First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
Publication date
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About the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy (the Strategy) was released on 6 December 2024. Its release followed extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.
The Strategy is co-sponsored by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change and the Minister for Indigenous Australians. It is a key priority under the National Energy Transformation Partnership.
The clean energy transition is a critical moment for Australia’s relationship with First Nations peoples. The Strategy is a 5-year national framework for action that will help:
- collaboration between governments, industry and community members
- create opportunities for First Nations people to make their own choices
- gain social and economic benefits through the energy transition.
Developed in collaboration with First Nations people and organisations, the Strategy outlines a vision for a sustainable clean energy future for all Australians, with Country and Culture at the heart.
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy Progress Update Phase 1: 2025–2026 provides an initial stocktake of the Australian Government’s programs currently underway making progress on the 24 Priority Actions identified in the Strategy. This will establish a baseline for charting progress over time. It will also ensure whole-of-government accountability at the intersection of First Nations rights and interests and the clean energy transformation. Annual Progress Updates will be released from 2027.
Download the Progress Update Phase 1: 2025-26.
The Strategy's focus areas and key supporting actions
The Strategy is framed around 3 goals underpinned by a set of objectives and actions. The 3 goals of the Strategy and its 24 supporting actions are listed below.
This means investing in clean energy systems and removing obstacles that prevent First Nations communities from a reliable and affordable clean energy supply. It also means investing in research to fill important knowledge gaps and better understand First Nations peoples’ experiences of energy use and access.
The supporting actions are:
- review and extend regulatory protections
- future proof community infrastructure
- document First Nations peoples’ experience of energy systems
- invest in clean energy systems to transition away from diesel usage, and improve reliability and affordability
- improve the energy performance of First Nations housing
- support better access to renewable energy for First Nations households.
This means improving how industry and government engage and work with First Nations communities to achieve mutual benefits . It also means recognising and celebrating First Nations people’s cultural heritage.
The supporting actions are:
- raise First Nations awareness about the clean energy transition
- develop toolkits and agreement resources
- establish a ‘one-door’ First Nations information portal
- initiate On-Country clean energy mapping and planning
- provide access to expertise and advice for negotiation support
- build a new best practice: dialogue series
- build a new best practice: industry awards
- empower First Nations collaboration to achieve improved heritage protection.
This means making sure First Nations voices are considered when developing clean energy policy and making changes to increase First Nations ownership of energy projects. It also means providing the right support for First Nations people to join the clean energy workforce and access funding for their own clean energy projects.
The supporting actions are:
- Implement a First Nations clean energy business program
- coordinate First Nations clean energy workforce development
- improve First Nations workforce readiness
- develop a First Nations clean energy job guide
- embed First Nations informed program design across government clean energy programs
- elevate First Nations voices in clean energy program development and decision-making
- increase First Nations peoples’ access to Special Investment Vehicles
- deliver needs-based funding across the project lifecycle
- broker an investor forum on access to capital and equity ownership
- investigate a First Nations Clean Energy and Investment Fund and new models for collaborative finance.
Background
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy was informed by extensive public consultation undertaken throughout 2023. This included multiple meetings with a diverse range of stakeholders, including 9 roundtables held across Australia with:
- First Nations peoples
- state and territory governments
- industry representatives
- academics.
The department has regularly received advice on the Strategy from the First Nations Clean Energy and Climate Change Advisory Committee (the Committee). The Committee makes sure First Nations views are included in the clean energy transition. The Strategy is guided by a set of principles developed by the Committee.
Download the Strategy
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy (PDF 5.2 MB)
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy (DOCX 29.2 MB)
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy - accessible version (PDF 1.02 MB)
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy - accessible version (DOCX 5.4 MB)
Appendices
Appendix A – Case studies (PDF 536 KB)
Appendix A – Case studies (DOCX 794 KB)
Appendix B – Jurisdictional policy mapping (PDF 587 KB)
Appendix B – Jurisdictional policy mapping (DOCX 109 KB)
Appendix C – Data resources (PDF 225 KB)
Appendix C – Data resources (DOCX 79 KB)
Appendix D – Maps (PDF 645 KB)
Appendix D – Maps (DOCX 2.1 MB)
Appendix E – Feedback report (PDF 1.2 MB)
Appendix E – Feedback report (DOCX 2.5 MB)
Download the Progress Update
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy Progress Update Phase 1: 2025–2026 (PDF 802 KB)
Read more
The government has allocated $70 million in funding to implement the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy over 3 years starting in 2025-26.
Read more about implementation of the Strategy:
First Nations Clean Energy Program
Get in touch
For further information about the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, please contact us at fnces@dcceew.gov.au.
