What each program is
| What it is | Where | Who it's for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Homes hot water rebate | A rebate | Victoria | Owner-occupiers within income, property value and system age limits |
| Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) | A discount | Victoria | Offered through accredited businesses; minimum payments apply |
| Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) | A discount | NSW | Offered through installers partnered with an Accredited Certificate Provider |
| Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) | Certificates that can lower the price | Australia-wide | Eligible heat pumps and solar water heaters on the register |
| Sustainable Household Scheme | A low-interest loan | ACT | ACT homeowners, for heat pumps and evacuated tube solar |
| Home Energy Support | A rebate | ACT | Owner-occupiers with an eligible concession card |
| Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) | A state energy scheme | South Australia | All South Australians, whoever their energy retailer is |
Victoria
Solar Victoria's rebate is half the purchase price of an eligible heat pump or solar product, capped at $1,000, or up to $1,400 for products eligible under its locally made incentive. It's worked out once other discounts have come off.
VEU discounts come through accredited businesses, and VEU rules require minimum payments for certain upgrades. Details, eligibility and your protections: Victoria's rebate and discounts.
NSW
The Energy Savings Scheme gives a discount when you switch to an energy efficient heat pump or solar hot water system. NSW calls its published amounts indicative only, and the page they're on was last updated before the scheme's latest rule change. Get the real figure on a written quote: the NSW discount.
ACT
ACT homeowners can apply for a 3% loan of $2,000 to $20,000 under the Sustainable Household Scheme. Eligible concession card holders can apply for a Home Energy Support rebate of 50%, up to $2,500. See ACT loans and rebates.
Queensland
We found no current Queensland Government heat pump rebate, and the Queensland Government's hot water page doesn't list one. STCs still apply. See Queensland.
South Australia, WA, Tasmania and the NT
South Australia's REPS includes upgrading household water heating systems to more efficient models or tariffs. For what it could be worth on your home, go to the scheme's official page in our sources.
In Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, your state or territory government's energy pages list any local programs. STCs apply there as well.
STCs, in every state
STCs come from a federal scheme. Air source heat pumps under 425 L and solar water heaters under 700 L can be eligible if the model is on the register. Owners often assign them to an agent in exchange for a discount or a delayed cash payment, and the scheme runs until 2030. More on STCs.
Why none of them is "free"
Victoria's VEU rules require minimum payments for certain upgrades, and NSW says you will need to make a minimum payment toward the system and its installation. An offer that says you'll pay nothing, or that pays your share back to you, doesn't match how these programs work. Victoria's regulator banned one business partly for reimbursing customers' payments.
Watch for
- A business dressed up as the government. NSW installers operate independently from the NSW Government, and the ESC acted against a logo that resembled the Victorian Government's.
- A knock on the door or a cold call about a VEU upgrade in Victoria. Both are banned.
- A quote that doesn't show the discount. NSW tells customers to get quotes that confirm it's included.
- A rebate promised to a landlord. Solar Victoria's hot water rebate requires the applicant to be the owner-occupier.
What we would do
Check which programs you qualify for on the official pages in our sources before anyone quotes. Then ask for a written quote with the full price, each discount on its own line and what you pay at the end. If the offer only works because you supposedly pay nothing, walk away. A plumber who specialises in hot water should be happy to show you every line.