Net Zero Planning Grant

Funding program archive

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

Publication date: 30 November 2026.

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

The Net Zero Planning Grant is a NSW Government initiative designed to help eligible NSW businesses strengthen their net zero planning and identify practical actions to reduce emissions. Round 2 provides grants of up to $25,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to support businesses with activities such as greenhouse gas emissions inventories, climate-related risk and opportunity assessments, emissions reduction targets and net zero action planning.

A total of $2 million is available under Round 2, with applications assessed as they are received. Applications close at 5 pm AEDT on 30 November 2026, or earlier if available funding is exhausted.

Who is this for?

The Net Zero Planning Grant is for businesses with operations and a site address in New South Wales that meet the program's energy expenditure requirements and want to progress their net zero planning.

The grant is not restricted to a single industry sector. It can support eligible NSW businesses across a range of industries. Previous recipients have included organisations operating in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, hospitality and retail, while the Round 2 guidelines also provide examples for agriculture and manufacturing businesses.

How much funding is available?

Eligible businesses can receive up to $25,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs.

Funding is delivered across two milestones:

A total funding pool of $2 million is available for Round 2.

What can the funding be used for?

The Net Zero Planning Grant supports specialist consulting work across nine areas of net zero planning:

For businesses looking to strengthen their emissions and net zero position, relevant funded activities may include developing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, establishing net zero and emissions reduction targets, preparing a climate-related risk and opportunity assessment, and developing a long-, medium- and short-term net zero action plan.

These areas align with Northmore Gordon's energy and carbon advisory capabilities, particularly where businesses need specialist support to understand emissions, establish a credible emissions baseline and develop practical decarbonisation and net zero strategies.

The grant does not fund capital expenditure, equipment or technology assessments, carbon offsets, internal labour or project management costs, or auditing, verification and validation fees. It also excludes certain mandatory NGER reporting activities and existing ongoing activities such as existing voluntary reporting.

Eligibility: You can apply if you:

Businesses are not eligible if they or their related entities have received, or will receive, funding through the Net Zero Planning Grant in this or a previous round. Businesses are also ineligible if they receive other NSW Government funding for the same activities, are a Commonwealth, state or local government entity, are a Safeguard facility, or they or a related entity are a Group 1 reporting entity required to prepare a sustainability report under section 292A of the Corporations Act 2001.

Key dates

Applications opened: 1 September 2026

Applications close: 5 pm AEDT, 30 November 2026, or earlier if funding is exhausted.

Application outcomes are expected within 20 business days of submission, although the NSW Government reserves the right to extend this timeframe where necessary.

The Net Zero Planning Grant is non-competitive, with eligible applications assessed as they are received rather than waiting until the closing date. Businesses considering applying should therefore avoid waiting until the deadline, as the funding may be exhausted earlier.

How does the grant work?

Successful projects are delivered through two stages.

Milestone 1 focuses on assessing the organisation's current net zero progress across the nine elements of the Net Zero Business Guide and identifying priority actions for further work. These activities must be undertaken by an external specialist consultant and completed within six weeks from commencement of the funding deed.

Milestone 2 then supports detailed implementation of the actions identified during Milestone 1. The selected work must follow the Net Zero Business Guide and, where applicable, align with nationally or internationally recognised frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or Science Based Targets initiative. Milestone 2 must be completed within 18 weeks following notification of successful completion of Milestone 1.

How can Northmore Gordon help?

Northmore Gordon can help eligible NSW businesses assess the Net Zero Planning Grant opportunity and determine how relevant net zero and emissions activities could fit within their broader energy and decarbonisation strategy.

Depending on your organisation's requirements and the activities ultimately approved under the grant, this could include support with greenhouse gas emissions inventories, climate-related risk and opportunity assessments, emissions reduction targets and net zero action planning.

If your business meets the eligibility requirements and is considering the Net Zero Planning Grant, contact Northmore Gordon to discuss your project and the next steps for preparing an application.

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 Net Zero Planning Grant and who should consider applying?

The Net Zero Planning Grant is a NSW Government initiative providing up to $25,000 per business (covering 50% of eligible costs) to strengthen net zero planning and identify practical emissions-reduction actions. Eligible businesses must have an ABN, be GST-registered, operate in NSW, and spend at least $200,000 annually on energy at a single site (or $500,000 across multiple NSW sites). Round 2 operates from 1 September to 30 November 2026, with $2 million total funding assessed on a first-come basis. We can help determine grant eligibility and align net zero activities with your broader energy strategy.

