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Federal
Federal Department
Energy and Resources

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Portfolio: Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/

Annual Budget

$2.8B

2025-26 Estimated Total Expenses
Total Revenue

$4.5B

2024-25 Total Revenue
Staff

5,200

Headcount (2024-25)
Major Digital Projects
20

Australian Energy Market Operator Digital Systems Enhancement Program

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 1
DCA: NFP
Active

Total Budget

$NFPM

Digital Budget

$NFPM

NFPNFP

This project is to design, implement and operate a Digital Systems Enhancement Program.

ROBUST Transition Program

Bureau of Meteorology

Tier 1
DCA: High
Active

Total Budget

$39.8M

Digital Budget

$39.8M

July 2024November 2025

The ROBUST Transition Program is the successor of the ROBUST Program that closed on 30 June 2024. The primary objective of the program is to deliver the residual scope from the ROBUST Program to enable the Bureau to realise the full outcomes and benefits from the ROBUST Program.

Capturing Australia’s Emissions Reduction Data – Additional Funding

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 2
DCA: Medium-High
Active

Total Budget

$20.4M

Digital Budget

$13.8M

August 2023June 2026

The aim of this project is to support and enhance core IT systems for the ongoing delivery of Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts (historical and projected greenhouse gas emissions estimates) to fulfil legislative and international treaty reporting obligations, track progress against national emissions reduction targets, inform national and sectoral decarbonisation plans and 2035 target setting, and enable continued delivery of tools required for the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme.

Contract Market Monitoring

Australian Energy Regulator

Tier 2
DCA: Medium-Low
Active

Total Budget

$26M

Digital Budget

$7.8M

July 2024June 2026

The project aims to collect, store and analyse highly sensitive energy contracts data and provide insights into the performance of the wholesale electricity and gas markets, greater scrutiny of the conduct of the energy market participants, and broader understanding of the operation and impact of contract markets and overall resilience of the electricity and gas sectors.

Data and Digital Transformation

Australian Energy Regulator

Tier 2
DCA: Medium-Low
Active

Total Budget

$3.2M

Digital Budget

$2.1M

July 2024June 2026

The project will allow the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to collect data from energy retail businesses efficiently, quickly and effectively, and conduct critical analysis to deliver stronger outcomes to energy consumers. Using improved data and digital systems, the AER will be able to provide richer and more timely insights into energy consumer outcomes, including levels of debt and the assistance retailers are providing in this time of significant cost-of-living pressures.

Establishing the National Environmental Protection Agency

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 2
DCA: Medium
Paused

Total Budget

$121M

Digital Budget

$28.1M

July 2023June 2027

The aim of this project is to establish a new independent Commonwealth agency, the National Environmental Protection Agency, to enforce national environmental laws and restore confidence in Australia’s environmental protection system. The funding usage includes both operating costs and one-off transitional costs.

Improved greenhouse gas accounting at national and farm levels

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 2
DCA: Medium-High
Active

Total Budget

$20.9M

Digital Budget

$7.1M

August 2025July 2028

This project aims to improve greenhouse gas accounting in the agriculture and land sector at the national level through to farm level. The overall budget measure will deliver: • common standards for estimating and reporting agriculture and land sector emissions and removals on farm • improved National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) methods that will ensure the NGA provides more robust national agriculture and land sector emissions and removals data. The digital and ICT measure, as part of the overall budget measure, facilitates accessibility of NGA data and calculations for users of different technical capability, including through a web mapping interface and Application Programming Interface.

Integrated Transformation and Sustainment Investment (ITSI) Program Tranche 1: Core technological modernisation, streamlined digital services and transparency

Clean Energy Regulator

Tier 2
DCA: Medium
Active

Total Budget

$145M

Digital Budget

$63.4M

August 2021June 2028

The ITSI includes a range of individual initiatives that will deliver new business and technological capability to accelerate carbon abatement and improved biodiversity outcomes for Australia. From 2021, Program Tranche 1 began core technological modernisation, streamlined digital services and transparency.

