This message first appeared in our October 2025 newsletter. To stay up to date with the latest news and research on energy issues that impact consumers, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter below.
Every time I meet with an Energy Consumers Australia grant recipient, I’m reminded how much passion and creativity exists across the country when it comes to building a better energy future. Frankly, sometimes these meetings are a much-needed injection of hope.
Through our Grants Program, we’re able to help innovative people and organisations test new ideas, influence policy and deliver projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of energy consumers.
This program is also one of the most powerful ways we can supercharge our collective impact. By supporting others to explore and collaborate, we extend our reach and accelerate progress towards the fair, affordable, and reliable energy system that consumers deserve.
I’m delighted to share that we’ve just approved eight new grants that will strengthen research and advocacy – and ultimately improve consumer outcomes across Australia. We received a record 47 expressions of interest, including many new voices, which made the round highly competitive.
From addressing barriers to electrification, to supporting renters, to enabling First Nations energy resilience planning, these projects are powerful examples of what can happen when local insight meets national ambition. Together, they will help ensure that the energy transition delivers practical benefits for Australian households and small businesses.
Our next Influence Grants and Collaboration Grants rounds are now open, and we’ve recently streamlined the application process to make it simpler to apply. We’re also inviting applications for the Kelvin Trimper Scholarship. Details on how to apply can be found here.
Two recently completed projects show the real-world outcomes our Grants Program delivers. The Victorian Council of Social Service explored the connection between energy hardship and poor health, demonstrating how to break this nexus to protect energy consumers in vulnerable circumstances.
The Consumer Policy Research Centre revealed that clearer labelling about the energy efficiency ratings of large appliances at the point of sale would help consumers make more informed choices that save them money and energy.
These projects remind me that progress is almost always a result of collaboration. When communities, researchers and advocates work together, the results ripple outward.
If you’re working on an idea that could advance a better energy future for consumers, I encourage you to apply for a grant. Each project brings us a step closer to a fairer, more genuinely consumer-centred energy transition.
