Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023

Administered by Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Legislation au F2023L01486 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023

made under section 33 of the

Industry Research and Development Act 1986

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 25 March 2026

Includes amendments: F2026L00314

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 25/03/2026 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1  Name

3  Authority

4  Definitions

5  Prescribed program

6  Specified legislative power

7  Eligibility criteria relating to program

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under section 33 of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.

4  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.

carbon management technologies means carbon dioxide capture, carbon dioxide utilisation and carbon dioxide removal technologies, including carbon dioxide storage technologies and other technologies that are integral to those technologies.

Kyoto Protocol means the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, done at Kyoto on 11 December 1997, as in force for Australia from time to time.

Note:          The Protocol is in Australian Treaty Series 2008 No. 2 ([2008] ATS 2) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).

Paris Agreement means the Paris Agreement, done at Paris on 12 December 2015, as in force for Australia from time to time.

Note:          The Agreement is in Australian Treaty Series 2016 No. 24 ([2016] ATS 24) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).

program: see subsection 5(1).

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change means the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, done at New York on 9 May 1992, as in force for Australia from time to time.

Note:          The Convention is in Australian Treaty Series 1994 No. 2 ([1994] ATS 2) and could in 2023 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).

5  Prescribed program

 (1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, the Carbon Capture Technologies Program (the program) is prescribed.

 (2) The program provides funding to support the research, development and demonstration of carbon management technologies.

 (3) The purpose of the program is to:

 (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions to contribute to meeting Australia’s greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations; and

 (b) accelerate the research, development and demonstration of emerging and priority carbon management technologies to:

 (i)  broaden the application of carbon management technologies to include hard-to-abate sectors (including the cement, chemicals and steel sectors), other non-energy industrial emissions and negative emissions technologies; and

 (ii)  assist in reducing the costs of such technologies.

6  Specified legislative power

  For the purposes of subsection 33(3) of the Act, the powers of the Parliament to make laws with respect to the following are specified:

 (a) trade and commerce with other countries, and among the States (within the meaning of paragraph 51(i) of the Constitution;

 (b) foreign corporations, and trading or financial corporations formed within the limits of the Commonwealth (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution);

 (c) external affairs (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxix) of the Constitution) as it relates to measures that would assist Australia to meet its obligations under one or more of the following:

 (i) the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly Article 4;

 (ii) the Kyoto Protocol, particularly Article 10;

 (iii) the Paris Agreement, particularly Article 4; 

 (d) matters in respect of which this Constitution makes provision until the Parliament otherwise provides (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxxvi) of the Constitution) together with section 96 of the Constitution;

 (e) the government of a Territory (within the meaning of section 122 of the Constitution)

7  Eligibility criteria relating to program

  For the purposes of subsection 33(4) of the Act, the eligibility criteria relating to the program include the requirement that research, development and demonstration in relation to, or for the purposes of:

 (a) supporting fossil fuel production or fossil fuel energy generation; and

 (b) supporting the extraction of coal or natural gas, including via enhanced petroleum recovery or other means;

  are not eligible activities for funding under the program.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

p = page(s)

amdt = amendment

para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

cl = clause(s)

prev = previous

cont. = continued

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rep = repealed

effect

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

sch = Schedule(s)

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

cannot be given effect

SR = Statutory Rules

mod = modified/modification

sub ch = SubChapter(s)

No. = Number(s)

sub div = Subdivision(s)

Ord = Ordinance

sub pt = Subpart(s)

 

underlining = whole or part not

 

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023

10 Nov 2023 (see F2023L01486)

11 Nov 2023

 

Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Amendment Instrument 2026

24 Mar 2026 (see F2026L00314)

25 Mar 2026

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2

rep LA s 48D

s 4

am F2026L00314

s 5

am F2026L00314

s 6

rs F2026L00314

s 7

rs F2026L00314

 

Overview

The Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023 was enacted to facilitate the research, development, and demonstration of carbon management technologies. This legislative instrument, made under section 33 of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, aims to support activities that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting Australia's obligations under international climate agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. The program seeks to accelerate the advancement of carbon management technologies, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors and to lower the costs associated with these technologies. The eligibility criteria ensure that activities supporting fossil fuel production or extraction are not funded under this program, aligning with the policy objective of promoting sustainable and low-emission technologies.

Scope and Application

The Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023 applies to entities engaged in the research, development, and demonstration of carbon management technologies, which include carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, removal, and storage technologies. The program is designed to fund activities that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Australia's international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. This legislative instrument extends to the Commonwealth of Australia and is subject to the specified legislative powers under the Industry Research and Development Act 1986. Notably, the program excludes funding for research, development, and demonstration activities that support fossil fuel production or the extraction of coal or natural gas. The scope of the Act may be further extended or modified through subordinate instruments made under the authority of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.

Key Provisions

The Industry Research and Development (Carbon Capture Technologies Program) Instrument 2023, made under section 33 of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986, designates the Carbon Capture Technologies Program (sections 5(1) and (2)) as a prescribed program that receives funding for the research, development, and demonstration of carbon management technologies. This program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the development of carbon management technologies in hard-to-abate sectors and non-energy industrial emissions, as well as negative emissions technologies (section 5(3)). The eligibility criteria exclude funding for research, development, and demonstration activities that support fossil fuel production or extraction of coal or natural gas (section 7). The Act imposes specific obligations on entities seeking funding under the program. These entities must ensure that their proposed activities align with the objectives of the Carbon Capture Technologies Program, which focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering the development of carbon management technologies across various sectors. Entities must also comply with any conditions or requirements stipulated by the government or the responsible authority overseeing the program. Furthermore, entities are expected to adhere to the ethical and legal standards governing research and development activities, including obtaining necessary permits and approvals for their projects. Breaches of the provisions under this Instrument can result in various consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with the Act's requirements, including failure to meet eligibility criteria or misusing program funds. The maximum civil penalty for contravening the Act can be substantial, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. Additionally, criminal penalties may apply for serious violations, such as fraudulent claims for funding or intentional non-compliance with program requirements. These penalties may include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties and consequences are detailed in the relevant sections of the Industry Research and Development Act 1986.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Environmental Law
Climate Change Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.