How to apply

Apply for funding through our Grants Program today.

About the Grants Program

The purpose of the Energy Consumers Australia Grants Program is to support not-for-profit organisations to pursue quality advocacy initiatives that will advance the interests of household and small business consumers in the National Energy Market.

Our Program supports projects aimed at building greater capability, expertise, and coalitions for advocacy on consumer energy issues. 

We work with residential and small business advocacy groups to ensure that the unique interests and circumstances of residential and small businesses consumers are reflected in the grants program. 

Applying for a grant

Step One: Determine what type of grant you want to apply for

We offer a range of grants and scholarships to suit a variety of project needs. Familiarise yourself with the different types of grants to determine what would best suit the issue you're addressing.

Learn more about our available grants.

Step Two: Read our Grant Guidelines.

We have developed a series of Grant Guidelines to assist you in developing your application. 

They include key information, including eligibility criteria, to help inform your project. 

Read the Grant Guidelines.  (PDF, 228.99KB)

You may also want to read our Three-Year Plan to discover more about Energy Consumers Australia's priorities and see if there is potential alignment. 

Step Three: Chat with an ECA representative

Our staff are happy to chat with you about a potential project or advocacy issue that you are wanting to address through a grant. We can help make sure the project is eligible and aligned with our priorities. 

Step Four: Submit your application

All applications are submitted through our online grants application system.

Submit an application. 

By accessing this system, you are leaving the ECA website and being transferred to the Smarty Grants website. Smarty Grants manages all grant applications on behalf of ECA.

When can I submit a grant?

Influence and Collaboration Grants

Energy Consumers Australia has two grants rounds per year.

The first round opens in June and closes in July, the second round opens in November and closes in February.

Participation Grants

Participation Grants are open all year round. 

Apply now. 

Scholarships

The Gill Owen and Kelvin Trimper Scholarships open in September each year.

Have questions?

If you have questions or need clarification about the application process, please email us.

Page last updated: 27 March 2025