Laying the foundations for Australia's bioenergy feedstock industry

The Albanese Labor Government is today kicking off consultation on the development of a National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy to support new opportunities for our farmers and producers.

Bioenergy is a critical renewable alternative to conventional fossil fuels and will be an important part of Australia’s transition to net zero.

Bioenergy needs a consistent supply of feedstocks, providing Australian farmers and foresters with new opportunities to supply the necessary biomass.

To support this, the Albanese Labor Government is developing a National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy.

It will help establish a coordinated, national direction for the sustainable development of bioenergy feedstock production – which will support economic opportunities and more jobs in our regions.

The new Strategy is backed by significant new investment from the Albanese Labor Government, including $1.1 billion to help unlock the vast economic opportunities on offer from low carbon liquid fuels.

The new ten-year Cleaner Fuels Program will stimulate private investment in Australian onshore production of low carbon liquid fuels, such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

The National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy discussion paper seeks industry expertise and views, including on issues such as infrastructure requirements, social licence and sustainability, research and development needs and coordination across jurisdictions.

Submissions on the discussion paper can be made until 07 November 2025.

To have your say on the discussion paper and to help inform the development of the strategy, visit: https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/national-bioenergy-feedstock-strategy

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“We have listened to supply chain stakeholders who have called for government to set out a direction for a domestic feedstock industry.

“Building a strong bioenergy feedstock industry will not only support significantly reducing Australia’s emissions, but it will also boost our domestic fuel security and deliver economic benefits at a national level.

“Supplying bioenergy feedstocks is an exciting new commercial opportunity for farmers, foresters and our regional communities, which is why we want to support industry to develop and seize on these opportunities.

“This is another way the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring we get better outcomes for our farmers, our regional communities, and our country.

“Ensuring we get the priorities of the national feedstock strategy right is extremely important, which is why I encourage all stakeholder across the entire supply chain to get involved in the development of this strategy.”