258 programs · checked October 22, 2026
Garden rebates and free plants in Australia
258 programs run by councils, water and power companies and governments in Australia help pay for projects in your garden: rainwater tanks, compost bins, trees, native plants, water-wise gardens and more. 145 list themselves as open now. The largest open one for a home garden, Ipswich Nature Conservation Grant for Conservation Agreements, pays up to $10,000. 16 ask for a plan, sketch or plant list before they approve a project.
By state and territory
- Lawn replacement21
- Irrigation upgrades7
- Rain barrels and cisterns25
- Rain gardens and stormwater projects2
- Trees26
- Native plants and pollinator habitat106
- Wildfire defensible space6
- Compost and mulch59
- Graywater2
- Invasive plant removal4
Some of the largest open programs
Maximum payments per household, from programs that list themselves as open.
- OpenQueensland
Ipswich Nature Conservation Grant for Conservation Agreements
Ipswich City Council
Nature Conservation Grant up to $8,000 per year, plus free plants; covenant holders can also get a Voluntary Conservation Covenant Bursary of up to $2,000 per financial year
Up to $10,000 per household
- OpenNew South Wales
NSW Wildlife Refuge Agreement Habitat Grants
NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Agreement-holders can apply for grants of $2,000 a year for up to 3 years
Up to $6,000 per household
- OpenPlan requiredSouth Australia
City of Adelaide Green Roof and Wall Incentive
City of Adelaide
50% up to $5,000 for design and installation of green wall or green roof features
Up to $5,000 per household
- OpenSouth Australia
City of Adelaide Rainwater Tank Incentive
City of Adelaide
50% up to $5,000 for purchase, installation and plumbing of a rainwater tank
Up to $5,000 per household
- OpenNew South Wales
Inner West Rainwater Tank Rebate
Inner West Council
Up to $2,000 (10c per litre for tank only, 13c plumbed to one use, 18c to two uses, 20c to three uses); concession card holders get 50% more, up to $3,000 (15c to 30c per litre); strata common-property tanks get an extra $500 flat to the body corporate
Up to $3,000 per household
- OpenNew South Wales
Rous County Council Rainwater Tank Rebate
Rous County Council
$200 for 2,000-4,499 L; $800 for 4,500-8,999 L; $1,000 for 9,000 L or more; plus $620 for connecting all internal toilets and $550 for connecting a washing machine
Up to $2,170 per household
Free to cite
Quote it, chart it or republish it with credit and a link to this page. Program details come from each program's official page, so check the program before you publish.
Source: Sow, “Garden rebates and free plants in Australia,” checked October 22, 2026, https://www.usesow.com/rebates/australia
Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs
Plan the project before you apply
Sow lays out your new planting on a photo of your garden and builds the plant list from plants suited to where you live.