The $20 million Hume Hydrogen Highway is jointly funded by the New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian Governments to support the development of a hydrogen refuelling network along the Hume Highway, connecting Australia’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne.
The refuelling network will include at least 4 renewable hydrogen refuelling stations and a fleet of at least 25 hydrogen-powered trucks to use the network for linehaul transportation.
The heavy transport sector is one of NSW and Victoria’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and the Hume Highway is Australia’s busiest freight network. The development of a hydrogen refuelling network along the Hume Highway is an important first step in the decarbonisation of heavy transport.
Through the Hume Hydrogen Highway initiative, we aim to support a model for hydrogen refuelling that can be scaled and repeated in the future. We are also looking to catalyse further investment in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to expand the Hume Hydrogen Highway into a broader east-coast refuelling network and accelerate the development of the renewable hydrogen economy in NSW and Victoria.
Zero-emission technology options for the freight sector are not yet commercially mature, posing a cost barrier to deployment.
The Hume Hydrogen Highway initiative aims to address this barrier by providing $20 million of grant funding to help the industry overcome the commercial gap of deploying at least 4 renewable hydrogen refuelling stations and procuring 25 hydrogen-powered trucks to use the stations.
The NSW and Victorian Governments are working collaboratively through a joint initiative team. The team consists of representatives from the Office of Energy and Climate Change within NSW Treasury and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
This cross-jurisdictional team is responsible for the design and delivery of the initiative and is committed to working collaboratively through a dedicated Memorandum of Understanding.
To be eligible to proceed to the merit assessment stage, you must satisfy the applicant and project eligibility criteria outlined in Section 3.2 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB).
If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact us at hydrogen@planning.nsw.gov.au to discuss before you submit your application.
To be eligible to proceed to the merit assessment stage, your project must:
Applicants must propose a network of hydrogen refuelling stations that provides:
The refuelling stations proposed in your project must be open access to facilitate future hydrogen refuelling demand in NSW and Victoria. Your project must:
Your application must demonstrate a fleet of at least 25 hydrogen-powered trucks, with higher numbers of trucks considered favourably. They must:
Please note, we do reserve the right to accept non-conforming applications with respect to the number of hydrogen-powered trucks. This reduced number may however impact merit scoring.
As part of our project eligibility in Section 3.3 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB), we have specified that applications must include at least 25 hydrogen-powered trucks that will use the network for linehaul transportation.
We define ‘linehaul transportation’ as the movement of goods from point to point between urban centres. This definition is intentionally flexible to enable industry and fleet operators to propose solutions that work within their existing operating environment.
Please note, we are not looking to fund hydrogen-powered vehicles operating back-to-base routes around refuelling stations (for example, a truck that only intends to operate within a single urban centre).
Further information on what constitutes an ‘urban centre’ can be found on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
No. The initiative aims to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy transport freight sector and to demonstrate a complete end-to-end hydrogen refuelling network. As a result, funding will only support the procurement of trucks that operate for linehaul transportation.
Applicants are welcome to demonstrate additional hydrogen mobility demand within their plans. However, this is not considered an eligible expense for the grant funding.
Yes. There is no eligibility requirement for the timing of the corridor operation. Section 4.1 of the application guidelines state that ‘the hydrogen refuelling corridor should be operational by 30 June 2025.’
Applications with a commencement date close to 30 June 2025 will be deemed of higher merit. If you are considering a later commencement date, we encourage you to provide evidence in support of your proposed delivery timeframe, which will form part of the initiative’s assessment.
Under Section 12.1 of our application guidelines, we describe 'expenditure for refuelling equipment installed for the project at the full delivered cost of the equipment' as eligible expenditure. Therefore, if you propose mobile hydrogen storage (for example, containerised tube trailers or mobile tanks) as part of your hydrogen refuelling station design, we will consider this eligible expenditure and assess your station design during the initiative’s assessment phase.
Please provide evidence in your application to verify your proposed storage sizing requirements as part of your project plan.
No. Expenditure related to an applicant’s parallel future-proofing plans such as electric vehicle fast-chargers is not eligible for funding.
However, applications that demonstrate consideration of broader zero emissions transport will be considered higher merit. For example, this could include evidence of additional planning for future electric vehicle charging infrastructure at refuelling stations.
