RFPs: Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program (Australia)

The Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program provides up to $12,000 to support existing residential buildings in the City of Perth to undertake comprehensive sustainability assessments. The program helps buildings identify energy efficiency improvements, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resource management, and strengthen climate resilience through evidence-based sustainability planning.

Overview of the Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program

The Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program is offered by the City of Perth to help residential building owners improve environmental performance and sustainability outcomes.

The program supports professional sustainability assessments that evaluate existing building performance, identify improvement opportunities, and guide future upgrades.

The initiative is designed to help residential buildings become more resource-efficient, reduce environmental impacts, and improve long-term climate resilience.

Purpose of the Grant Program

The main purpose of the grant is to support residential buildings in understanding their current sustainability performance and planning practical improvements.

The program helps applicants:

• Assess environmental performance.
• Identify energy and resource efficiency opportunities.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Improve climate resilience.
• Develop informed sustainability upgrade plans.

Program Alignment with City of Perth Sustainability Priorities

The grant supports the City of Perth Capital City Plan and Sustainability Strategy through three key outcomes:

Climate-Focused City

The program supports projects that:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Improve climate resilience.
• Encourage climate-conscious building management.

Resource-Conscious City

The program encourages:

• Reduced resource consumption.
• Improved waste management.
• Better use of energy, water, and materials.

Thriving and Inclusive City

The program aims to ensure that sustainability benefits are accessible to residential communities by:

• Improving quality of life.
• Supporting healthier living environments.
• Creating shared sustainability benefits for residents.

Funding Amount

Eligible applicants can receive:

• Up to $12,000 per complete Residential Sustainability Assessment

Funding conditions include:

• Each building can receive the grant once every three financial years.
• The City may provide partial funding depending on the assessment scope.
• Variations to the standard assessment scope may be considered if properly justified.

What Does the Grant Support?

The program supports one specific project type:

Comprehensive Residential Sustainability Assessment

The assessment should provide:

• A review of current building performance.
• Identification of sustainability improvement opportunities.
• Recommendations for reducing emissions.
• Guidance for future sustainability upgrades.

The assessment must relate to:

• Common building areas, or
• Improvements that provide a clear benefit to residential occupants.

Eligible Building Types

The grant is available for:

• Residential strata-titled buildings.
• Student accommodation providers.
• Aged accommodation providers.
• Supported accommodation providers.

Mixed-use buildings may also apply if the sustainability benefits primarily support residential occupants.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Eligible Applicants

Applications can be submitted by:

• Body corporates or owners corporations of existing residential strata-titled buildings.
• Providers of student accommodation.
• Providers of aged accommodation.
• Providers of supported accommodation with at least four residential dwellings.

Organisational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a legally constituted entity.
• Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Be located within the City of Perth local government area.
• Have appropriate insurance coverage.
• Hold required licences and approvals.
• Demonstrate financial capacity to complete the project without relying entirely on City funding.

Consultant Requirements

Applicants must engage appropriately qualified external consultants to complete the sustainability assessment.

The consultant should have suitable expertise to:

• Assess building sustainability performance.
• Identify improvement opportunities.
• Provide practical recommendations.

Why This Grant Matters

Residential buildings contribute significantly to energy consumption, resource use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant helps communities by:

• Supporting evidence-based sustainability decisions.
• Reducing environmental impacts.
• Improving building efficiency.
• Helping residents prepare for future climate challenges.
• Encouraging long-term sustainable development.

How the Grant Works

Step 1: Identify Building Sustainability Needs

Applicants should identify why a sustainability assessment is required and how it will benefit residents.

Step 2: Engage a Qualified Consultant

Applicants must select an appropriately qualified external consultant to undertake the assessment.

Step 3: Prepare the Application

Applications should include:

• Building details.
• Applicant information.
• Proposed assessment scope.
• Consultant information.
• Project timeline.
• Funding requirements.

Step 4: Submit Before Project Commencement

Applications must be submitted before the assessment begins.

Applicants should allow sufficient time for City review and approval.

Step 5: Complete Assessment and Use Findings

Successful applicants complete the sustainability assessment and use the recommendations to plan future improvements.

Application Timeline and Process

Applications:

• Are accepted at any time.
• Must be submitted at least eight weeks before the proposed project start date.
• Are assessed individually.

Funding decisions depend on:

• Available budget.
• Strategic priorities.
• Quality of the proposed assessment.

The program operates as exhaustive funding, meaning applications may close once available funds have been fully allocated.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are considered based on:

• Alignment with sustainability objectives.
• Community benefit.
• Quality of the proposed assessment approach.
• Suitability of consultants.
• Project feasibility.
• Available funding resources.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Starting the assessment before receiving approval.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Choosing consultants without suitable qualifications.
• Requesting funding for projects without clear communal benefits.
• Applying for individual apartment improvements rather than common-area or shared benefits.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Clearly explaining sustainability challenges.
• Demonstrating benefits for residents.
• Providing a detailed assessment scope.
• Selecting experienced sustainability professionals.
• Showing how findings will support future improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program?

It is a City of Perth funding program that supports residential buildings to undertake sustainability assessments and identify opportunities to improve environmental performance.

How much funding is available?

Eligible applicants can receive up to $12,000 for one complete Residential Sustainability Assessment.

Who can apply for the grant?

Eligible applicants include residential strata bodies, owners corporations, and providers of student, aged, or supported accommodation with at least four residential dwellings.

Can mixed-use buildings apply?

Yes. Mixed-use buildings can apply if the sustainability benefits primarily support residential occupants.

What does the grant fund?

The grant funds comprehensive sustainability assessments that review building performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen climate resilience.

How often can a building receive the grant?

A building can receive the grant once every three financial years.

When should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted at least eight weeks before the proposed project start date and before any assessment work begins.

Conclusion

The Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant Program provides an opportunity for residential buildings in the City of Perth to understand their environmental performance and plan meaningful sustainability improvements. By supporting professional assessments, the program helps reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency, and create more climate-resilient and sustainable residential communities.