Sustainability Incentives Scheme
Cash back to implement sustainable practices and technology
Our sustainability incentives scheme offer cash back for residents, businesses, and groups to make sustainable practices and technology more accessible and affordable.
The incentives and rebates help lower the cost of sustainable technologies, increase property value, and help cut your energy bills while reducing carbon emissions.
Incentives and rebates
Select a category to see which incentives you can apply for:
Appliance Electrification
Appliance electrification
50% up to $2,000
Residential replacement of gas or wood burning appliance with electric or solar powered (e.g. hot water).
Appliance Electrification
Appliance electrification
50% up to $10,000
Commercial replacement of gas or wood burning appliance with electric or solar powered (e.g. hot water).
Appliance Electrification
Appliance electrification
50% up to $10,000
Replacement of gas or wood burning appliance with electric or solar powered (e.g. hot water).
Energy Storage
Energy Storage
Energy Storage
Solar PV
Solar PV
Solar PV
Switchboard upgrades
Switchboard upgrades
50% up to $5,000
Switchboard upgrades to support electrification, solar and/or battery installation, or EV charging.
Switchboard upgrades
Switchboard upgrades
50% up to $5,000
Switchboard upgrades to support electrification, solar and/or battery installation, or EV charging.
Switchboard upgrades
Switchboard upgrades
50% up to $5,000
Switchboard upgrades to support electrification, solar and/or battery installation, or EV charging.
Active Transportation
Active Transport
20% up to $500
e-bike or cargo bike.
20% up to $200
Bike parking racks.
Bike parking racks only available for Residential Strata
Active Transportation
Active Transportation
20% up to $500
e-bike or cargo bike.
20% up to $200
Bike parking racks.
Bike parking racks only available for Community or Sporting Facilities
Active Transportation
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
50% up to $1,000 per dedicated charging station
Electric vehicle one way charging station (up to 50 kW)
Commercial green waste diversion
Commercial green waste diversion
50% up to $5,000
Commercial rapid composter, dehydrator or similar system to divert green waste from landfill
Commercial green waste diversion
Commercial green waste diversion
50% up to $5,000
Commercial rapid composter, dehydrator or similar system to divert green waste from landfill.
Commercial green waste diversion
Commercial green waste diversion
50% up to $5,000
Commercial rapid composter, dehydrator or similar system to divert green waste from landfill.
Available to residential strata that have no green waste collection service but do have a garden.
Food Organics Waste Collection Service
Food Organics Collection
Up to $4000
Six-months expenses for contracting a food organics collection service.
Food Organics Waste Collection Service
Food Organics Collection
Up to $4000
Six-months expenses for contracting a food organics collection service.
Suppliers of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
Reusable Delivery Transport Containers Services
50% up to $500
Services that deliver back-of-house supplies in reusable containers to your business.
Suppliers of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
Reusable Delivery Transport Containers Services
50% up to $500
Services that deliver back-of-house supplies in reusable containers to your business.
Initial Purchase of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
Initial Purchase of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
50% up to $10,000
Initial purchase of reusable transport containers between supplier and business.
Initial Purchase of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
Initial Purchase of Reusable Delivery Transport Containers
50% up to $10,000
Initial purchase of reusable transport containers between supplier and business.
Indoor sorting bins and hard waste collection
Indoor sorting bins
50% up to $5,000
Purchase of indoor resource recovery sorting bins (minimum 3-bin system) with accompanying educational signage and (if required) a one-off hard waste collection to remove unwanted items and increase storage space for resource recovery.
Indoor sorting bins
Indoor sorting bins
50% up to $5,000
Purchase of indoor resource recovery sorting bins (minimum 3-bin system) with accompanying educational signage and (if required) a one-off hard waste collection to remove unwanted items and increase storage space for resource recovery.
Thermal Efficient Window or Door
Thermal efficient window or door
50% up to $3,500
Replacement of windows or doors with thermally efficient windows or doors.
Thermal Efficient Window or Door
Thermal efficient window or door
50% up to $3,500
Replacement of windows or doors with thermally efficient windows or doors.
Thermal Efficient Window or Door
Thermal efficient window or door
50% up to $3,500
Replacement of windows or doors with thermally efficient windows or doors.
