Government is increasingly looking to step-up its support of our efforts to reduce water consumption and lower our greenhouse gas emissions.

The rebates, offers and incentives being offered assist in the affordable take up of energy generation, water and energy efficiency products and services. These rebates and offers are designed to make pro-environmental investments in your home or gardens economically attractive.

Government Rebates, Offers and Schemes

Federal Government

Renewable Power Incentive

You maybe entitled to Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) if your Small-scale Generation Unit (SGU), such as small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind or hydro unit, is eligible. These certificates can then be sold and transferred to a STC agent (usually electricity retailers) or sold in the STC market or through the STC Clearing House. A STC agent will offer you a financial benefit such as an up-front discount or delayed cash payment when you assign your STCs to them. A majority of owners take this option.

For more details visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website for information on solar panels and fact sheets on small-scale renewab.  

Related: Generate your own electricity

Solar Hot Water Rebate

The Government announced on 28 February 2012 that the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme – Solar Hot Water Rebate (REBS) will close on 30 June 2012.

REBS was available to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems.

If you have installed a system prior to 28 February 2012, your application must reach the Department within 122 days from the date of installation.

If you purchased or ordered (and paid a deposit) for a system up to 28 February 2012, but installed it after 28 February 2012, applications must be received by the Department by 30 June 2012.

For more details visit the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website.

Related: Install solar hot water

LPG Gas Vehicle Conversion

The LPG Vehicle Scheme offers grants of $2,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle already fitted with LPG or a grant of $1,500 for the LPG conversion of a new or used vehicle.

To check your eligibility and download an application form visit the AusIndustry LPG Vehicle Scheme website. You can also ring the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au

NSW Government

Solar Bonus Scheme 

The Solar Bonus Scheme has been suspended.

Related: Generate your own electricity 

Home Power Savings Scheme 

The Home Power Savings Program helps residents with an eligible concession card to improve their household energy efficiency. The program includes a home energy assessment, a power savings product kit and a personal action plan.

For more details visit the Save Power website.

Related: Install energy efficient appliances and fixtures

Fridge Buyback Program

Fridge Buyback program pays you to help save the environment and reduce your power bills by giving up your old second fridge or upright freezer.

Old fridges are the biggest energy users in the home, consuming up to three times the energy of new fridges. Running your second fridge adds an average of $265 a year to your power bills and results in greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. And, old upright freezers use almost as much power as an old fridge. Households that have been using a second fridge or freezer can hand in their old working appliances by calling 1800 708 401 during business hours to make a booking. The fridges and freezers collected are professionally degassed and the metals recycled. There are regular collection runs every few weeks in most built-up areas .

To participate in the program, your fridge must be a working second fridge that has been in regular use, is 200 litres or more in size and built before 1996. Fridge Buyback can also now take upright freezers that have been in regular use, are 200 litres or more in size and built before 1996.

Fridge Buyback provides residents with free collection by professional removalists and a $35 rebate if the removal of the fridge or freezer involves 6 steps or less. Appliances are collected for free if there are between 7 or 20 steps but no rebate is available. A fee will apply only if the property has more than 20 steps.

Fridge Buyback is an energy savings program operating under the NSW Government’s Energy Savings Scheme and is supported by Council. The program is independently operated by Next Energy Pty Ltd.

For more details visit the Fridge Buyback website.

Waterfix Program 

While not a rebate as such, the Waterfix program provides assistance for leak repairs and toilet replacements. Learn more here or call the WaterFix hotline on 1800 807 475..

For more details visit the Sydney Water website.

Related: Harvest and use your rainwater

Toilet Replacement Service

The Toilet Replacement Service offers Sydney Water customers a saving of up to $370 to replace a single-flush toilet with a new 4-star, water-efficient dual-flush toilet. You may also be eligible for a $200 rebate if you have bought and had installed a dual-flush toilet after 10 January 2010 and before 30 June 2011 under the NSW Home Savers Rebates program.

For more details visit the Sydney Water website.

Related: Install energy efficient appliances and fixtures

© 2010 Natural Strategies Group Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: We and our content providers ('we') have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities.