Australia’s specialist funding pathways for investors in priority sectors

Businesses looking to invest in Australia will find a suite of specialist direct investment vehicles (SIVs) that support projects crucial to the country’s net zero ambitions and economic security.

SIVs collectively manage billions of dollars in public capital and financing capacity. They help mobilise private capital into many of Australia’s highest-growth sectors, including clean energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, housing and strategic infrastructure.

Delivering a Future Made in Australia

SIVs play a key role in delivering the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The agenda sets out how Australia plans to maximise the economic and industrial benefits of the move to net zero and secure its place in a changing global economic and strategic landscape. Read more about the agenda and the opportunities for investors in this insight article.

The investment vehicles align their funding with sectors identified as crucial to achieving net zero and economic security under the Future Made in Australia agenda.

These sectors include:

• critical minerals processing
• renewable hydrogen
• low-carbon liquid fuels (LCLF)
• green metals
• clean energy manufacturing.

SIVs provide international investors with structured entry points across the full investment lifecycle – from early-stage innovation and technology commercialisation through to large-scale infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, energy transition projects and global expansion.

Many large and noteworthy projects in Australia have benefited from SIV funding, including:

• The Blyth Battery project in South Australia received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Large-Scale Battery Storage Fund. Neoen contracted NHOA Energy and Elecnor Australia to construct the 238 MW / 477 MWh battery.
• ACEREZ, a partnership between ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy, received A$750 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to develop the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in New South Wales.
• Western Australian resources company Arafura Rare Earths has started building its Nolans rare earths project after receiving funding from Export Finance Australia, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) works closely with SIVs to deliver the priorities of the Future Made in Australia agenda. Austrade can connect investors to the relevant SIV to foster commercial connections and unlock investment opportunities. We can also invite SIV representatives to meet with visiting investor delegations.

The Blyth Battery project in South Australia received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Large-Scale Battery Storage Fund.

Australia’s specialist direct investment vehicles

The specialist direct investment vehicles listed below focus on projects that advance Australia’s net zero goals and strengthen economic security under the Future Made in Australia agenda.

Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports the global transition to net zero emissions by accelerating innovation and the deployment of renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency technologies, to the benefit of all Australians. Since 2012, ARENA has supported 832 projects with over A$4.43 billion in grant funding, unlocking a total investment of almost A$32.8 billion in Australia’s renewable energy industry.

ARENA’s investment priorities focus on strengthening key areas that will help create a smooth transition to a decarbonised economy. These areas include ultra low-cost solar, renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, low-emissions metals and transport decarbonisation.

As well as running the Advancing Renewables Program, ARENA administers several funding programs on behalf of the Australian Government, including the A$1.5 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. Funding spans the entire innovation chain, from research to large-scale deployment.

For more information, visit the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) plays an important role in mobilising investment into the industries, technologies and infrastructure needed for a net zero economy. As Australia’s specialist climate investor, the CEFC has access to more than A$33 billion from the Australian Government. It invests with commercial rigour across debt and equity markets to accelerate decarbonisation and support economic growth.

The CEFC invests in renewable energy, transmission, energy storage, clean transport and climate technology, helping commercialise emerging opportunities and scale proven solutions. It has committed A$24.2 billion since 2012, delivering a total project value of A$97 billion (as at December 2025). By catalysing investment from the private sector, the CEFC helps unlock capital, build market confidence and strengthen Australia’s clean energy industries.

‘The CEFC is helping unlock investment opportunities across Australia’s clean energy transition, working alongside private and institutional investors. We see significant potential for international capital to play a key role in this transformation,’ says Simon Every, Chief Public Affairs Officer, CEFC.

The CEFC can make investments that are solely or mainly Australian-based and that feature renewable energy, energy efficiency and/or low-emissions technologies. Investments must comply with the CEFC Act and the CEFC Investment Mandate Direction. Individual investment decisions are made on a case-by-case basis in line with CEFC strategic investment priorities and its investment policies.