Shading Devices
Shading devices
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and install fixed outdoor shading devices to shade glass windows and doors.
Green Walls and Roofs
50% up to $5,000
Design and installation of green wall or green roof features on the property.
Maintenance plan must be provided.
Green Walls and Roofs
50% up to $5,000
Design and installation of green wall or green roof features on the property.
Maintenance plan must be provided.
Green Walls and Roofs
50% up to $5,000
Design and installation of green wall or green roof features on the property.
Maintenance plan must be provided.
Shading Devices
Shading devices
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and install fixed outdoor shading devices to shade glass windows and doors.
Shading Devices
Shading devices
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and install fixed outdoor shading devices to shade glass windows and doors.
Trees and Native Plants
Trees and native plants
Up to $100
Purchase of selected* established mature trees or up to 10 tube stock to be planted on private property from a dedicated native nursery such as Provenance Indigenous Plants (Salisbury Park) or State Flora Nursery (Belair).
*See Council’s approved plant list.
Trees and Native Plants
Trees and native plants
Up to $100
Purchase of selected* established mature trees or up to 10 tube stock to be planted on private property from a dedicated native nursery such as Provenance Indigenous Plants (Salisbury Park) or State Flora Nursery (Belair).
*See Council’s approved plant list.
Trees and Native Plants
Trees and native plants
Up to $100
Purchase of selected* established mature trees or up to 10 tube stock to be planted on private property from a dedicated native nursery such as Provenance Indigenous Plants (Salisbury Park) or State Flora Nursery (Belair).
*See Council’s approved plant list.
Insulation
Insulation
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and installation of insulation in a ceiling space, under floor space or wall.
Insulation
Insulation
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and installation of insulation in a ceiling space, under floor space or wall.
Insulation
Insulation
50% up to $2,000
Purchase and installation of insulation in a ceiling space, under floor space or wall.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
50% up to $1,000 per dedicated charging station
Electric vehicle one way charging station (up to 50 kW)
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
50% up to $1,000 per dedicated charging station
Electric vehicle one way charging station (up to 50 kW)
Rainwater Tanks
50% up to $5,000
For purchase, installation and plumbing of a rainwater tank.
Rainwater Tanks
50% up to $5,000
For purchase, installation and plumbing of a rainwater tank.
Rainwater Tanks
50% up to $5,000
For purchase, installation and plumbing of a rainwater tank.
Whole Building Approach - Bundled Incentives
Part one: Design & Documentation
50% up to $10,000
For professional advice and documentation to build a business case for whole-building approaches to sustainability.
Part two: Bundled Incentives
50% up to $20,000
For buildings 4 stories or fewer to address 2 or more incentives for the whole building
50% up to $40,000
For buildings of 5 or more stories to address 2 or more incentives for the whole building
Can apply for one or both parts of incentive. Pre-commitment required.
Whole Building Approach - Bundled Incentives
Part one: Design & Documentation
50% up to $10,000
For professional advice and documentation to build a business case for whole-building approaches to sustainability.
Part two: Bundled Incentives
50% up to $20,000
For buildings 4 stories or fewer to address 2 or more incentives for the whole building
50% up to $40,000
For buildings of 5 or more stories to address 2 or more incentives for the whole building
Can apply for one or both parts of incentive. Pre-commitment required.
How to apply
Before you apply, check the Terms and Conditions to make sure your project is eligible and you have the required documentation to apply.
You can preview the application form and apply on our SmartyGrants portal.
Terms and Conditions
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Sustainability Incentives Scheme?
Residents, businesses, and community groups located within the City of Adelaide municipal area (postcodes 5000–5006) can apply.
My property is in a strata or body corporate. Can I still apply?
Yes. Many incentives are available to residential strata, community corporations, and body corporates. You will need to provide proof of approval from the body corporate or equivalent body before applying.
I am a tenant, not a property owner. Am I eligible?
Yes, tenants can apply for most incentives. You may need to provide a written letter of permission from your landlord to accompany your application.
Can I apply if I am already receiving another City of Adelaide grant for the same project?
