In brief

• The Budget funds climate action and clean energy.
• It helps households cut energy costs with rebates and loans.
• It also supports water saving, community projects and a new climate plan.
• This article gives an overview of how the funding will be allocated.

Funding in the 2026–27 ACT Budget will support climate action in the Territory.

This will ensure the continuation of climate action that:

• invests in clean energy
• supports Canberrans with cost-of-living pressures.

The following Budget measures will help ensure all Canberrans can access energy-efficient upgrades to reduce energy costs and emissions.

Extending Home Energy Support Program rebates

Rebates available under the Home Energy Support Program will be extended.

It supports homeowners to cover the costs of rooftop solar and other energy-efficient upgrades, including:

• hot water systems
• ceiling insulation
• reverse-cycle heating and cooling.

Since 2022, the program has provided tangible cost-of-living relief for Canberrans. Over 1,800 households have received rebates during this time.

Continuing the Renters’ Home Energy Advice Program

The Renters’ Home Energy Advice Program will also continue.

Through this free service, renters receive tailored advice from an expert energy assessor.

Expanding the Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS)

Through this Budget, SHS loan caps will rise to $20,000 for new participants.

This will give households greater capacity to invest in energy-efficient upgrades and products. They can also purchase a new or used EV.

Additionally, from September 2026, Canberrans can buy electric cargo bikes via the SHS.

This will support more households to adopt this practical, zero-emissions transport alternative.

Water-efficiency upgrades

The Budget will progress water-saving measures in the ACT.

Funding will support water-saving upgrades, including more efficient showers and taps, to improve water management in:

• schools
• homes
• businesses
• public facilities.

Supporting community-led initiatives

The Budget includes additional funding to support the natural environment and promote biodiversity and water efficiency.

These measures will help protect, conserve and enhance the ACT’s environment, wildlife and conservation efforts.

Local community environment groups will receive more funding to support climate resilience and biodiversity initiatives.

This will help community partners to deliver projects that support climate change mitigation and adaptation. They include:

• ACT Wildlife
• National Parks Association
• Landcare ACT.

Expanding the ACT Environment Grants program

The ACT Government will expand the ACT Environment Grants program. This means more community groups can assist with environment restoration and community education. There will also be a new category for weed control.

As well as further supporting environmental care and land management, the program expansion will help promote volunteer work in the ACT.

Boosting biosecurity response

Budget investment will improve the ACT’s ability to respond to growing biosecurity threats – at both the local and national level.

This includes funding for:

• a response team
• incident management systems
• vehicles.

A new Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

The Budget will support the finalisation and delivery of a new Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

This will continue the ACT Government’s work to move towards net zero by 2045.

All these investments form part of a larger package of investment in the 2026–27 ACT Budget.

Read more like this

• 2026–27 ACT Budget: investing in city services and infrastructure
• 2026–27 ACT Budget: investing in community services
• 2026-27 ACT Budget: investing in the arts

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