The ACT Government has released its 2025–26 Budget, with a strong focus on workforce development and consumer energy initiatives – areas of importance to the electrical industry.

Key budgetary commitments which impact small electrical businesses include:

Workforce Development

• Subsidies increased to 90% for qualifications in the building and construction sector through the User Choice (Australian Apprenticeships) program.
• One-off payments of $250 for all ACT apprentices and trainees, with an additional $250 for first-year participants.
• Continued rollout of the Try-a-Trade program in five public schools, expanding to ten from 2026–27.

 Small Business Support

• Ongoing implementation of the ACT Small Business Strategy through:
  • Extension of the Canberra Advice and Support Service
  • Social Enterprise Grant Program
  • Industry Event Sponsorships

Consumer Energy and Electrification

• Expansion of the Sustainable Household Scheme, offering low-interest loans for:
  • Battery storage
  • Zero-emissions vehicles and chargers
  • Ceiling insulation
  • Energy-efficient electric appliances
• $14.989 million over four years for the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, including support for low-income households and small businesses.
• $21.776 million over four years to support electrification of public housing, including upgrades of gas appliances to appropriate electrical alternatives in public housing.

Read more about the ACT 2025–26 Budget here.