Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund

Purpose and Program Overview

The Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland governments, established to reduce water pollution flowing into the Great Barrier Reef from urban landscapes. The Fund directs $24 million toward the trial and commercialisation of cost-effective treatment systems that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in wastewater, stormwater and urban run-off.

Although urban areas cover less than one per cent of the Reef catchment, urban run-off contributes a disproportionate share of pollutants entering the Reef, including a meaningful percentage of nutrients and sediment. The Fund addresses this localised but significant impact on Reef water quality by supporting innovators, utilities, researchers and local governments to develop and scale new technologies.

The program plays a broader role in supporting innovation and commercialisation within the water treatment sector. By tackling affordability as a key barrier to uptake, the Fund aims to accelerate the adoption of new urban water management technologies across Queensland and, by extension, support national environmental and innovation objectives.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $4 million per project (Wastewater Grant Program, Tier 1); up to $200,000 (Tier 2); funding also available through the Stormwater Challenge
• Application open: Expressions of interest and applications are currently open for the wastewater grant program and stormwater challenge.
• Application close: Wastewater grant applications close 10 am, Monday, 17 August 2026
• Eligible industries or business types: Local government, urban water management utilities, research organisations, innovators and other interested parties
• Required co-contributions: Tier 1 wastewater applicants must co-invest a cash contribution of at least double the grant amount received; Tier 2 and stormwater challenge contribution requirements are set out in the relevant guidelines
• Location/state applicability: Queensland, within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area

Priority Sectors

The Fund prioritises projects within the urban water management sector, specifically targeting:

• Wastewater treatment and management
• Stormwater management and treatment
• Sediment and erosion control (a future focus area commencing in 2027)

Priority is given to projects demonstrating strong potential for commercial viability and uptake by councils, developers and other potential buyers.

Funding Scope

The Fund is structured across three focus areas delivered over four years to 2030:

• Wastewater grant program: Up to $10 million in total, split into two tiers
  • Tier 1: Grants of up to $4 million for on-ground trials of wastewater treatment approaches ready for operational-scale evaluation
  • Tier 2: Grants of up to $200,000 for the commercialisation of promising wastewater treatment technologies recently introduced to the market
• Stormwater challenge: Over $7 million available, delivered through an innovation-led codesign process supporting on-ground trials and commercialisation pathways
• Sediment and erosion control: A future phase commencing in 2027, informed by outcomes of the wastewater and stormwater initiatives

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must fall within an eligible category, including local government, urban water management utilities, research organisations, or innovators
• Tier 1 applicants must demonstrate the capacity to provide a cash co-contribution of at least double the requested grant amount
• Projects must align with the relevant program guidelines and focus area (wastewater, stormwater, or future sediment/erosion control streams)
• Applicants must review and accept the applicable Funding Agreement template prior to submission
• Specific turnover, insurance, ABN or GST requirements are detailed in the individual program guidelines and should be confirmed before applying

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• On-ground trials of wastewater treatment and management systems at an operational scale
• Commercialisation activities for treatment technologies have recently been introduced to the market
• Codesign and development of new stormwater treatment approaches
• Capital works associated with treatment system trials
• Activities supporting the transition of technology from trial to market-ready status

Assessment Process

The grant programs are competitive. Applications are assessed against criteria set out in the relevant program guidelines, which generally include:

• Technical merit and readiness of the proposed treatment approach
• Strategic alignment with Reef water quality objectives
• Commercial viability and potential for market uptake
• Value for money relative to the requested grant amount

Recent Program Updates

• Expressions of interest are now open for both the wastewater grant program and the stormwater challenge
• A briefing session for interested wastewater grant applicants is scheduled for 1 pm Monday, 6 July 2026, with registration required by Wednesday, 1 July 2026
• The wastewater grant program closes for applications at 10 am Monday, 17 August 2026
• The sediment and erosion control focus area is scheduled to commence in 2027, informed by learnings from the earlier two streams

Application Tips

• Confirm eligibility against the specific tier or stream before preparing an application
• Review the program-specific guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions documents in full
• Prepare financial documentation early, particularly for Tier 1 applicants required to demonstrate co-contribution capacity
• Read the relevant Funding Agreement template before submission to understand contractual obligations
• Attend the scheduled briefing session, where applicable, to clarify assessment expectations
• Align the proposal with the Fund’s objective of reducing nutrient and sediment pollution at an affordable cost
• Clearly demonstrate the project’s commercial pathway and potential for uptake by councils, developers or utilities

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund and other associated Australian government websites.