Find your local program
Choose your state or territory.
These are hot water installation incentives, separate from general electricity bill concessions. Federal STCs may also apply to an eligible model in every location. Amounts shown below are program maximums or indicative discounts, not guaranteed quote amounts.
New South Wales
ESS discount, plus federal STCs
Up to $640 electric or $330 gas
NSW lists indicative upfront discounts of up to $640 for replacing an electric water heater with a heat pump and up to $330 for replacing gas. Your installer applies the actual ESS discount to the quote. STCs may provide a separate federal benefit.
A larger, limited-time offer
The Safeguard Acceleration Program offers larger discounts in selected postcodes until 30 June 2027 or until funding runs out. Accredited Power Saver appears in the government’s participating-business list for selected postcodes. The amount depends on the system and quote. Check the postcode table before assuming access.
What you need to do
Households and small businesses may qualify for the standard ESS offer when an eligible upgrade creates energy savings. For the larger offer, you must own a home in an eligible postcode and use a contracted business. The nomination form must be completed before payment or installation. Get the discount shown on the written quote and allow for a required customer contribution.
Victoria
Solar Victoria rebate and VEU discount
Up to $1,000 or $1,400
Eligible products can receive up to $1,000. An eligible locally made product can receive up to $1,400. The rebate is 50% of the product purchase price after other discounts, including STCs and VEU, subject to the cap. You must use an authorised retailer and listed product.
Indicative $630 electric or $560 gas
For a heat pump replacement, the Victorian Government lists an indicative VEU discount of $630 when replacing inefficient electric hot water and $560 when replacing inefficient gas. An accredited provider applies the discount to the quote. Eligible rental properties can also participate in VEU.
Get approval before installation
For the Solar Victoria rebate, you generally need to be an owner-occupier, have combined owner taxable income below $150,000, a property worth under $3 million, an existing hot water system at least three years old and no prior hot water or battery rebate at that address. Obtain a quote, apply and wait for your QR code before work starts. Emergency replacements have a separate process. VEU has its own product, building and warranty rules.
South Australia
REPS offers, plus federal STCs
Discounted upgrades may be offered
REPS includes replacing or upgrading a water heater as an eligible activity. Participating energy retailers choose which activities they offer and may deliver them through activity providers. There is no single statewide dollar rebate to add to every quote.
Ask before committing
You do not have to buy energy from the retailer offering a REPS activity. Ask the retailer or activity provider whether a hot water offer is active for your address and model, what it covers and how any discount appears on your quote. Priority-group households may have access to further offers.
STCs can lower the upfront price
If the heat pump model qualifies, a registered agent can arrange federal STCs as an upfront discount. Confirm whether your quoted price already includes both the STC value and any available REPS offer.
Queensland
Federal STCs are the main general incentive
STC discount on eligible models
An eligible heat pump can generate federal STCs. When you assign them to a registered agent, their value can reduce the quoted purchase price. The old Climate Smart Energy Savers appliance cash rebate has closed, so it should not be added to a current household quote.
Community housing providers
Queensland’s Community Housing Energy Upgrades program can support eligible provider-owned community homes, including efficient hot water. It offers up to $4,500 excluding GST per dwelling, with applications closing 30 October 2026. The provider applies. It is not a general homeowner rebate.
Model, postcode and installed price
Ask whether the exact model appears on the federal register, how many STCs the installation earns and whether our installers cover your Queensland address. Electricity bill concessions are separate from installation incentives.
Australian Capital Territory
Concession rebate and loan options
Up to $2,500 for eligible upgrades
Eligible concession-card owner-occupiers may receive 50% of supply and installation cost, capped at $2,500, for an efficient upgrade that can include a hot water heat pump. You must attend a free workshop. The home’s unimproved value must be at or below $750,000 for most freestanding homes, or $300,000 for eligible unit-titled apartments. Seek pre-approval before accepting the quote or installing.
Loan, not a rebate
Other eligible ACT homeowners can seek a 3% low-interest loan of $2,000 to $20,000 for eligible upgrades, including heat pump hot water. Eligible Home Energy Support participants may instead access a zero-interest loan up to $10,000. Lending criteria apply.
Federal STCs may also apply. Check local authorised suppliers for installation availability.
Western Australia
Start with federal STCs
Eligible heat pumps may earn STCs
The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme can reduce the price of a listed heat pump through a registered agent. The value depends on model, climate zone and installation year. We did not find an open statewide household heat pump purchase rebate in the official sources checked.
Look for council offers
Some local councils run limited sustainability rebates with their own dates and residence rules. Check your council before ordering. General energy bill concessions and battery incentives should not be presented as heat pump installation discounts.
Check local installers for supply and installation.
Tasmania
Federal STCs remain available
STCs on eligible models
A listed heat pump can qualify for federal STCs in Tasmania. Check that the quote includes the STC benefit and that the model suits colder local conditions.
Closed to new applications
The state’s former zero-interest Energy Saver Loan Scheme closed on 1 September 2025. Do not rely on the older loan advertisements as a current way to fund an installation.
Check local installers for supply and installation.
