Rebates
- Climate Friendly Hot Water System Rebates
- Ceiling Insulation Rebates
- Solar Power (PV) System Incentives
- Rainwater Tank Rebates
- Fridge Buyback Scheme
- Water Efficient Washing Machine Rebate
- Sydney Water Special Offers
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
- Free Home Sustainability Assessments through the Green Loans Scheme
The Australian Federal Government, the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, and Sydney Water offer a range of rebates and initiatives to help ease the cost of installing climate-friendly and water efficient products. See below for details of these great rebates, and if you are a resident of Wollongong, Shellharbour or Kiama Council, don’t forgot to check our Special Offers page for extra special offers on sustainable products you can take advantage of.
Climate Friendly Hot Water System Rebates
Water heating is the biggest energy user in NSW homes. By switching from an electric to a climate- friendly hot water system, you can save up to three tonnes of greenhouse gas each year and $300 on your energy bills.
As part of the NSW Home Saver Rebate Program the NSW Government are currently offering a rebate of up to $300 for homes that switch from an electric hot water system to:
- A gas hot water system with a 5 star or higher energy rating
- A solar or heat pump hot water system eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).
- All new systems must be purchased and installed between 15 January 2010 and 30 June 2011 to be eligible for the rebate. Those installing an instantaneous gas hot water system with a 5 star rating or more may also be eligible to apply for a $150 rebate for the installation of a regulated or on demand hot water circulator.
Please note that there are several other rebates available under the NSW Home Saver Rebate Package. From 15 January 2010, the total amount of NSW Home Saver Rebates a household can receive must not exceed $1500 per property. For example a household might claim a $150 washing machine rebate, a $150 hot water circulator and a $1000 rainwater tank rebate. The total NSW Home Saver Rebates claimed is $1300 which is below the $1500 cap.
To find out more and confirm your eligibility visit:
or call 1300 361 967
As of 20 February 2010, the federal government is offering a rebate of up to $1000 for installing solar hot water or up to $600 for installing a heat pump through the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme. Detailed guidelines about the eligibility for this new program are yet to be released.
Please be aware that the Federal rebate cannot be used if you have already accessed federal rebate support to install ceiling insulation. However you can combine the Federal rebate with the NSW rebate, meaning you can access up to $1,300 for solar hot water and up to $900 for heat pumps. For more information visit:
or call 1800 808 571
In addition to these rebates, you may also be able to apply for RECs, and receive money from selling your Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).Ceiling Insulation Rebates
Ceiling insulation keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This saves both money and greenhouse gas emissions as it assists you in keeping your home at a comfortable temperature in a more energy efficient way.
Until 19 February 2010 the Federal Government provided a rebate of up to $1,200 for the installation of ceiling insulation under the Energy Efficient Homes package. On February 19 the government announced the cessation of this program and a series of changes to the administration of the environmental programs to boost safety and improve environmental performance. The replacement program is the Renewable Energy Bonus scheme. The insulation component of this scheme is intended to come into operation on June 1 2010. Detailed guidelines about the eligibility for this new program are yet to be released. The new scheme will involve several key changes to the delivery of ceiling insulation rebates including:
- Householders – rather than installers - claiming a rebate up to $1,000 rebate directly through the Medicare system.
- A new registration scheme requiring all installers to reregister, pay a cash bond, show evidence of meeting the training and skills requirements and provide certified quality assurance and occupational health and safety plans.
- A strengthened compliance regime in concert with State and Territory occupational health and safety and fair trading authorities.
Please be aware that the Federal rebate for insulation cannot be used if you have already accessed federal rebate support to install solar hot water or a heat pump system. For more information on the ceiling insulation rebate visit:
or phone 1800 808 571
Solar Power (PV) System Incentives
The Federal Governments Solar Credits Scheme replaces the previous solar power system rebate. Through the solar credits scheme, installers of eligible new small solar power systems are able to receive multiple times more RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) than they normally would for the first 1.5 kilowatts of capacity installed. Generation from capacity above 1.5 kilowatts will still be eligible for the standard 1:1 rate of REC creation.