Integrated Transformation and Sustainment Investment (ITSI) Program Tranche 2: Leverage modernised capabilities and investment value extension

Clean Energy Regulator

Tier 2
DCA: Medium
Active

Total Budget

$159.4M

Digital Budget

$82.7M

August 2021June 2034

The ITSI includes a range of individual initiatives that will deliver new business and technological capability to accelerate carbon abatement and improved biodiversity outcomes for Australia. From 2023, Program Tranche 2 extends core technological capability, delivering new schemes and continuing to modernise existing scheme administration and transparency.

Water Market Reform - Strengthening Integrity and Transparency

Bureau of Meteorology

Tier 2
DCA: High
Active

Total Budget

$32.7M

Digital Budget

$18.2M

December 2022June 2027

This project is restoring transparency, integrity and confidence to water markets through a new single digital platform for national water data management, a new water market website and water market data standards.

??Energy Model Enhancement (EME) Project

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$7.4M

Digital Budget

$6.1M

January 2025June 2027

This measure aims to improve energy planning and inform investment in energy networks and enabling infrastructure, including by developing new or improved energy forecasting models that enable more granular and integrated analysis of future energy demand.

Basin Plan Review Program (Basin Plan Review ICT and Data Project)

Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$103.7M

Digital Budget

$14.5M

July 2023June 2027

This project is implementing the Australian Government’s commitment to safeguard and future-proof the Murray-Darling Basin by preparing for, and undertaking in full, the statutory Basin Plan Review. Outcomes include enabling data and ICT required to support the review, making data and information publicly available and accessible to a range of audiences, and managing delivery of the work program.

Commonwealth Climate Risk and Opportunity Management Program

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$9.3M

Digital Budget

$4.4M

July 2022June 2024

To enhance climate risk management capabilities across the Commonwealth public sector, a new climate risk management guide and learning and development tools have been developed. To support this capability, the climate risk management digital tool was developed as a user-friendly digital tool that provides the necessary data, knowledge and guidance to Australian Public Service agencies to produce climate risk assessment reports.

Energy Made Easy (EME) Enhancements

Australian Energy Regulator

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$16M

Digital Budget

$16M

July 2025June 2029

The AER holds 2 statutory obligations in relation to the EME website and the Consumer Data Right (Energy) initiative. The first obligation, under the National Energy Retail Law, requires the AER to provide an online energy price comparison service for Australian consumers. The second obligation, under the Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Amendment Rules 2021, requires the AER to make retail energy product data accessible through an online request service. This project aims to secure essential support for the delivery of services including the consumer-facing EME website, the industry-facing Retailer Portal, and Consumer Data Right online request service. Together, these services will ensure energy consumers have access to an independent and trusted service where they can compare energy offers and find the best prices, and that retailer energy data can be collected and shared to promote data transparency and foster innovation.

Environment Information Australia

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$51M

Digital Budget

$6M

July 2023June 2025

Environment Information Australia (EIA) has been established to provide accessible, interoperable and high-quality environmental data and information. The investment supports EIA to deliver environmental information, analytics and tools to support the department and government to undertake their regulatory and policy responsibilities and give business and the public easier access to environmental data and information.

Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC) ICT Enabling Systems

Inspector-General of Water Compliance

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$1.3M

Digital Budget

$1.3M

October 2024June 2025

The Digital and Data Strategy will guide the IGWC’s investment into ICT and data needs, to support water compliance and oversight functions for the Murray-Darling Basin. The strategy will be implemented in phases, with the initial phase prioritising IGWC system identity and access security, and development of governance arrangements for data and information management. Strategy progress and currency will be regularly reviewed to adapt to any new regulatory or information and data needs and ICT options.

