Short answer
Heat pumps work in every Australian capital, but the right model and the money on offer differ a lot. Canberra and Hobart need cold-climate models. Melbourne has the biggest rebates and the 2027 gas rule. Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide have a free midday power window. Perth and Hobart rely on federal STCs alone.
On this page
Two things change most from city to city: winter temperature, which decides how hard a heat pump works and which models suit, and state support, which decides what you pay. This table puts them side by side.
How do the capital cities compare for heat pumps?
| City | Coldest month mean min | Heat pump zone (CBD) | Main support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | 0.1°C | 5 | 3% loans; 50% concession rebate; no new gas connections |
| Hobart | 4.7°C | 5 | State loan scheme closed 2025; no free midday window |
| Melbourne | 7.6°C | 4 | VEU discount + Solar Homes rebate; 2027 gas rule; Midday Power Saver |
| Adelaide | 7.6°C | 3 | REPS retailer discounts; Solar Sharer 12pm to 3pm |
| Sydney | 8.1°C | 3 | Energy Savings Scheme discount; zero-interest loans; Solar Sharer 11am to 2pm |
| Perth | 8.1°C | 3 | No state rebate found; no free midday window |
| Brisbane | 10.6°C | 3 | No state rebate (closed 2023); Solar Sharer 11am to 2pm |
Temperatures are Bureau of Meteorology long-term averages at one station per city (see each city page). Zones are for the CBD postcode from the CER postcode zones; suburbs can differ. Darwin (July mean minimum 19.3°C, zone 1) is covered on the Northern Territory page.
Which cities need a cold-climate heat pump?
energy.gov.au warns that "not all models are designed for cold locations where it regularly drops below 5°C in winter" (energy.gov.au). On long-term averages, Canberra (0.1°C) and Hobart (4.7°C) are below that line in July. Melbourne and Adelaide (7.6°C) are close, and Melbourne's older long-term record at the Regional Office station averages 6.0°C. Brisbane is the mildest capital in the table at 10.6°C. See cold climates.
Where is the most help with the cost?
Victoria, by a distance, with two state programs on top of STCs. NSW and the ACT come next. SA relies on retailer offers. Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the NT have no current state rebate I could find. See rebates by state.
City guides
- MelbourneHeat pump hot water in MelbourneA Melbourne guide to heat pump hot water: winter performance, the 2027 gas rule, Solar Victoria and VEU discounts, tariffs and what to ask installers.
- SydneyHeat pump hot water in SydneyA Sydney guide to heat pump hot water: the mild climate, NSW Energy Savings Scheme discounts, Solar Sharer midday power and apartment and noise limits.
- BrisbaneHeat pump hot water in BrisbaneA Brisbane guide to heat pump hot water: why the warm climate suits heat pumps, what rebates apply in Queensland, and how midday solar and tariffs fit in.
- PerthHeat pump hot water in PerthA Perth guide to heat pump hot water: what WA rebates exist, how STCs apply, the sunny climate, solar timing and what to compare in quotes.
- AdelaideHeat pump hot water in AdelaideAn Adelaide guide to heat pump hot water: SA's REPS discounts, the Adelaide Hills cold, Solar Sharer midday power and how to compare quotes.
- HobartHeat pump hot water in Hobart and TasmaniaA Hobart and Tasmania guide to heat pump hot water: cold-weather performance, STCs in a cold zone, available help and what to ask installers.
- CanberraHeat pump hot water in CanberraA Canberra guide to heat pump hot water: frosty winters, ACT loans and concessions, the ACT's gas phase-out and choosing a unit that copes with the cold.
Sources for this page
- Postcode zones for air source heat pumps and solar water heaters (Version 3, 1 January 2020), Clean Energy Regulator. Last checked: November 2026.
- Hot water systems, energy.gov.au (Australian Government). Last checked: November 2026.
- Climate statistics: Melbourne Regional Office 086071, Bureau of Meteorology. Last checked: November 2026.
Every source used on the site is listed on the sources page.