Government accelerates Guarantee of Origin Scheme to boost green industries and emissions accountability
The Guarantee of Origin scheme will provide digital certificates verifying the emissions and origin of products, supporting green industries and enabling eligibility for tax credits.
The Federal government is accelerating the creation of the Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme, a vital part of the $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia program. This scheme will serve as the foundation for emissions accounting, essential for developing Australia's green industries.
The GO scheme will issue digital certificates to verify the origin of products and the emissions involved in their production and transportation. Initially focused on hydrogen, the scheme will expand to include sustainable aviation fuel, green metals like steel and aluminium, as well as biogas.
These certificates are crucial for eligibility under the $6.7 billion Hydrogen Production Tax Credit announced in the 2024/25 Federal Budget and are expected to support the growth of other green industries.
A complementary initiative, the Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) scheme, will provide digital certificates confirming the details of renewable energy production. This scheme is set to replace the Renewable Energy Target (RET) in 2030.
Government funding for the GO scheme was nearly doubled in the 2024/25 Budget, bringing the total to over $70.4 million. The government is reviewing submissions from its consultation on the scheme's design, with a final response expected soon. Legislation is being finalized for the scheme to commence in the second half of 2025.
“The Guarantee of Origin scheme is the most important green industry program you never heard of," Assistant Minister Jenny McAllister said.
"As the world decarbonises, it will be increasingly important for businesses to be able to account for the carbon emissions associated with their products."
"The Guarantee of Origin scheme will give Australian companies a competitive advantage by providing government backed certification of the carbon intensity of key green products.”