National Climate Adaptation and Risk Program

Bureau of Meteorology

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$22.9M

Digital Budget

$0.2M

November 2023June 2025

The National Climate Risk Assessment identified and analysed nationally significant climate-related risks for Australia, for action by the National Adaptation Plan. These are risks with pervasive and prolonged consequences that require a national, coordinated response.

Online Data Collection and Reporting Mechanism for the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Market

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$4.6M

Digital Budget

$4.6M

October 2022June 2026

The purpose of the market transparency measure for the DEF sector is to establish a data collection and reporting framework for the DEF market to increase transparency and assist in avoiding future supply shortages.

Sustaining Environmental Assessments

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$2.5M

Digital Budget

$2.5M

July 2022June 2025

The Sustaining Environmental Assessments measure provided funds to extend this workflow system to include a searchable public register of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 offsets (the National Environmental Offset System) and for integration with the compliance investigations ICT system. This work included design of functional interfaces with the systems being developed for compliance purposes and risk ratings, so these systems can operate in the future as modules of a more comprehensive approach to managing information relevant to the protection of the environment.

Waste Exports Licencing and Declaration (WELD)

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Tier 3
Closed

Total Budget

$0.7M

Digital Budget

$0.7M

November 2024June 2025

This project involved enhancements to the WELD business system to reflect new legislation for waste exports under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 and associated Rules, including the introduction of paper and cardboard as a new regulated waste stream in 2024.


Department Intelligence Profile

Deep analysis based on public data, citizen voice research, and policy tracking

Key Performance Indicators

Net Zero by 2050

On trajectory (disputed)

at risk

43% Emissions Reduction by 2030

Requires acceleration

at risk

82% Renewables by 2030

Currently ~40%

at risk

COP31 Presidency

Secured for 2026

delivered

Snowy 2.0

$2B → $12B+ (6x overrun)

failing

EPA Establishment

Commencing July 2026

on track

450 GL Water Recovery

400+ GL planned, fierce opposition

at risk

Home Batteries

185,000 in 6 months

on track

Nature Positive Legislation

Stage 2 shelved

failing

Lower Energy Bills

Bills rising after rebates ended

failing

Strategy

Protect Australia's natural environment, respond to climate change, and manage water and energy resources — ensuring a clean, prosperous and secure future for all Australians.

Achieve 82% Renewable Electricity by 2030

Scale wind, solar and storage under the Capacity Investment Scheme (uplift to 40 GW). Operate the Renewable Energy Map and Fast-track Renewables service. Renewable generation is currently ~40% — the 2030 target requires near-doubling over 5 years.

Deliver Net Zero by 2050 and 43% Reduction by 2030

Administer Australia's carbon markets via the Clean Energy Regulator, run the Safeguard Mechanism crediting scheme, and publish annual national emissions accounts. The 2035 NDC target is 62–70% below 2005 levels, submitted to UNFCCC in September 2025.

Lead COP31 in 2026

Co-host COP31 with Pacific Island nations in November 2026 — Australia's first time chairing a UNFCCC Conference of the Parties. The department is building the international negotiation and host-country infrastructure to make Australia a global climate leader.

Stand Up Environment Protection Australia (EPA)

Establish the independent EPA from 1 July 2026 with powers to enforce national environment law, conduct audits, and take regulatory action. Replaces the current Secretary-led EPBC approvals regime with a dedicated independent regulator.

Deliver the Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Provide a 30% rebate on home batteries for households with rooftop solar — 185,000 batteries installed in the first 6 months. Supports households to lower bills and reduce grid dependence. Renters and apartment dwellers remain excluded from this program.

Protect the Great Barrier Reef

Invest $1.2 billion to 2030 through the Reef 2050 Plan: improving water quality, reducing crown-of-thorns outbreaks, and restoring coral cover. Six mass bleaching events since 2016 have reduced southern Reef coral cover to 26.9%. The Reef's World Heritage status remains under threat.