Yes, costs that are related to the construction of a hydrogen refuelling station are considered eligible expenditure. Section 12.1 of the application guidelines outline what we consider eligible and ineligible expenses for grant funding.
With regard to eligible expenditure for hydrogen refuelling stations, we will accept the following expenses:
It is important to note that we will not fund the acquisition of land or the cost of construction for non-hydrogen related facilitates on-site, including material, labour and equipment.
The hydrogen supply for the hydrogen refuelling network must be renewable hydrogen, also known as green hydrogen.
Section 9.3 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information on the definition of renewable hydrogen to be used under the initiative.
No. Expenditure for renewable hydrogen production is not eligible for grant funding. Our grant funding can only be used to support the establishment of renewable hydrogen refuelling stations and the procurement of hydrogen-powered trucks.
This does not prohibit an applicant from constructing hydrogen production facilities. Any hydrogen production facilities must be self-funded and are not to be included within the project’s total eligible expenditure cost.
Foreign companies and developers can apply for funding, either as lead applicant or as members of a consortium. Applicants need to have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and must demonstrate that they operate at premises in New South Wales or Victoria.
Section 3.2 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information about applicant eligibility for the initiative.
While applicants are encouraged to apply as a consortium, with one organisation taking the role of lead applicant, it is not a requirement.
If you are considering applying as a consortium, we ask that you demonstrate the level of commitment, quality, and completeness of agreements between consortium members and third-party suppliers.
Please note, all agreements should be signed by a senior representative from each party (for example, signed by a board-level executive).
Yes, a company can appear within numerous applications. For example, a trucking company that is considering trialling 5 hydrogen-powered trucks could participate in multiple applications.
To meet our initiative’s objectives, we recognise that strong collaboration will be required across various market segments. If you are interested in finding collaborators or joining an application, you may find it useful to join the NSW hydrogen collaboration platform.
The platform can help businesses connect, collaborate, and identify potential partners to build the future of hydrogen in Australia. It also provides a space for businesses to discuss hydrogen technologies, ask hydrogen related questions and explore hydrogen use.
If you would like to join the platform, email hydrogen@planning.nsw.gov.au.
The initiative aims to support the demonstration of Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling network. As per the funding agreement template (DOCX, 533.4 KB), final grant funding payments will be tied to the successful operation of the project for 3 years.
Your proposed hydrogen refuelling network should be operational by 30 June 2025.
Yes, your proposed refuelling station must comply with all relevant Australian Standards. Similarly, all hydrogen-powered trucks must be compliant with the relevant Australian Design Rules.
As part of our project eligibility assessment, applications must include trucks that are compliant with Australian Design Rules (ADRs). We acknowledge that the ADR compliance is unlikely to be confirmed for any proposed vehicles prior to the initiative’s closing date for applications.
In your application, you should demonstrate what your proposed pathway is for your vehicles to receive the necessary approvals for operation on NSW and Victorian roads. To assist the assessment of your application, please include detailed specifications of your proposed trucks, including areas of compliance and any known areas of non-compliance with current ADRs and vehicle classifications.
Yes, all applicants will need to follow the relevant State and Local government planning process that apply in that region. We are working towards a consistent approach to safety and standards for hydrogen refuelling stations, hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen transportation.
The renewable hydrogen may be procured via a renewable hydrogen supply agreement with a third party or produced onsite. Please note that expenditure for onsite renewable hydrogen generation equipment is not eligible for funding. Where possible, we prefer that the renewable hydrogen used is independently certified, we will assess the robustness of certification during the assessment phase, if provided.
Whether procuring the renewable hydrogen from an off-site facility or producing it onsite, you must demonstrate in your application how that supply meets the renewable hydrogen definition for the initiative (See Section 9.3 of our application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB)).
As outlined in Section 9.3, if you are working with a renewable hydrogen supplier that is producing hydrogen through electrolysis, the renewable electricity used in this production must be accredited by GreenPower. If you or your renewable hydrogen supplier have specific questions that are related to the GreenPower accreditation requirement for electrolysers, n contact the GreenPower team directly at: greenpower.admin@planning.nsw.gov.au
No. We require all hydrogen used under the initiative to be renewable hydrogen, also referred to as green hydrogen.
