How to tap into 'green' government grants

There is more than $3 billion in federal and state government 'green' grants and subsidies available and most companies do not know they are available or how to access them, according to sustainability consultancy Equilibrium OMG.

To assist business access these grants and subsidies, Equilibrium OMG has produced a comprehensive guide on the grants and general assistance available to business and how to access them.

Equilibrium OMG Managing Director Nicholas Harford said the guide can help business access assistance for environmental improvement projects.

“Knowing what these grants are, who is eligible and how to apply for them often requires considerable time and resources that many businesses simply do not have,” he said.

“To date, small and large businesses have not been able to easily access this information despite the fact that they may have legal and environmental obligations to fulfil.

"The Good Guide to Government Grants - Federal and State Government Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change Assistance for Business and Industry provides information on $3.3 billion of grants and a range of general assistance in the one convenient reference source, giving details about funding programs, amounts and eligibility.

“Government grants enable a business to adopt new and innovative environmental technology such as water- and energy-saving devices, which not only results in improved productivity but also has real and practical benefits for the environment,” he said.

“Many businesses are also required to comply with more environmental laws and regulations, so government grants should be employed where appropriate to assist compliance, improve environmental performance and support business development.”

The guide is designed to help business make the most of government funding and become more sustainable.