No. Applications cannot receive funding through other City of Adelaide grants or incentive programs for the same product or service. (Adaptive Reuse projects are an exception)
Is funding guaranteed once I submit my application?
No. The scheme's funding is subject to Council's annual budget and is limited. Council reserves the right to cease the scheme at any time. Funding is only guaranteed where a valid pre-commitment has been approved and activated.
How do I apply?
Applications are made online through the 'Apply Now' button on this page. You will need to provide supporting documentation relevant to your chosen incentive.
How long do I have to submit my application after completing my project?
Applications must be submitted within 12 months of project completion.
What documents do I need to provide with my application?
All applications require the following:
- An itemised receipt confirming full payment (including any discounts or grants applied)
- Certificates of Compliance for any gas, electrical, or plumbing works
- Body corporate approval (if strata property)
- Landlord permission letter (if applicable)
- ABN (if applicable)
- Commonwealth Concession Card (if applicable)
Each incentive also has its own specific documentation requirements — check the Terms & Conditions for details.
Do I need a Development Approval (DA) before I can apply?
If a DA is required for your project, you must obtain it before installation. The incentive will only be provided once the DA is granted, the system is installed in accordance with the DA conditions, and the relevant paperwork is submitted. It is your responsibility to check whether a DA is needed. For more information use our Planning advice service.
Do my installers need to be accredited?
Yes. All devices and sustainability measures must be installed by appropriately licensed and accredited installers. For solar PV and energy storage systems, installers must be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
How is the rebate calculated?
Each incentive offers a percentage rebate on your out-of-pocket costs, up to a specified maximum. The rebate is calculated after all other grants, rebates, incentives, and discounts you have already received have been deducted from the total cost.
How long does it take to receive payment?
Once your application is approved, Council may take up to 30 working days to pay the incentive.
Can I claim multiple incentives at the same time?
Yes, in most cases. You can apply for multiple incentives across different categories. However, each incentive has limits — typically one application per property per incentive type. For larger, whole building projects combining multiple upgrades, the Whole Building Approach – Bundled Incentives may offer a higher rebate.
What incentives are available?
The scheme covers a wide range of sustainability upgrades across five main categories:
- Smart & green energy — appliance electrification, switchboard upgrades, solar PV, EV charging, energy storage
- Active transportation — e-bikes, cargo bikes, bike parking racks
- Climate ready buildings — shading devices, thermal efficient windows/doors, insulation, rainwater tanks, green walls and roofs, trees and native plants
- Resource recovery — food organics waste collection services, Commercial Green Waste Diversion, indoor sorting bins, reusable transport containers
- Whole Buildings Approach – Bundled Incentives for larger projects
What is the Whole Building Approach - Bundled Incentives – and who is it for?
This incentive supports large-scale, whole-building sustainability projects that combine two or more other incentives. It offers higher rebates than applying for incentives individually: up to $20,000 for buildings of four storeys or fewer, and up to $40,000 for five storeys or more. It is available to commercial properties, commercial and residential strata buildings, and adaptive reuse projects. A pre-commitment is mandatory for this incentive.
What is a pre-commitment and do I need one?
A pre-commitment reserves funding for your project before work begins, giving you certainty that an incentive payment will be available once the installation is complete and all requirements are met. A pre-commitment is mandatory for the Whole Building Approach – Bundled Incentives, but is available (not required) for all other incentives.
How long does a pre-commitment last?
Pre-commitments are limited to the current financial year — they do not carry over. The default period is three months from the date of approval. If your application is received within the last three months of the financial year, an alternative timeframe will be set out in writing.
What do I need to apply for a pre-commitment?
You need to submit an itemised quote from your service provider as part of your pre-commitment application. Once the work is completed, you will then need to provide the full supporting documentation (including itemised receipts) to receive the incentive payment.
Adaptive Reuse Projects Rebates
If you’re converting a property from commercial to residential, you may also be eligible for the Adaptive Reuse City Housing Initiative (ARCHI) Incentives Scheme.
Case studies
See how our community has embraced sustainable practices and reduced carbon emissions in their homes and businesses.
Need more information?
For more information about the Sustainability Incentives Scheme, please submit an online enquiry or call our customer centre.