Carbon Innovation Grants Program (GIGP) - Western Australia

Funding program archive

This page preserves a dated funding-program record and links it to current project-planning guidance.

Publication date: 13 October 2022.

Status note: This archive does not confirm that applications are open, funds remain available or the earlier eligibility and co-funding settings still apply. Verify the current administrator page and guidelines.

What this article reported

Round 2 and 3 - Anticipated in 2023 and 2024

The purpose of the program is to build the capacity of heavy industry sectors to transition to net zero emissions by 2050, in line with government targets.

The program will fund feasibility studies and trials that help to avoid, reduce or offset carbon emissions from heavy industry processes, with a focus on supporting innovative technologies for carbon abatement and sequestration.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation will administer the $15 million program over the next five years through competitive grant rounds. The application process for grant round 1 opened on 13 October and closed on 16 December 2022.

Funding Amount:

To be eligible, you must:

Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process of getting funding. Let us help you! The application for each grant is different and the process can take time and effort. Contact us to walk you through everything from, processes, eligibility criteria and the grants, funding and financial assistance available at the moment.

How to use this information now

Before relying on a grant, confirm the current round, applicant and project eligibility, eligible expenditure, co-contribution, assessment process, closing date and evidence obligations. Build the technical case so the project remains understandable with grant support shown separately.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is the Carbon Innovation Grants Program (GIGP) and who can apply?

The Carbon Innovation Grants Program (GIGP) is a Western Australian government initiative administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, providing $15 million over five years to support heavy industry sectors in transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050. The program funds feasibility studies and trials for avoiding, reducing or offsetting carbon emissions, with a focus on innovative technologies. To be eligible, your study or project must apply to specific sites within Western Australia, be additional to business-as-usual activities, and involve an industrial business as lead or partner with a cash or in-kind contribution.

What funding amounts are available under the GIGP for different project types?

The GIGP offers two distinct funding pathways. Feasibility studies can receive grants of $50,000 to $500,000 at a maximum of 50% of eligible costs, making them suitable for initial investigation of carbon-reduction opportunities. Pilot projects and capital works receive $100,000 to $1.5 million at a maximum of 25% of eligible costs, supporting implementation of proven concepts. These different contribution rates reflect the relative maturity and risk profile of each project stage.

How can Northmore Gordon help with a GIGP application?

We assist clients across the complete GIGP project lifecycle: identifying suitable projects aligned with grant requirements, managing the application process, implementing approved projects, and delivering verified results. The company recognises that locating an appropriate grant is only the beginning; the application process for each grant involves understanding specific eligibility criteria, gathering supporting evidence, and meeting funding body requirements. Our experience with energy assessment, feasibility development and carbon management supports competitive applications and successful project delivery.

What makes a project eligible for GIGP funding as 'additional' to business-as-usual activities?

GIGP eligibility requires that your study or project must be additional to your organisation's normal operations and planned investments. This means the funded activity would not proceed without the grant support. Understanding additivity is important because funding bodies assess whether the project represents genuine new effort or investment, not simply funding for activities already planned. When scoping a GIGP application, we can help establish this additionality by documenting your baseline business plans and demonstrating how the grant-funded work represents a distinct step forward in your carbon-reduction pathway.

What should be included in a strong GIGP feasibility study proposal?

A competitive feasibility study proposal should clearly define the carbon-reduction opportunity, document the baseline operating conditions, specify measurement and verification methods, quantify potential emissions reductions, assess technical and commercial feasibility, and identify dependencies or risks. The study should connect to your actual facility or process, include realistic cost estimates, and demonstrate how findings will inform future investment decisions. Our audit and feasibility methodology aligns with these expectations, supporting the development of evidence-based proposals that funding bodies can confidently assess and that provide actionable pathways toward implementation.

What timeframe should I expect for GIGP application and project delivery?

Round 1 of the GIGP opened on 13 October 2022 and closed on 16 December 2022, with subsequent rounds anticipated in 2023 and 2024. Application preparation typically requires gathering site data, defining project scope, and developing supporting business cases—activities that benefit from early planning. Once approved, feasibility studies and pilot projects require time for implementation, data collection and verification. We recommend starting your grant investigation early so evidence can be assembled, eligibility assumptions verified, and application deadlines met without rushed preparation.

How does GIGP funding differ from other carbon-reduction support mechanisms?

GIGP is a competitive grant program specifically designed for heavy industry carbon innovation in Western Australia, distinct from other support mechanisms such as energy-efficiency certificates, ACCU carbon credits, or financing arrangements. Grants provide non-repayable funding but typically at lower contribution rates (25–50%) than some other incentives, require demonstrated additivity, and focus on emerging technologies and feasibility exploration rather than proven equipment retrofits. Understanding which support mechanisms apply to your specific situation—grants, certificates, finance or combinations—is essential for developing a robust project strategy. Our funding-pathway assessment can help identify the most suitable support mix for your carbon-reduction opportunity.

What role does industrial partnership play in GIGP eligibility and success?

The GIGP requirement for an industrial business to be lead or partner in the project, with a cash or in-kind contribution, reflects the program's intent to support industry-driven carbon innovation. Industrial partnership ensures the research or trial remains connected to real operational needs, improves uptake prospects if successful, and shares investment risk between industry and government. If your organisation is not a heavy industry operator, partnering with an eligible industrial business is therefore necessary for GIGP access. We can assist in scoping projects that meet this requirement and in structuring partnerships that satisfy both program rules and commercial arrangements.

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