Section 9.3 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information on the definition of renewable hydrogen to be used under the initiative.
No, your application will not be deemed ineligible if you are at an earlier project delivery phase (for example, feasibility stage) and have not yet completed FEED. However, as per the initiative’s third merit criteria, applicants that demonstrate a higher level of project technical definition and completion of FEED will be considered higher merit.
In your application, you are required to submit a project plan. This should include a summary of the level of project technical definition, including evidence of any FEED conducted to date.
The application portal opened for applications on 18 July 2022. Your application must be submitted no later than 2 pm AEDT, Friday 28 October 2022.
Applications lodged after 2 pm AEDT, Friday 28 October 2022 will only be accepted where we consider it will not compromise the integrity of the application process. In these circumstances, we can accept or decline late applications at our sole discretion.
Please follow the instructions on the application portal to complete and submit your application. You will need to be a registered user for Grants Online to use the functions available on our portal. When completing the online form, please refer to the application guidelines, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and the GEMS help guide.
Section 12.2 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information about what you’ll need to include in your application.
As per Section 4.2 of our application guidelines, you can apply to receive supplementary funding from other government entities. If you want supplementary funding of your project considered in our assessment process, you will need to apply to the other funding body prior to close of our initiative’s application period.
Applicants must seek guidance from other funding bodies to understand what constitutes an application to their programs. Whilst we do not control the application process for other funding bodies, we ask that you clearly outline any supplementary funding request in your project plan for this initiative. Any supplementary funding from other government entities must be applied to different parts of your proposed project to avoid double accounting of grant funding against the same expenditure.
Please note, approval of supplementary funding by another funding body won’t result in automatic approval for grant funding under this initiative. As noted in Criterion 2 of the initiative’s merit criteria, we will assess your financial capacity to deliver the project including the level of conditionality of supplementary funding commitments to ensure the project can be delivered successfully.
Our focus for this initiative is to reduce Scope 1 emissions in linehaul trucks by displacing diesel use with renewable hydrogen. As per the initiative’s merit criteria, applicants that demonstrate higher emissions reduction potential will be considered higher merit. For example, an applicant may be deemed higher merit if they demonstrate greater emissions reduction potential by addressing the upstream emissions involved in the transport of hydrogen to each station.
As per Section 12.2 of our application guidelines, we ask that applicants include the following funding efficiency metrics in their project plan:
For metrics 1 and 2 above, as per the Initiative guidelines, please calculate these based off the project’s estimated hydrogen consumption/emissions reduction for:
In your calculations of the life of your project, please use a 10-year asset life estimate to assist the Governments with a standardised assessment process.
We are looking for applicants to submit a comprehensive project plan as part of their submission. As part of this plan, we ask that you include a process-flow diagram as a graphic demonstration of how your refuelling stations will operate.
Please note, we will consider projects that demonstrate a higher level of technical definition and completion of FEED to be higher merit than a project that is at an earlier project delivery phase (for example, feasibility stage).
In addition to completing Attachment 3 - Project funding sources, in-kind contributions and key milestones, we ask that you include descriptions of all concessional funding sources in your project plan. This should include a clear breakdown of any other sources of concessional finance for your project, including grant funding requested from supplementary funders.
Applicants are required to submit a risk register using the template provided on our website. This register must contain all project risks that you identify for the duration of the project. This includes, but is not limited to, technical, commercial, and delivery risks. In the register, you are asked to identify project risks and propose appropriate risk mitigation controls.
No, while funding under this initiative is restricted to trucks for linehaul transportation, the addressable market size is non-restrictive. Within your response to Merit Criterion 1, applicants should outline the size of consortium members business and potential for greater uptake of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen refuelling.
Once your application is submitted, we will review for completeness and confirm it meets the applicant and project eligibility criteria. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered further in the assessment process.
All eligible applications will be assessed on merit against the merit criteria.
The application that is scored highest against the merit criteria will be provided a letter of offer to execute a funding agreement with the Governments
There are 4 criteria that you must demonstrate in your application:
Section 7 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information on merit criteria
At the end of the assessment process, we will advise all applicants in writing about the outcome of their application assessment, likely in the first half of 2023. The successful applicant will be issued a non-binding letter of offer to execute a funding agreement.
