities under different industry classifications)
- Not be receiving other NSW Government funding for the same activities
You can use our free Grant application tool here to have a NetNada expert assess your application before submitting.
The Safeguard Mechanism is a federal policy that applies to large industrial facilities emitting more than 100,000 tonnes of CO₂-e per year.
Businesses covered by this mechanism must keep their emissions below a government-set baseline and are not eligible for this grant.
How Much Funding is Available?
Total funding pool: $1.5 million
Funding per business: Up to $30,000, paid in two milestones:
- Milestone 1 – Up to $4,000, covering 75% of costs to identify key net zero actions
- Milestone 2 – Up to $26,000, covering 75% of costs to develop and implement detailed net zero plans
Later in this article we cover what the two milestones entail.
What Can the Grant Be Used For?
Funding can be used for external specialist consultants to help businesses with:
- Developing a net zero strategy, including climate risk assessment
- Establishing governance and stakeholder engagement processes
- Collecting data, setting emissions targets, and reporting progress
- Financial planning for net zero investments
The grant cannot be used for:
- Internal labour costs or project management
- Capital expenditure, equipment purchases, or carbon offsets
- Technology feasibility studies
- Mandatory reporting under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme
Overview of the grant process - Milestone 1 and 2
The Grant consists of 3 key stages:
- Submitting an application, and, if successful,
- Milestones 1
- Milestone 2
The below figure provides a summary of the steps involved, with detailed information about each step included in the following sections of these funding guidelines.
Engaging a 3rd party or specialist consultant as part of the grant
Both milestones 1 and 2 of the Grant must be completed by external specialist consultant(s) chosen by the grant recipient.
Appendix A provides guidance on choosing the right consultant(s). Keep in mind that you might need different consultants with specialized skills for various stages of the grant or for different parts of milestone 2.
If you've already chosen a consultant for milestone 1, include their information in your application. If not, you'll need to hire one for milestone 1 after the funding deed is signed. You may need to hire different or additional consultants for milestone 2.
Be sure to factor in the time it takes to hire a consultant so you meet your milestone deadlines.
Selecting the right specialist consultant for the NSW Net Zero Planning Grant
For this grant, specialist consultants are external professionals hired by the grant recipient to complete the milestone activities. The recipient is responsible for choosing these consultants, ensuring they have no conflicts of interest.
Keep in mind that different consultants with varying expertise might be necessary at different stages of the grant or for different aspects of milestone 2. A consultant for milestone 1 should have a broad understanding of the nine elements in the Guide. For milestone 2, deeper expertise in one or more of those nine elements will be required to effectively implement the actions outlined in the recipient's milestone 1 report.
When selecting consultants, consider the following:
- Qualifications: Relevant net zero qualifications in areas like net zero, carbon accounting, sustainability, ESG, environmental engineering/services, renewable energy/energy efficiency, or other related fields from the Guide's nine elements.
- Experience: Relevant professional experience in the areas listed above. It's recommended to review examples of their previous work.
- Capacity: Ability to deliver the work on time.
How to Apply?
- Applications are open 29 January – 2 May 2025
- This is a non-competitive grant—applications are assessed as they are received
- Apply early to avoid missing out on funding
- Check out our Grant application tool here to have a NetNada expert assess your application before submitting.
Application process:
- Prepare your application – Complete the online form and gather supporting documents
- Submit your application – Provide proof of eligibility, including energy bills
- Await assessment – Applications are reviewed within 20 business days
- Sign the funding deed if approved
- Engage a specialist consultant and complete milestone activities
Grant criteria
As summary of the grant criteria is outlined below.
Full details and application portal: NSW Energy Website
How Businesses Can Leverage NetNada for this Grant
Businesses looking to measure their carbon emissions, implement reduction strategies, and receive ongoing consultation can use NetNada to maximise the value of this grant.
1. Measuring Carbon Emissions
- NetNada’s platform provides automated carbon accounting that aligns with national and international frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
- Businesses can track their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using real-time data analysis.
- This data can be used to establish baselines for net zero planning and grant reporting.
2. Developing Reduction Strategies
- Using NetNada’s data-driven insights, businesses can identify emission hotspots and prioritise the most effective reduction measures.
- The platform provides tailored decarbonisation pathways, guiding businesses on energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy options, and operational changes.
- These strategies align with the Net Zero Business Guide, a key requirement for Milestone 2 of the grant.
3. Expert Consultation and Compliance Support
- NetNada offers specialist consultants who can assist with grant milestone deliverables, including strategy development, reporting, and financial planning.
- Businesses can receive guidance on meeting compliance requirements and aligning with Science Based Targets (SBTi) and climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD).
- Ongoing engagement ensures that businesses stay on track towards their net zero goals while meeting grant expectations.
4. Streamlining Grant Application and Reporting
- NetNada simplifies the process of preparing grant applications by providing structured carbon data, energy assessments, and financial impact reports.
- The platform generates actionable insights and reporting documents that can be used for both Milestone 1 and Milestone 2 requirements.
- Businesses using NetNada will have a clear audit trail for their net zero planning and implementation efforts, making it easier to secure and claim funding.
Next Steps
Businesses interested in leveraging NetNada’s expertise for the Net Zero Planning Grant can:
- Book a consultation to discuss grant eligibility and decarbonisation planning
- Use NetNada’s carbon measurement tools to establish an emissions baseline
- Work with NetNada consultants to develop a grant-compliant net zero strategy
- Submit a strong application backed by clear data and expert recommendations
This approach ensures businesses maximise the grant funding, accelerate their net zero transition, and gain a competitive edge in a low-carbon economy.