You can then sell these RECs to gain a financial benefit. Most people find it convenient to sell their RECs to a registered agent and receive a cash payment or discount on the solar power system at the time of purchase.
Home owners, small businesses and community groups can all be eligible for the Australian solar credits program. Access to the scheme is not means capped.
Solar Credits are available for people who install eligible solar power systems between 9 June 2009 and 30 June 2015. Eligible solar power systems must be certified for the scheme. The multiplication for additional RECs under the Solar Credits, for the first 1.5 kilowatts of capacity is as follows:
| Installation Period | Multiplication |
9 June 2009 – 30 June 2010 |
5x |
1 July 2010 – 30 June 2011 |
5x |
1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012 |
5x |
1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013 |
4x |
1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014 |
3x |
1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015 |
2x |
For more information in the Solar Credits Scheme visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator at www.orer.gov.au or call (02) 6159 7700 or ask your solar power supplier.
To provide an additional incentive for the installation of small scale solar power systems, the NSW Government has introduced a Solar Bonus Scheme. The key features of NSW Solar Bonus Scheme include:
- It will credit eligible customers with a 'gross' feed-in tariff rate of 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all the electricity that their eligible solar photovoltaic (PV) system or wind turbine generates subject to the transitional arrangements.
- Small electricity customers (those with an annual electricity consumption of up to 160 megawatt hours) are eligible to participate in the Scheme.
- Solar PV systems and wind turbines up to 10 kilowatts in size will be eligible for the Scheme.
- The tariff rate of 60 cents per kilowatt hour will be fixed for the life of the Scheme, meaning it will not vary with the time of the day or during the life of the Scheme.
- The Scheme will commence on 1 January 2010 (with six months of transitional arrangements) and will operate for 7 years.
- The Scheme will be reviewed in 2012, or when the installed capacity of renewable energy generators participating in the Scheme reaches 50 megawatts, whichever occurs first.
For more details visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au/energy/sustainable/renewable/solar/solar-scheme
or call 1300 136 888.
Sustainable Illawarra presented an overview of the various government rebates associated with solar power systems at the Solar Expo evening on 23 February 2010.
Download the Solar Expo Presentation here [PDF, 327kb]
And remember, Sustainable Illawarra project partners are also providing special offers on solar power systems – to download your discount voucher, visit our special offers page.
Rainwater Tank Rebates
Using drinking water to flush the loo makes no sense at all! By capturing rainwater run- off from your roof, rainwater tanks can provide a valuable water source to flush toilets, wash clothes, water gardens and wash cars. Using rainwater can save you money and help the environment.
The NSW government offers rebates up to $1,500 for installing rainwater tanks in your home, depending on the size of the tank, the date the tank was purchased, and whether a licensed plumber connect the tanks to the toilet and/or washing machine. For more details visit
- www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourGarden/RainwaterTanks/ or
- www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfrtw.htm
The Federal Government, through the National Rainwater and Greywater initiative, offers homeowners a rebate of:
- $400 for a 2,000 – 3,999L tank provided it is plumbed back into the house OR
- $500 for a 4,000L plus tank, provided it is plumbed back into the house OR
- $500 for a permanent greywater treatment system, provided it is plumbed back into the house and/or to a sub-surface irrigation system.
There is a limit of one federal rebate per residential property, however the NSW rebate and federal rebate can be combined, meaning there is a total of up to $2,000 of rebates available.
Fridge Buyback
Fridge Buyback is an energy efficiency program that actually pays you to reduce your electricity bill and help save the environment. Old fridges are big energy users, consuming up to three times the energy of new fridges. Running your second fridge adds an average of $190 a year to your electricity bill and puts 1 tonne of greenhouse gases into the environment.
If you live in our collection area you can participate if:
- you have a working second fridge in regular use;
- it is at least 10 years old; and
- its internal volume is 250 litres or greater (8.83 cubic feet).
