Upgrading to a heat pump hot water system is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption and save on utility bills. To assist with the transition, a range of grants, schemes, incentives, rebates, and discounts are available.
At Ecovantage, we aim to make the process as smooth as possible. Below we have explained the range of grants, rebates, incentives and discounts that we have access to – all of which will help Australian’s reduce the upfront cost of the upgrade.
Schemes (Incentives)
Federal Government Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
The Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme allows for the creation of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) when installing an eligible water heater. These certificates are part of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. STCs can be combined with other State-Based incentives depending on your location such as the VEU, ESS, and REPS for maximum savings.
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- Available as an upfront rebate for new heat pump installations and upgrades from electric and gas systems.
- Available in all states.
- Applicable to residents and businesses.
- For more details, visit our STC page or the government website.
Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) Program
Victoria’s VEU program offers rebates and discounts on energy-saving products for households and businesses. This initiative helps to reduce both energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Financial incentives are often provided as an upfront discount by your installer for upgrading or installing energy-efficient products such as appliances, lighting, water heating, and solar panels.
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- Available as an upfront rebate for upgrades from electric and gas to heat pump systems.
- Available only in Victoria.
- Applicable to residents and businesses.
- For more details, visit or VEECS page or the government website.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)
The ESS is a New South Wales initiative designed to encourage energy efficiency improvements in households and businesses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy retailers provide financial incentives for upgrading or installing energy-efficient products, including LED lighting, heating and cooling systems, solar, hot water systems, and approved appliances.
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- Available as an upfront rebate for upgrades from electric and gas to heat pump systems.
- Available only in NSW.
- Applicable to residents and businesses.
- For more details, visit the ESCs Page or the government website.
SA Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS)
South Australia’s REPS provides incentives for households and businesses to save energy. This scheme focuses on improving energy efficiency, especially for low-income households, by offering financial incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient technologies. It superseded the Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) that ran from 2009 to 2020.
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- Available as an upfront rebate for upgrades from electric and gas to heat pump systems.
- Available only in SA.
- Applicable to residents and businesses.
- For more details, visit our REPS page or the government website.
Rebates.
Solar Victoria Hot Water Rebate
Victoria residents can receive up to 50% off the cost of a hot water system, with a maximum rebate of $1,000. This rebate is in addition to Federal and State government rebates and is available only to permanent residents of Victoria.
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- Available as an upfront rebate for upgrades from electric and gas to heat pump systems.
- Available only in Victoria.
- Applicable to residents only.
- For more details, visit our Solar Victoria Hot Water Rebate page, or the government site.
Discounts.
SA Priority Group Discount
Some REPS activities may require a minimum co-payment of $33 (including GST) to be paid once per premises. This co-payment does not apply to priority group households. The Minister for Energy and Mining defines a priority group household as residential premises in which a person resides who:
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- holds a Commonwealth Government pensioner concession card
- holds a TPI Gold Repatriation Health Card
- holds a War Widows Gold Repatriation Health Card
- holds a Gold Repatriation Health Card (EDA)
- holds a Health Care Card (including a Low-Income Health Care Card)
- receives the South Australian government energy bill concession
- has a residential tenancy agreement with the landlord of the premises and the rent for the premises is $400 or less per week
- is actively participating in an energy retailer hardship program
- is actively participating in an energy retailer’s payment plan (offered and applied as per section 50 of the National Energy Retail Law)
- has received a referral from a registered member of the South Australian Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA).
- For more information visit the ESCOSA website
Grants.
Grants for hot water heat pumps become available from time to time. Currently there aren’t any grants, however we will update this when they become available.