AUSTRALIA: Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy

Meta Data
Draft: 
No
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Effective Start Year: 
2019
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Plan/Strategy
Economic Sector: 
Energy, Multi-Sector
Energy Types: 
Renewable
Issued by: 
COAG Energy Council
Source: 
Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
File: 
Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy
Overall Summary: 
Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy sets a vision for a clean, innovative, safe and competitive hydrogen industry that benefits all Australians. It aims to position the country's industry as a major player by 2030. In total, the Strategy identifies 57 joint actions. They are first steps, on which later actions can build. Actions are themed around national coordination, developing production capacity, supported by local demand; responsive regulation; international engagement; innovation and research and development (R&D); skills and workforce; and community confidence. The actions consider hydrogen in relation to exports, transport, industrial use, gas networks, electricity systems, and cross-cutting issues such as safety, skills, and environmental impacts.
Trade
Energy trade priorities: 
The Australian Government will establish agreements with key international markets to underpin investment.
International trade association membership: 
Australia will spearhead development of an international certification scheme for hydrogen, working closely with local and international companies. We will ensure the emerging global rules and regulations for hydrogen trade do not disadvantage Australia, by working with like-minded countries and in multi-lateral forums.
Bi- and multi-lateral energy agreements: 
We have already signed a cooperation agreement with Japan and a letter of intent with Republic of Korea.
Investment
Energy sector investment priorities: 
Since 2015, the Australian Government has committed over $146 million to hydrogen projects along the supply chain.
Governance
Energy management principles: 
The Australian Government will lead a National Hydrogen Infrastructure Assessment that will guide government and private sector investment as the industry grows. ---CSIRO is developing a hydrogen mission that will bring together industry, government and other research organisations to deliver research, development and demonstration projects. The mission will de-risk and fast-track emerging hydrogen technologies and catalyse industrial demonstration of critical elements, linking Australian activities with international projects. The overall focus will be on enabling Australiaís domestic and export hydrogen industries. National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) will support SMEs to take advantage of opportunities in the hydrogen industry by forming an industry-led hydrogen cluster. The Hydrogen Industry Cluster will help build capabilities and drive industry collaboration across the hydrogen value chain. This will maximise economic benefits by ensuring Australian companies are well placed to supply new technology, products and services to Australia's hydrogen industry and export markets.
National policy structure: 
The Australian Government will drive national regulatory reform to help all jurisdictions remove barriers to industry development, while keeping Australians safe and protecting the environment. We will ensure Commonwealth laws are reviewed and reformed where necessary, to allow for the development of a strong hydrogen industry in Australia. We will ensure baselines under the Safeguard Mechanism are appropriate and provide investment certainty for new hydrogen facilities.
Energy institutional structures: 
We support the Australian Hydrogen Council’s efforts to develop and implement industry undertakings to guide the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry, safeguard the community, communicate issues and engage with regulators.
Technology
R&D pollution abatement: 
The Australian Government supports clean energy technology, including hydrogen, from research and development through to commercialisation through the Australian Research Council, the CSIRO, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund. Through these investments, we are building the pipeline of technologies needed to meet our Paris target and achieve emissions reductions beyond 2030.