An energy efficiency discount scheme, a sustainability program for office buildings and larger premises, and federal solar and tax programs — all restricted to businesses physically trading within the ACT itself.
What the tags below mean
Grants & discount schemes
Direct rebates and discounts your business can claim — as opposed to the tax incentive further down the page.
Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) — business upgrades
Discounted energy efficiency upgrades for ACT business premises — lighting, HVAC, or equipment efficiency improvements — delivered through accredited providers under the EEIS framework.
Eligibility
- Commercial operations physically located and trading within the ACT
- Small-to-medium business sizing criteria defined by territory energy codes
ACT only — not Queanbeyan or the wider NSW border area
Commercial strata & office buildings
A free, hands-on program covering larger commercial premises and multi-tenant buildings, not just single small shopfronts.
ACT Sustainable Business Program
A free program covering energy, transport, waste and water. Register and you get a free onsite assessment from technical experts, an independent tailored action plan, and access to rebates, resources and training — useful for office buildings, strata-managed premises and multi-tenant sites as much as single shopfronts.
Eligibility
- Commercial operations physically located and trading within the ACT
- Register for free to access the assessment and action plan
- Rebates include up to $10,000 for energy and water efficiency upgrades, and up to $3,000 for an EV charger, both requiring co-contribution
ACT only — not Queanbeyan or the wider NSW border area
Federal programs for mid-sized businesses & commercial property
Available Australia-wide, including the ACT. One is a certificate discount for mid-scale rooftop solar; the other is a tax deduction — and it has now closed to new purchases.
Expanded SRES (commercial solar up to 1MW)
Upfront certificate discounts for mid-scale rooftop solar on warehouses, factories, farm sheds and strata buildings. Systems between 100 kW and 1 MW can now create small-scale technology certificates instead of large-scale ones.
Eligibility
- Commercial systems up to 1,000 kW (1MW) of total onsite capacity
- Reduces upfront system cost by around 20% via certificate value
- Applies to systems installed from 1 October 2026 — certificate applications open mid to late November
Federal — applies in every state and territory, including the ACT
Small Business Energy Incentive
A bonus 20% tax deduction on eligible depreciating assets that support electrification and energy efficiency, on top of the deduction you’d already claim. Status: it covered assets first used or installed between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, so new purchases no longer qualify — ask your accountant whether it still applies to a past return.
Eligibility
- Aggregated annual turnover under $50 million
- Bonus deduction capped at $20,000 on up to $100,000 of spend
- Claimed through your tax return, not applied for separately
Queanbeyan is NSW, not ACT
You’ll often see this area described as the “Canberra–Queanbeyan region” in population and economic data, since the two are functionally one urban area. But for program eligibility, they’re separate jurisdictions — Queanbeyan sits across the border in New South Wales. Both programs below require your business to be physically located and trading within the ACT itself. If you’re Queanbeyan-based, these specific programs won’t apply to you — check the NSW business page instead.
On an embedded network? Read this first.
If you’re in a shopping centre, office tower or industrial park, you may not have a direct account with a major energy retailer — you’re buying power through a private network run by your landlord or body corporate instead. That can mean missing out on standard bill relief, because your meter was never logged in the usual state databases. It doesn’t mean you’re ineligible — it usually means there’s a separate, secondary application form. Check with the specific program below rather than assuming you don’t qualify.
The region says “Canberra & Queanbeyan” — does that mean Queanbeyan businesses qualify?
No. Queanbeyan is across the border in NSW, not the ACT, even though the two are commonly grouped together as one economic region. Both ACT programs on this page require your business to be physically located and trading within the ACT specifically.
What’s the difference between the Sustainable Business Program and EEIS?
The Sustainable Business Program is free to join and covers energy, transport, waste and water broadly, with rebates capped at $13,000 that need co-contribution. EEIS is narrower — a straightforward energy efficiency discount on things like lighting and heating or cooling upgrades, delivered through an accredited provider.
What’s the difference between a grant and a tax incentive?
A grant or rebate puts money in your pocket, or offsets a cost, directly. A tax incentive like the Small Business Energy Incentive reduces your taxable income instead — you still spend the money first and claim it back at tax time.
Can I still claim the Small Business Energy Incentive?
Not for new purchases. The 20% bonus deduction applied to assets first used or installed between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. If you bought and installed something in that window, your accountant can tell you whether it was claimed on your return.
I’m on an embedded network — can I still apply?
Usually yes, but you may need a secondary application form since your meter isn’t in the standard state database. Check the specific program’s application page, or contact them directly if it isn’t obvious.
How is this different from the household rebates page?
This page is specifically for ACT businesses with an ABN. If you’re looking for rebates as a homeowner or renter, see our ACT household page instead.