Experienced removalists will collect your fridge free of charge from your home if removal involves 20 stairs or less. We’ll also pay you a $35 rebate if removal involves six stairs or less. If removal involves 21 or more stairs, a fee will apply. The refrigerant gas from your fridge will be removed and safely disposed of and the metals recycled. Call 1800 708 401 to retire your working second fridge or visit
for more details
Water Efficient Washing Machine Rebate
Sydney Water Offers up to a $150 rebate for the purchase of a new washing machine with a minimum 4.5 star water efficiency rating. The rebate is available until 30 June 2010.
For more details visit:
And remember, Sustainable Illawarra project partners are also offering special discounts on water and energy efficient appliances – to download your discount voucher, visit our special offers page.
Sydney Water Special Offers
Sydney Water provides it’s customers with a wide range of great water saving offers, in addition to the washing machine and rainwater tank rebates. For more details of the special offers listed below, see
- FREE DIY Water Saving Kit – Receive a free kit with aerators to fit into your bathroom and kitchen taps, and flow regularots for your showerhead.
- Waterfix Service – this service involves a licensed plumber supplying and installing water efficient fixtures such as a showerhead, flow regulators to taps and the adjustment of suitable single flush toilets for only $22.00.
- Toilet Replacement Service – this involves the replacement of an old single flush toilet to a new 4 star water efficient dual flush toilet. The service includes the removal of the old toilet and the delivery and installation of a new dual flush toilet by a licensed plumber. There is a discount of $200 available for Sydney Water customers per toilet. Costs range from $330 - $528 depending on toilet selected.
- Love Your Garden Service – Have a horticulturist visit your garden and prepare a tailored watering plan for only $33.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
In addition to rebates, there is also the opportunity to receive a further cost reduction at the time of purchasing climate friendly technologies like solar hot water and solar power systems through the creation of RECs.
Renewable Energy Certificates are a form of currency which recognises and certifies that renewable energy generation has taken place.
The REC system has been created to aid in meeting Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET) set to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas production and increase the proportion of Australia’s electricity that is derived from renewable sources.
Each REC represents an equivalent 1 megawatt hour of electricity generation from an accredited renewable energy source, or in the case of solar hot water heaters each REC represents the equivalent of 1 megawatt hour of electricity displaced by solar energy.
Eligible technologies that may be able to create RECs include:
- Solar hot water heaters
- Heat pump hot water heaters
- Small photovoltaic solar energy generation systems
- Small wind turbines
- Small hydro systems
Each system is assigned a REC value which represents the number of megawatt hours displaced by the system over its lifetime. The value of 1 REC at the time of purchasing the system will determine the total REC value of the system. For example if your solar hot water system is entitled to 24 RECs, and the value of 1 REC is $46.00, then the total REC value of the system is $1,104.00.
Owners of solar hot water heaters or solar power systems can create RECs themselves through the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator’s internet based REC registry and do not have to sell them. However, most people find it far more convenient and simple to assign their right to create RECs to a Registered Agent in return for a financial benefit such as a discount at the time of purchase.
For more information on REC’s check out the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator at www.orer.gov.au, or speak to your solar hot water or solar power supplier.
Free Home Sustainability Assessments through the Green Loans Scheme
Through the Federal Government Green Loans program, you can access a free comprehensive home sustainability assessment and report valued at $250. This involves a qualified home sustainability assessor visiting your home for approximately one and half hours to discuss your major energy and water systems, and options for energy and water savings - from the smallest behavioral changes to larger investments such as a solar hot water system.
After the free assessment, householders receive a tailored report recommending the most effective changes for their home. Home owners, landlords and tenants are eligible for an assessment, as long as they earn less than $250,000 per annum, and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged over 18 years.
Following the home sustainability assessment, there is the option to access to an interest free Green Loan up to $10,000 with partnering banks to implement changes suggested in the report. Normal lending criteria applies and the loan is repayable over 4 years. Please note that following changes to the Green Loans scheme on 19 February 2010, access to these interest free loans will be discontinued from 22 March 2010. You’re under no obligation to apply for a loan after you have an assessment.
A number of trained sustainability home assessors are operating in the Illawarra area. To book your free Home Sustainability Assessment, call the Hotline on 1800 895 076, or to find out more about the program, visit