The ACT Government has released its 2025–26 Budget, including a range of energy investments to move the territory towards a more sustainable future.
The Budget includes new initiatives worth more than $190 million over four years to support the environment and climate action.
According to the ACT Government, this direction is integral to maintaining Canberra’s high quality of life and continued wellbeing.
As such, the 2025–26 ACT Budget aims to continue to make climate conscious choices more affordable and accessible to all Canberrans as the territory transitions to lower-emission energy solutions.
The ACT Government said electrification is the cheapest pathway to net-zero and delivers the greatest benefits to the community.
The Budget will guide the territory’s long-term path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, building on the momentum of securing 100 per cent renewable electricity in 2020 and the financial incentives and support provided to help households and businesses electrify.
It will also provide $21.776 million over four years for the electrification of public housing, including funding to upgrade gas appliances to appropriate electric alternatives in 1600 public housing properties, including make-good requirements, associated ancillary electrical works and gas connection abolishment charges by 2028.
The Budget will also allow the continuation of the Electrification of Government Gas Assets program to advance the transition to net-zero emissions.
The ACT Government will also invest $14.989 million over four years for the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, including delivery programs for low-income households and small businesses.
Other key electrification initiatives to receive funding in the budget include:
- The Home Energy Efficiency Program
- The Sustainable Business Program
- The First Nations Home Energy Support program
- The commencement of the Commercial Building Electrification pilot program
The Sustainable Household Scheme will be extended through the provision of low-interest loans for battery storage, zero-emissions vehicles and chargers, ceiling insulation and energy efficient electric appliances.
The ACT Government will also establish a TAFE Centre of Excellence for Electric Vehicles as part of the National Skills Agreement, and allocate $4.14 million over two years to continue to deliver on the Zero Emissions Vehicles Strategy.
The Territory Government said the Budget also includes $10.863 million over four years for maintaining core climate change and energy functions and statutory requirements in the climate change and energy portfolio, reaffirming its commitment to undertake action to reach net zero by 2045.