For more information, visit Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Export Finance Australia

Export Finance Australia (EFA) provides finance for projects that strengthen Australia’s economic resilience and security and support the net zero transformation. Through the National Interest Account, EFA can finance eligible domestic projects aligned with the Government’s National Interest Framework. These include projects in priority areas such as critical minerals processing, low carbon liquid fuels, green metals, renewable hydrogen and clean energy manufacturing.

‘Australia offers a rare combination of world-class natural resources, technical expertise, policy certainty and access to growing global markets,’ says Philippa King, Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer, Export Finance Australia. ‘The Future Made in Australia agenda is creating significant opportunities across critical minerals, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing supply chains.’

EFA works alongside the private sector to help close financing gaps in these areas and mobilise additional investment into strategically important projects. Investors and project proponents are encouraged to engage with EFA early, particularly as projects move from development towards financing and execution.

While every project is assessed on its merits, proponents are generally expected to have a clear business case, a credible path to commercialisation, appropriate approvals underway or secured, and evidence that EFA’s involvement would support financing that may not otherwise be available from the commercial market.

For more information, visit Export Finance Australia.

National Reconstruction Fund Corporation

The A$15 billion National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) provides investment across the capital stack to companies and projects involving manufacturing and delivering sovereign capability across priority areas of the Australian economy.

NRFC can offer debt, equity or hybrid investments to support activities that are wholly or mainly Australian-based across:

• renewables and low-emissions technologies
• defence
• transport
• resources value-adding
• agriculture, forestry and fisheries (value adding)
• medical science.

The NRFC also operates the A$5 billion Net Zero Fund, designed to support Australian industrial firms to decarbonise as well as backing low-emissions technologies.

‘The NRFC is working to deliver sovereign capability and future prosperity for Australia,’ says NRFC CEO David Gall. ‘We do this by investing in companies and projects in areas where Australia has competitive advantages and an ability to compete and win on the global stage. We welcome proposals, engagements and collaborative co-investments that can help us deliver on these aims.’

NRFC does not provide grants and looks to engage with proposals that are investment-ready, where there is a viable path to market and a clear understanding of future revenue.

Potential applicants can find information around eligibility and NRF’s investment process by visiting the National Reconstruction Fund.

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

The A$7 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is helping unlock the infrastructure needed to support new industries, strengthen supply chains and drive private investment across the north.

NAIF finances projects across the Northern Territory, and those parts of Queensland and Western Australia above the Tropic of Capricorn. NAIF provides patient, flexible capital that can de-risk projects and attract private investment, particularly in early-stage or first-of-kind developments.

Over the past 10 years, NAIF has committed more than A$4.5 billion across 35 projects in energy, resources, agriculture, transport, water and social infrastructure.

NAIF prioritises projects that deliver public benefit, support Indigenous participation and outcomes, and contribute to the sustainable development of the region. Projects must:

• involve the development or material enhancement of infrastructure
• be of public benefit
• be located in or have significant benefit to northern Australia
• demonstrate an ability to repay or refinance the debt
• have an Indigenous Engagement Strategy (excluding Indian Ocean Territories).

‘NAIF plays a critical role in enabling transformational infrastructure that helps unlock investment in sectors central to the Future Made in Australia agenda, including critical minerals, renewable energy, low-emissions industries and strategic enabling infrastructure,’ says Neil MacDonald, CEO of NAIF.

‘We encourage investors and proponents to engage with us early, ideally during project development and feasibility stages, so we can help assess project readiness and financing pathways.’

For more information, visit Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

How Austrade helps investors

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) supports foreign investors to establish and expand operations in Australia. Our experts in Australia and around the world can help investors through every stage of their investment journey.

Austrade works directly with investors to provide the specific information and data needed to scope projects and build the business case. We provide market research reports; curated information on regulatory issues and their impact on the proposed project; and guidance on grants and incentives. Austrade can also organise introductions to potential joint ventures, local project proponent partners; government agencies, and investment vehicles.

For information on investment opportunities in Australia, contact an Austrade investment specialist.