National Industrial Transformation Program

Current status: closed to new applications

ARENA's National Industrial Transformation Program page, checked on 23 October 2026, says this opportunity is closed to new applications. The material below describes the historical program. The continued presence of an older application instruction on the source article does not reopen the program. Check ARENA directly for any new round or replacement before preparing a funding submission.

What the program supported

The $40 million NIT Program followed the Industrial Energy Transformation Studies (IETS) Program. It supported projects at existing or planned Australian industrial facilities that could reduce Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions, improve process energy efficiency, or demonstrate technologies for industrial transformation. The IETS Program closed to new applications in December 2023; ARENA's current NIT page also marks NIT closed to new applications.

ARENA described feasibility studies and later pilot, demonstration or deployment work, with potential solutions including electrification, fuel switching, energy efficiency and enabling infrastructure. Its target sectors included manufacturing; agriculture, forestry and fishing; electricity, gas, water and waste; mining; and transport. Historical funding limits, co-contributions and applicant tests belong to the applicable program guidelines and should not be treated as a current offer.

Plan an industrial decarbonisation project

A facility can still assemble a useful project case: define its operating boundary, energy and emissions baseline, technology options, expected Scope 1 and Scope 2 changes, costs, measurement method and implementation risks. Assess the project's commercial case independently of unconfirmed grant support. If a new funding opportunity is announced, compare its current eligibility, dates and evidence requirements with the project before committing to an application.

Is the National Industrial Transformation Program open for new applications?

No. ARENA's National Industrial Transformation Program page, checked on 23 October 2026, states that the opportunity is closed to new applications. An older Northmore Gordon article describes how applications worked while the program was open; it is a historical record, not a current application invitation. Check https://arena.gov.au/funding/national-industrial-transformation-program/ for any change.

How does the NIT Program relate to the former IETS Program?

ARENA says its National Industrial Transformation Program followed the Industrial Energy Transformation Studies (IETS) Program with a broader industrial-transformation scope. IETS closed to new applications in December 2023, and ARENA's current NIT page also marks NIT closed to new applications. Past program descriptions should not be used as current funding offers.

What kinds of projects did the NIT Program support?

The historical $40 million program addressed emissions reduction at existing or planned Australian industrial facilities. ARENA described feasibility studies and later pilot, demonstration or deployment work involving electrification, fuel switching, energy efficiency and enabling infrastructure, with Scope 1 or Scope 2 reduction or process-efficiency outcomes. Actual eligibility depended on the applicable guidelines and application stage.

Which sectors did ARENA identify for the NIT Program?

ARENA identified agriculture, forestry and fishing; electricity, gas, water and waste; manufacturing; mining; and transport among relevant sectors. Sector fit alone never established project eligibility. The program is currently closed to new applications, so any future opportunity would need a fresh check of its own applicant and project rules.

Can a facility rely on the historical funding and co-contribution amounts?

No. The figures on this archive describe a past program and may not apply to a new opportunity. ARENA's current page marks NIT closed to new applications. If new funding becomes available, confirm the funding cap, eligible costs, co-contribution, dates and evidence obligations in its current administrator guidelines before preparing an investment decision.

What should an industrial facility prepare before seeking future decarbonisation funding?

Document the facility boundary, energy use and emissions baseline, proposed technology, expected Scope 1 and Scope 2 outcomes, costs, operating assumptions, measurement plan and delivery risks. Build a commercial case with grant support shown separately. Then test it against the current official rules of an actual open opportunity rather than the historical NIT article.

Can Northmore Gordon help even though NIT is closed?

Northmore Gordon's published services include energy audits, carbon advisory and measurement and verification. These can help a facility assess options, quantify a baseline and plan evidence for a project. They do not create an application pathway to the closed NIT Program; any future funding opportunity must be checked with its administrator.

Where can I check the official status of NIT and IETS?

Use ARENA's NIT page at https://arena.gov.au/funding/national-industrial-transformation-program/ and its former IETS page at https://arena.gov.au/funding/industrial-energy-transformation-studies-program/. Both were checked on 23 October 2026 and state that they are closed to new applications. Recheck the administrator before acting because funding status can change.

Images on This Page