What are the key restrictions on Net Zero Planning Grant eligibility?

Businesses cannot apply if they or related entities have previously received this grant, are receiving other NSW Government funding for the same activities, are government entities, are Safeguard facilities, or are Group 1 reporting entities required to prepare sustainability reports under the Corporations Act. These restrictions ensure grant funding reaches businesses not already accessing government support or subject to mandatory sustainability reporting. We can review your circumstances to confirm eligibility before application.

How does the two-milestone funding structure work?

Milestone 1 (up to $2,000) funds an initial assessment by an external specialist consultant across nine net zero planning elements—strategy, governance, people, data, targets, action planning, finance, stakeholder engagement and reporting—completed within six weeks. Milestone 2 (up to $23,000) funds detailed implementation of priority actions identified in Milestone 1, aligned with recognised frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, completed within 18 weeks. This staged approach ensures systematic identification of opportunities before committing to detailed work.

What specialist consulting activities does the grant fund?

The grant funds specialist consulting work including greenhouse gas emissions inventory development (Scope 1, 2 and 3), climate-related risk and opportunity assessment, net zero and emissions-reduction target setting, and long-, medium- and short-term net zero action planning. Excluded activities are capital expenditure, equipment assessments, carbon offsets, internal labour, mandatory NGER reporting, and existing voluntary reporting. Our carbon advisory capabilities—diagnostic workshops, emissions inventories, opportunity assessment and transition planning—align with funded activities under both milestones.

How quickly will the grant application be assessed, and should businesses wait until the closing date?

The NSW Government assesses applications within 20 business days of submission, with outcomes expected shortly thereafter. Critically, the grant is non-competitive and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis rather than waiting for the 30 November 2026 closing date. With $2 million total funding, early application is strongly recommended to avoid funding exhaustion. Businesses should avoid delaying submission until the final weeks when funding may no longer be available.

What are the practical next steps after completing Milestone 1?

After Milestone 1 identifies priority actions and gaps in net zero planning, Milestone 2 funding supports detailed implementation. Completion of Milestone 1 triggers a formal notification period before Milestone 2 funding is released. During this transition, businesses should prepare to engage specialist consultants to undertake the detailed work across identified priorities, following the Net Zero Business Guide and recognised frameworks. We can support this progression through transition planning, financial analysis, and phased implementation of emissions-reduction opportunities identified in the initial assessment.

Can the Net Zero Planning Grant be combined with other funding sources?

No, businesses cannot receive the Net Zero Planning Grant if they are simultaneously receiving other NSW Government funding for the same activities. However, the grant can complement broader energy-efficiency or decarbonisation investments funded through other mechanisms (such as energy savings schemes or internal capital). When structuring your net zero strategy, it is important to distinguish planning and advisory activities eligible for this grant from implementation investments that may access separate funding pathways. We can help map your overall funding strategy across planning, energy optimisation and decarbonisation activities.

How does Northmore Gordon support businesses with Net Zero Planning Grant applications and delivery?

We assist eligible NSW businesses by assessing Net Zero Planning Grant opportunity alignment with their energy and decarbonisation strategy, determining eligibility based on energy expenditure and operational criteria, and delivering Milestone 1 and Milestone 2 activities. Services include greenhouse gas emissions inventories (Scope 1, 2 and 3), climate-related risk and opportunity assessment, emissions-reduction target development, and net zero action planning. Our carbon advisory capabilities and measurement expertise support both the initial assessment and detailed implementation phases required under the grant funding deed.

What happens if a business's circumstances change during the grant funding period?

The grant deed specifies contracted deliverables and timelines for Milestone 1 (six weeks from commencement) and Milestone 2 (eighteen weeks following Milestone 1 completion notification). Material changes to business circumstances—such as site closures, significant operational changes, or acquisition—should be communicated promptly to the NSW Government administrator. While the grant is structured around the nine planning elements and recognised frameworks, operational flexibility exists within each element. We can advise on how changing circumstances affect the scope and delivery of net zero planning activities.

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