The funding, delivered through the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), will accelerate the rollout of three key programs: the $1 billion Economic Resilience Program (ERP), the $5 billion Net Zero Fund, and $150 million through the Forestry Growth Fund.
The ERP will provide zero-interest loans to businesses operating in critical supply chains, including fuel and fertiliser, aiming to stabilise essential industries and maintain freight movement across the country. The program is designed to ensure key logistics networks remain operational during periods of market volatility.
The Net Zero Fund, originally scheduled to open later in the year, will now be brought forward to support manufacturing investment and energy efficiency improvements in hard-to-abate sectors. This includes funding for clean energy supply chains such as wind, solar, energy storage, and low-carbon liquid fuels.
Meanwhile, the Forestry Growth Fund will target timber processing and manufacturing, supporting investment in mills and facilities to increase domestic capability and move further up the value chain, particularly in housing construction.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the funding injection is aimed at maintaining economic momentum amid global uncertainty.
“Today we are unlocking billions in capital to keep our economy moving forward,” he says.
“Unprecedented events overseas continue to disrupt businesses here at home – the Economic Resilience Program is about investing in more production for fuel, fertiliser and logistics.”
Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres says the accelerated funding will help businesses respond more quickly to external pressures.
“By bringing forward $6.15 billion in capital, the National Reconstruction Fund can more quickly support businesses to increase production, capability and capacity,” he says.
The programs are part of the Government’s broader $15 billion NRF aimed at rebuilding sovereign industrial capability.
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