Please note that receipt of a letter of offer does not guarantee the offer of grant funding. Any payment of funds by the Governments under the initiative will be subject to the execution of the funding agreement.
No. Our decision is final in all matters related to the outcome of your application.
We expect to award the $20 million in grant funding to one project as the result of a competitive grant assessment process.
To be successful, your project will need to have met all eligibility criteria and have scored the highest against the merit criteria outlined in Section 7 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB).
Yes. The successful lead applicant will be required to execute a joint funding agreement with the NSW and Victorian Governments to receive grant funding. The funding agreement will detail the obligations regarding the project.
A copy of the funding agreement template (DOCX, 533.4 KB) is available on our website.
Section 9.2 of the application guidelines provides more information on the funding agreement.
Section 9.2 of the application guidelines provide information on the funding agreement and funding arrangements under this initiative. If you are applying as a consortium, it is our preference that you apply through a lead applicant. However, we are open to receiving other grant funding arrangements for our consideration.
In a lead applicant model, whereby all grant monies would be paid to the lead applicant for disbursement amongst the consortium, we expect that the breakdown of grant funding amongst consortium members will be determined and agreed to prior to applying. Please note, the funding agreement template available on our website is based on a lead applicant model. This is our preferred approach. It is a consortium’s responsibility to enter into appropriate contractual arrangements to ensure payments and obligations between lead applicant and consortium members are honoured.
If you wish to deviate from a lead applicant model, details of the proposed model must be provided in your application. If we approve your proposed model, the funding agreement template will need to be amended to cater for the proposed funding model. If you are considering deviation from a lead applicant model, please also read the additional information at the bottom of Section 3.2 of the application guidelines on Applicant Eligibility.
Yes. If your application is successful, you must agree to and accept the funding agreement terms and conditions. We expect applicants to accept this funding agreement with no or very limited changes.
You will be asked to confirm your understanding of the terms and conditions in the funding agreement template as part of the application process. A copy of the funding agreement template (DOCX, 533.4 KB) is available on our website.
The successful applicant is expected to accept the conditions of the funding agreement template with no or very limited changes prior to commencing the proposed project.
At our sole discretion, we reserve the right to accept or decline any departures from the funding agreement proposed by the applicant.
Section 9.2 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information on the initiative’s funding agreement as part of your project funding conditions.
Grant funding will commence for the successful project once a funding agreement has been executed, likely in the first half of 2023.
No. Through this initiative, our Governments will only provide grant funding up to a maximum of $20 million for the project’s eligible expenditure. Applicants are welcome to seek supplementary funding from other government entities.
Section 4.2 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB)provides more information on supplementary funding from other government entities.
Payment of grant funding is based on project milestones that must be completed and verified. The key project milestones and associated grant funding payment amounts must be proposed by the applicants in the application process.
At agreed milestone payment dates, the grant recipient will invoice both the NSW and Victorian Governments separately for 50% of the agreed milestone payment (i.e. both Governments are directly invoiced and will pay equal amounts).
Unexpected events may arise which can impact on your project’s progress, such as delays in equipment delivery. Please ensure your project milestones are realistic and include contingencies.
You should also familiarise yourself with the funding agreement template (DOCX, 533.4 KB). This template includes obligations for reporting on your project’s progress and outlines provisions for the termination of the contract and repayment of the grant funding if delays cause you to be in breach of the contract.
As part of the online application form, we will provide you with a privacy statement that details how your personal information will be managed in accordance with privacy law.
Before starting your application, please review the privacy statement and privacy collection notice in the introduction section on the application portal.
While the online application portal is maintained and operated by the Victorian Government, please note that any data from the online application portal will also be shared with the NSW Government initiative team.
Yes. In your application, you must identify what information is commercial-in-confidence and to be treated confidentially.
Section 10.3 of the application guidelines (DOCX, 1.8 MB) provides more information on how we will treat commercial-in-confidence information, and the circumstances in which it may be disclosed to third parties.
If you have any questions before applying or during the application process, please contact us at hydrogen@planning.nsw.gov.au.
Your questions must be lodged no later than 5 pm AEDT, Friday 21 October 2022 (7 calendar days before applications close).
Page last updated: 29/09/22