Small Business Energy Saver Program – Funded projects

Last updated: 6 June 2025
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Number of recipients to date: 5,051
Total funding awarded to date: $5,010,000
All projects to be completed by: June 2023

The Small Business Energy Saver program provided a bonus incentive to small businesses to upgrade operating equipment to:

  • increase energy efficiency
  • reduce energy bills
  • reduce emissions.

It ran from March 2021 until June 2022.

The program delivered $5 million in bonuses to small businesses across Victoria to support their transition to a low-cost, energy-efficient business model.

Equipment upgrades eligible for the bonus included:

  • replacing inefficient electric hot water systems
  • replacing inefficient gas hot water systems
  • upgrading to efficient room reverse cycle air-conditioners
  • installing energy-efficient refrigerator display cabinets
  • installing energy-efficient fridges and freezers.

Although this program has ended, small businesses can still upgrade to more energy efficient equipment through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

Fund recipients

Announcement date: 1 July 2022

Funds were awarded to small businesses to upgrade their operating equipment at a discounted rate.

By upgrade

Here is a list of the type of equipment installed or upgraded and the number of businesses:

  • Water heating – heat pump replacing electric resistance: 2,910.
  • Refrigerator cabinet – 1,703.
  • High efficiency refrigerator and freezer – 297.
  • Space heating- room air to air heat pump 234.
  • Cold room – 2.
  • Water heating – gas/LPG instantaneous replacing electric resistance: 2.

By region

Here is a list by region of the number of businesses that received funding:

  • Southern metropolitan – 1,667.
  • Northern metropolitan – 1,162.
  • Western metropolitan – 1,061.
  • Eastern metropolitan – 657.
  • Inner South-East metropolitan – 202.
  • Inner metropolitan – 303.
  • Barwon South West – 291.
  • Gippsland – 230.
  • Hume – 196.
  • Grampians –156.
  • Loddon Mallee – 137.

By industry (Top 15)

Here is a list by industry of the number of businesses that received funding:

  • Food and beverage services – 1119.
  • Other: automotive including brakes, car repair, caravans and motor repair: – 738.
  • Professional services – 569.
  • Manufacturing – other: 412.
  • Retail trade: store-based – 312.
  • Retail trade: food retailing – 304.
  • Retail trade: motor vehicle – 284.
  • Construction: building and other – 168.
  • Manufacturing: furniture – 129.
  • Warehousing and storage services – 101.
  • Transport services – 77.
  • Wholesale trade: motor vehicle and parts – 68.
  • Wholesale trade: other goods – 66.
  • Hair and beauty – 60.
  • Sports and recreation: gym, sports clubs and other – 58.

This grant program is closed, but you can email us if you have any queries.