Northern Territory
Check federal STCs and local support
STCs on eligible models
Federal STCs may reduce the upfront cost of an eligible heat pump. Check the exact model and your location on the federal register. We did not find an open territory-wide household heat pump purchase rebate in the official sources checked.
Check the NT savings finder
The NT savings finder covers energy and utility support, much of which helps with bills rather than buying a new hot water system. Ask a local supplier for a written installed price that shows any certificate benefit.
Check local installers for supply and installation.
Program information checked 29 September 2026. Your final amount depends on current program rules, exact model, existing system, postcode, installer and quote. For NSW, VIC, SA and QLD, ask us to confirm current installation coverage at your address.
Available nationally
What are STCs, and how do they lower the price?
Small-scale Technology Certificates are federal renewable energy certificates. Eligible heat pump and solar hot water systems can create them in every Australian state and territory.
The practical version
- Choose a heat pump model on the Clean Energy Regulator’s register. Air source heat pumps must generally have capacity below 425 litres for this scheme.
- The number of certificates depends on the exact model, location and installation year.
- You can assign the right to create the certificates to a registered agent. Their value can then appear as an upfront discount on the purchase price.
- Check whether a promoted “from” price already includes the STC value. You cannot add the same certificate discount twice.
Why the year matters
The federal deeming period decreases each year through 2030. This changes the number of STCs a new installation can create. The certificate market value can also change.
This is a change to the federal certificate calculation. It does not mean every installed price rises by the same amount on 1 January.
Sources: Clean Energy Regulator, eligible water heaters and certificate calculation and deeming period.
Know what you are paying
How your installed price is built.
A rebate headline is only one part of a quote. Ask to see the full price and each benefit already included, so you can compare like with like.
Product and installation
The selected tank, plumbing, electrical work, removal and any site-specific extras form the starting price.
Federal STC value
An eligible model may receive an upfront certificate discount when STCs are assigned to a registered agent.
State or provider offer
If eligible, an ESS, VEU, Solar Victoria or REPS benefit may also reduce the amount you pay. Each program has its own rules.
Your final contribution
See the final amount, deposit, included work and any separate finance terms in writing before you proceed.
Prepare for a clear answer
Five details make your rebate check easier.
Tick off what you have. This checklist helps us assess your options and installation scope. It does not confirm program eligibility by itself.
A broken Victorian hot water system may use Solar Victoria’s emergency installation process. Ask before assuming you must wait without hot water.
Start my hot water assessment →A clear path from interest to installation
We help you see the real price before you decide.
Your state determines the program steps. We start with the details of your home, then show you the system and discount pathway available for your address.
Tell us what you have
Share your postcode, existing fuel type, tank photos and installation space. We check service coverage and suitable systems.
Review the full quote
Compare the selected model, installation scope, certificate value, any available state offer and your final contribution.
Complete the right steps
We explain what forms or approvals apply before work starts, then arrange installation after the required program steps are complete.
Common questions
Understand the offer before you commit.
Can I combine federal and state incentives?
Often, yes, if the installation qualifies for each program and their rules allow it. Victoria expressly calculates its Solar Homes hot water rebate after STC and VEU discounts. Ask for a written quote that shows what is already included, rather than adding advertised maximums together.
Is a rebate paid into my bank account?
It depends on the program. STC value is commonly provided upfront when certificates are assigned to a registered agent. NSW ESS and Victorian VEU discounts appear in an eligible quote. Solar Victoria pays its rebate to the authorised retailer after approval, so the customer pays the remaining amount. ACT Home Energy Support has a rebate-only pathway where an eligible customer pays upfront and claims after installation.
Why is the discount different for electric and gas replacements?
State certificate programs calculate the savings created by the upgrade, and the result depends on the old system and eligible new model. NSW currently lists different indicative ESS amounts for electric and gas replacements. Installation work can also differ, especially when replacing gas.
Does every heat pump qualify?
No. The federal STC scheme uses a register of eligible models. State schemes also have their own product, installation and warranty rules. A low advertised tank price does not establish rebate eligibility.
Can I claim a discount after installation?
Do not assume so. NSW’s larger-discount program requires a nomination form before payment and installation. Solar Victoria usually requires eligibility approval and a QR code before installation, with a separate emergency replacement process. ACT’s rebate-only pathway requires pre-approval before installation and a claim afterwards. Check your state’s process first.
What if I rent or live in an apartment?
It depends on the program and property approvals. NSW’s larger offer is for homeowners, while Victorian VEU can include private rentals. Solar Victoria’s hot water rebate is generally for eligible owner-occupiers. An apartment installation can require owners corporation approval and an appropriate site.
Are more NSW household discounts coming?
NSW’s separate Home Energy Saver program lists a means-tested discount of up to $4,000 for eligible upgrades, but its discount applications were not yet open when this page was checked on 29 September 2026. Its loan pathway is separate. Check the current NSW program status before treating it as part of today’s quote.
Do I need solar panels to receive a heat pump discount?
No. An eligible air source heat pump can qualify for federal STCs without rooftop solar. Solar panels may help reduce its running costs if the system is timed to use suitable daytime generation.
Ready to see your real options?
Let us check the discount for your address.
Tell us your postcode and current hot water system. We will check service coverage, suitable models, available incentives and the full installed price before you decide.