Growing Australia's Property Linked Finance Market
Property Linked Finance (PLF) is a groundbreaking financing approach that facilitates investment in improved buildings by tying repayments to the land rather than the owner. This arrangement allows for extended repayment periods, easing cash flow strain on businesses and relieving financial pressures for households. When utilised for new housing, PLF tackles housing affordability by providing higher-quality homes without additional costs. Property Linked Finance (PLF) merges secure, senior real estate-backed funding to support essential building enhancements, making it appealing to lenders.
Understanding Property Linked Finance: A Global Asset Class
Global Impact
Australia is one of only two active Property-Linked Finance (PLF) markets in the world, referred to locally as Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF), while in the U.S., it is known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). The UK, EU, and Southeast Asia are at different stages of developing their own PLF frameworks, using Australia's and the U.S.'s successes as models.
Local Benefits
Unlocks private capital to drive the energy transition without relying on government subsidies, easing fiscal pressure.
​Cuts costs - reducing utility expenses for businesses and improving cost-of-living outcomes for households.
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Enhances property resilience while reducing environmental impacts.
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Provides lenders with a secure, long-term investment aligned with ESG goals and financial disclosure requirements.
PLF in Australia – it’s Environmental Upgrade Finance
PLF is unlocking private capital for projects in Australia, delivering over $143 million in lifetime savings. Our research estimates a $42.6 billion investment opportunity in residential property upgrades and new housing through an expanded Australian PLF market.
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Locally, PLF is implemented through Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) - a contract between property owners, lenders, and councils. Repayments are attached to the property via council rates, ensuring security and long-term benefits for each party.
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Over 75 councils across Victoria, NSW, and South Australia are proving its success and Western Australia has passed enabling legislation.
We are focused on expanding the PLF market in Australia, with the RACE for 2030 initiative as our next step.
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Investors & Financiers – A Prime Investment Opportunity
Property Linked Finance (PLF) combines secure, senior real estate-backed finance to fund better buildings - offering institutional investors and banks a scalable, low-risk asset aligned with long-term value, climate resilience, and Australia’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap.
Lower Risk Than Mortgages
Secured by a senior-ranking property charge, providing enhanced security.
Institutional-Scale Investment
A $42.6 billion market opportunity, with a national framework enabling secondary markets.
Tied to the Property
Ensuring stable, long-term returns, independent of ownership changes.
Aligned with Australia's Sustainable Finance Roadmap
A green-labeled, ESG-linked investment supporting net-zero commitments and mandatory financial disclosure laws, creating a scalable, compliant asset class.
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RACE for 2030: Scaling Australia's Leadership in PLF to 100,000 homes
The Property Linked Finance (PLF) for housing transformation project will explore how to scale Property Linked Finance (PLF) nationally, building on 15 years of experience in EUAs since its 2010 launch in Victoria. PLF can support affordable, energy-efficient upgrades for both existing and new homes - boosting performance without higher upfront costs and creating a stable, liquid market that can attract capital and accelerate Australia's housing transition.
Delivers clear governance, a practical rollout plan, and a strategy to grow PLF—showing how better systems, smart finance, and aligned rules can help build a national market for home upgrades.
Why participate?
This research project is the first step in a plan to help facilitate the upgrading of over 100,000 homes across Australia. The main goal is to create a standard way for different lenders to offer PLF across the country, making it easier for people to finance green home upgrades at scale.
Current Partners
PLF Accelerator
Get to Know Us
The PLF Accelerator is building the foundations for a national Property Linked Finance (PLF) market in Australia. We work with councils, lenders, governments, and industry to unlock private capital for better buildings - making our built environment more efficient, resilient, and affordable.
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We provide the tools and expertise to scale PLF, from council administration to national policy. Our goal is to create a transparent, competitive, and investor-ready market - without relying on ongoing public subsidies.