Heat pump hot water rebates in Australia, state by state

"Heat pump hot water rebate" covers a few very different things: a federal certificate scheme that works everywhere, state discounts that come off your quote, rebates paid to the retailer, and low-interest or zero-interest loans. Most are claimed by the installer or retailer on your behalf, which is why the official rules matter: if the paperwork isn't right before the job starts, you can miss out.

Which heat pump rebates are available in each state?

What is the federal heat pump rebate?

There isn't a federal cash rebate as such. The federal support is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which gives eligible heat pumps small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Most people sign the certificates over to the installer, who takes their value off the price. The number of certificates depends on the model, your climate zone and the year it goes in, and it shrinks every year until the scheme ends on 31 December 2030 (Clean Energy Regulator). My STC guide explains how to check the number for a quote.

The government also runs the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, which offers discounted loans through participating lenders, and hot water heat pumps are an eligible upgrade (energy.gov.au).

How much can I get in each state?

• Victoria: VEU discount up to $560 replacing gas or $630 replacing electric, plus a Solar Homes rebate up to $1,000 ($1,400 for eligible locally made products) for owner-occupiers. Victorian rebates.
• NSW: Energy Savings Scheme discount up to $640 replacing electric or $330 replacing gas (indicative), zero-interest loans up to $15,000, and discounts up to $4,000 for lower income households that are announced but not yet open. NSW rebates.
• South Australia: retailer discounts under REPS, with amounts set by each retailer. SA rebates.
• ACT: Sustainable Household Scheme loans up to $20,000 (now at 3% interest for most households), and a rebate of 50% up to $2,500 for concession card holders. ACT rebates.
• Queensland: the state rebate closed in December 2023. Queensland.
• Western Australia: no state rebate found. WA.
• Tasmania: the zero-interest loan scheme closed in September 2025. Tasmania.
• Northern Territory: no current program found. NT.

Can I combine federal and state rebates?

Generally yes. Victoria's Solar Homes rebate is calculated after STCs and VEU discounts come off (Solar Victoria), and the NSW Government says households can seek incentives from both the NSW and Australian governments (energy.nsw.gov.au). Each state page explains its own stacking rules.

What do most rebates have in common?

• The model must be on a list. STCs need the model on the Clean Energy Regulator register. State programs often have their own list too. See how to check a model is eligible.
• The discount is arranged before installation. NSW says its nomination form must be completed before work begins, and Victoria says retrospective VEU discounts are typically not possible.
• You usually pay something. VEU sets a minimum customer contribution of $200, and NSW requires a minimum payment.
• Licensed installation. STCs need the system installed to state licensing rules (Clean Energy Regulator). See the installer checklist.

How do I avoid rebate scams and pressure selling?

Government programs don't cold call you to sell hot water systems. Be wary of anyone who says a "government" offer ends today, asks you to sign before you have a written quote, or can't tell you which program the discount comes from. Check the program on its official page (linked above) and get more than one quote.

All rebate guides

• Victoriaup to $1,560Heat pump hot water rebates in VictoriaHow the Solar Victoria hot water rebate and Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts work for heat pumps, who is eligible, and how they stack with federal STCs.
• NSWup to $640Heat pump hot water rebates in NSWHow NSW discounts for heat pump hot water work under the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, who can get them and what to check.
• QueenslandClosedHeat pump hot water rebates in QueenslandWhat Queenslanders can claim on a heat pump hot water system today, what happened to past state rebates, and how federal STCs still cut the price.
• Western AustraliaNoneHeat pump hot water rebates in Western AustraliaWhat help exists in WA for a heat pump hot water system, how federal STCs apply in Perth, and what to check before you sign a quote.
• South AustraliaREPSHeat pump hot water rebates in South AustraliaHow South Australia's Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme and federal STCs apply to heat pump hot water, and what households should ask for.
• ACTup to $2,500Heat pump hot water rebates and loans in the ACTACT help for heat pump hot water: the Sustainable Household Scheme loans, concession rebates and the ACT's move away from gas, with official sources.
• TasmaniaClosedHeat pump hot water rebates in TasmaniaWhat Tasmanians can claim on heat pump hot water, how STCs work in a cold zone, and why cold-climate performance matters in Hobart and Launceston.
• Northern TerritoryNoneHeat pump hot water rebates in the Northern TerritoryWhat help Territorians can get for heat pump hot water, how STCs apply in Darwin's climate zone, and when solar hot water may suit better.
• Federal STCsFederal STCs for heat pump hot water explainedHow small-scale technology certificates (STCs) cut the price of a heat pump hot water system anywhere in Australia, how many you get and why it shrinks each year.