POWERING AUSTRALIA FUNDING
The Powering Australia program is a key initiative funded by the Australian Government under the Australian Made Battery Plan. Running from 2023 to 2027, it is backed by a$14 million investment to Powering Australia Limited, the team behind the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC).
Powering Australia supports Australian businesses to manufacture renewable energy technologies locally, commercialise innovative ideas, and create partnerships across government, research, and industry. The program also helps businesses navigate regulatory barriers and delivers better business outcomes for First Nations communities.
Intended outcomes include growing Australia’s renewables technology industry, increasing competitiveness domestically and internationally, upskilling the workforce, developing end-to-end supply chains for batteries and other renewable technologies, and supporting Australia’s emission reduction targets.
By 2030, the Australian Made Battery Plan is projected to create approximately 61,400 jobs and deliver $16.9 billion in gross value added to the national economy
Building Future Battery Capabilities Program
The Powering Australia grants are part of a broader National Battery Strategy adopted in 2024 to strategically position Australia as a global leader in clean energy innovation and manufacturing.
Alongside the federal Battery Breakthrough Initiative, the $20 million Building Future Battery Capabilities Program was awarded to Powering Australia. This program supports the development of Australia’s battery industry through two key grant streams with a total investment of $20 million.
The grants support tackling fragmented supply chains, limited demand, and skills shortages to build a more resilient and competitive battery sector. These efforts align with national emission targets and aim to develop a circular economy within the renewable energy space.
Demonstrator Stream
Valued at $9.3 million, the Demonstrator Stream supports the commercialisation and scale-up of pioneering Australian battery technologies at mid-development stages (Technology Readiness Levels 4-6).
Key initiatives include the development of a supply chain navigator tool to improve transparency, ESG compliance, and sourcing decisions, along with the creation of best practice guidelines and industry standards to enhance battery safety in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and transport.
An annual national Battery Showcase under this stream highlights innovation and emerging skills pathways, fostering collaboration and awareness across the sector.
Battery Workforce Training & Skills Stream
With a $10 million investment, the Battery Workforce Skills and Training Stream aims to build Australia’s capacity to safely and efficiently design, manufacture, transport, recycle, and research battery technologies.
Rolling out progressively from 2024 to 2027, it supports training programs and career pathways that address current skills shortages and enhance safety knowledge to reduce battery-related incidents.
The stream focuses on four key areas: developing technical manufacturing skills, growing the talent pipeline, promoting safe battery handling, and creating a unified skills ecosystem across the battery industry.
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