Murray-Darling Basin Water Recovery — 450 GL

Complete recovery of 450 GL of water for the environment by end of 2026 through a combination of infrastructure efficiency projects and water purchases. Voluntary water buybacks were restarted after infrastructure delivery fell hundreds of gigalitres short. Basin communities oppose buybacks as economically devastating.

Nature Positive Legislation

Introduce laws to halt and reverse environmental decline, requiring project proponents to deliver net positive outcomes for nature — not just avoid harm. Stage 2 Nature Positive Bills were shelved in 2025 after failing to secure Senate support. Stage 1 (EPA establishment) did pass.

National Climate Risk Assessment

Publish Australia's first systematic whole-of-economy climate risk assessment covering infrastructure, agriculture, health, ecosystems, communities and financial systems. Provides the evidence base for federal and state adaptation investment decisions.

Hydrogen Headstart and Industrial Transformation

Support Australia's green hydrogen industry through the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program and the Safeguard Mechanism's coverage of industrial emitters. Clean Energy Finance Corporation is investing in emerging clean industries including clean steel, aluminium and ammonia.

Citizen Sentiment

42

Overall Sentiment: 42/100

Negative

52

Energy Programs for Citizens

40

Climate Policy

38

Energy Transition & Bills

35

Environment & Biodiversity

30

Water — Murray-Darling

Overview

$11.1B

Portfolio budget (2025-26) across 11 agencies managing climate, energy, environment and water

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) was established on 1 July 2022, bringing together Australia's most politically contested policy areas under one roof. Led by Secretary Mike Kaiser and reporting to Ministers Chris Bowen (Climate Change and Energy) and Tanya Plibersek (Environment and Water), the department oversees a portfolio budget of $11.1 billion and $59 billion in total budgeted assets across 11 agencies. These include the Clean Energy Finance Corporation ($23B+ invested since 2013), ARENA, Bureau of Meteorology, Climate Change Authority, Clean Energy Regulator, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and Snowy Hydro. The department's mission — protecting Australia's natural environment, responding to climate change, and managing water and energy resources — places it at the nexus of competing interests where almost no stakeholder group is fully satisfied.

Key People
MK

Mike Kaiser

Secretary, DCCEEW

Since 2022

CB

Chris Bowen

Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Since 2022

TP

Tanya Plibersek

Minister for the Environment and Water

Since 2022

JW

Josh Wilson

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Since 2022

JM

Jenny McAllister

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Since 2023

AH

Angus Houston (Chair)

Chair, DCCEEW Advisory Board

Since 2023

DP

David Parker

CEO, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Since 2020

DR

David Rosenberg

CEO, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

Since 2021

MD

Mark Dreyfus

Chair, Climate Change Authority

Since 2023

GS

Graeme Samuel (Interim CEO)

Interim CEO, Environment Protection Australia

Since 2025

AJ

Andrew Johnson

Director of Meteorology, Bureau of Meteorology

Since 2022

JF

Josh Frydenberg

Former Chair, Murray-Darling Basin Authority

Since 2023

Sources & Methodology

DCCEEW Portfolio Budget Statements 2025-26

DCCEEW Annual Report 2023-24

Climate Change Authority — 2035 Targets Report

Climate Action Tracker — Australia Country Assessment 2025

Australian Energy Regulator — State of the Energy Market 2025

Clean Energy Regulator — Quarterly Carbon Market Report Q4 2025

AIMS Long-Term Reef Monitoring Program — 2025 Annual Summary

Murray-Darling Basin Authority — Basin Plan Implementation Progress

Gratten Institute — Energy Bills and Household Debt Analysis 2025

Samuel Review of the EPBC Act (2020)

RenewEconomy — Snowy 2.0 Cost Analysis Series

ABS Census of Energy, Water and Environment (2024-25)

Citizen voice quotes sourced from public submissions, community forums, and media reporting (2024-2026)

Read our full methodology →

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