
Climate resilient homes for 100,000 Australians
Energise the Australian Energy Foundation to empower 100,000 climate resilient people.
For healthier people and a healthier world.
Together, we are practical visionaries
- cut living costs by reducing energy use
- reduce emissions by adopting renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, and
- create homes that enable people to be happy and healthy.
We want all Australians to have access to the affordable and renewable energy they need to:

If we work together, the Australian Energy Foundation can expand its reach to 100,000 Australians each year to be part of the energy transition.
In 2020-21, we directly engaged with almost 18,000 Australians which equates to indirectly reaching almost 47,000 Australians within their households^.
With your support we can expand our reach and generate positive outcomes for community and environment.
^Based on ABS data of an average of 2.6 people per household across Australia.
We need to rapidly and affordably decarbonise Australian homes
Australian homes waste energy
~Source: CSIRO, Energy Rating – National Overview, 2021. NatHERS: Nationwide Home Energy Rating Scheme. *ACEEE, The 2018 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard, 2018.
Few Australians have access to renewable energy
^Source: Clean Energy Council, Clean Energy Australia Report 2021, 2021.
Many Australians are in energy debt
More Australians need jobs
Ensuring all Australians are part of the energy transition
Energy poverty and inequity has become and will continue to be a big problem in Australia, with far too many households unable to pay their electricity bills and use basic amenities – including heating and cooling their homes. Deaths as a result of heatwaves are at an all-time high and harsh winters are also felt acutely in energy inefficient housing stock, affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals within households. This past year has been tough for many.
More than 240,000 Australians are experiencing energy poverty (spending 5% or more of net income on energy bills), particularly large, low-income families.+ This has a direct impact on quality of life. AEF works with many families experiencing hardship and struggling to meet their basic needs due to high energy bills. We understand which households are experiencing what types of energy insecurity issues, why and how we can help. Here are a few of the most at-risk Australian households who we can directly help to access more affordable energy and energy efficient appliances:
Smith Family
6.8% of income spent on home energy use.
- Catastrophic Event
- Large growing family
- Experiencing energy poverty
- Digital disadvantage
Mavis
4.6% of income spent on home energy use.
- Disability
- Elderly
- At risk of experiencing energy poverty
- Chronic illness
- Life support customer
- Digital disadvantage
Mia, Lily & Sam
8.8% of income spent on home energy use.
- Large growing family
- Single parent
- Experiencing energy poverty
+Source: KPMG, The rise of energy poverty in Australia – both a social and moral issue, 2017.
Together, we can empower 100,000 Australians
Action 1
» Increase Energy Advisors.
» Increase channels to access energy advice.
Outcome
» 32,000 households learn how to save energy and connect with renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrade installers – benefiting approx. 82,000 Australians.
Action 2
» Increase energy technology adoption and behaviour change pilots.
Outcome
» Better financial hardship protections for people experiencing energy poverty.
» Better incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency adoption.
Action 3
» Increase home energy efficiency upgrades.
Outcome
» A scalable financial model for upgrades.
» 6,500 households gain the direct benefits of home energy assessments or upgrades – benefitting approx. 17,000 Australians.
Why the Australian Energy Foundation?
- 20+ year track record delivering effective community energy programs and services.
- An independent and trusted voice providing impartial advice on energy products and services.
- Attuned to the needs of vulnerable people.
- Strong network of partners, including community organisations, suppliers and installers, electricity distributors and retailers.
- One of a very small number of community energy organisations that can reach policymakers and make the case for an equitable zero carbon society.
Your organisation can become an AEF Energiser
Be part of accelerating the transition to an equitable zero carbon society
- Enhance the sustainability credentials of your organisation
- Partner with a trusted organisation with 20 years experience empowering communities
- Access stories for use in your organisation’s communications
- Access employee engagement opportunities for your organisation (e.g. purposeful professional development opportunities, workplace information sessions)
- Sponsors will:
- Be recognised through AEF’s communication channels (if desired)
- Receive invitations to AEF events
- Gain access to AEF member benefits (excl. voting rights) for a number of people commensurate to the size of the sponsorship
Your organisation financial giving
You can direct your giving to AEF via:
Energiser Innovation Sponsorship | $50,000+ (+GST^)
Fund an innovation pilot or demonstration project to pinpoint how to rapidly achieve an equitable zero carbon society.
Or if you want to give to AEF because you support the impact we are creating but don’t need anything in return except our appreciation, you can direct your giving via:
Optimisation Gift | $10,000+ (+GST^)
Fund enhancements to AEF’s trusted energy services to improve accessibility, reach, and depth of impact.

^ Australian Energy Foundation is a registered charity through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. AEF does not currently have deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
Get in touch to find out more
Join our growing community of AEF Supporters
Sources and additional information
What is climate resilience and why does it matter? See this explanation by the Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions.
*Calculation based on using AEF 2020/2021 impact results
Definition of energy poverty: In our experience households with energy bill of 5% of net income or greater are highly likely to be experiencing energy poverty. Approximately 1-2% of Australians are experiencing energy poverty.
Australian Energy Foundation is a registered charity through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. AEF does not currently have deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.