Water Rebates in Australia

I received quite a number of feedback from readers on the “Free DIY Water savings kit from Sydney Water” that they like to get involved in being sustainable and saving water. However they do not live in the Illawarra, Sydney or Blue Mountains regions and hence not eligible for the water savings kit.

There are many ways to save water and as you know, Australia’s freshwater systems are under threat from drought, pollution, land clearing and intensive water extraction.
There is an IEEE Spectrum article titled “Australia’s Drought-Busting Water Grid” which really brings home the severity of Australia’s water grid system.

Saving water is easy and you can do it regardless of which state you live in. Each state government offer a bunch of water saving rebates, so saving water is also saving you money too!

Below is a list of rebates that are offered by each state:

All States

• National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
  The Australian Government is providing rebates of up to $500 to households for either
  • The purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank which is connected for internal reuse of the water for toilet and/or laundry use; or
  • The purchase and installation of a permanent greywater treatment system.
  • Applicants must apply for the rebate within six months of purchasing an eligible rainwater tank or greywater system. Applications will not be accepted after 31 March 2014.

New South Wales

• Dual Flush Toilet Rebate
  As part of the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund, you can get a rebate of $200 if you replace your single flush toilet with a dual flush toilet that has a 4 star or higher water efficiency rating.
• Washing Machine Rebate
  Washing machines are typically the third highest user of water in the home. As part of the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund, Sydney Water offers a $150 rebate to customers who buy a new washing machine with at least a 5 star water efficiency rating.
• Hot Water Circular Rebate
  As part of the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund, install a hot water circulator with your instantaneous gas hot water system and get a rebate of $150.
  Instantaneous gas hot water systems only start to heat water when you turn on the hot water tap. That’s why you get cold water first. Up to 17,000 litres of water is wasted in this way in the average home each year.
  A hot water circulator sends the cold water back into the hot water system to be reheated or used later.
• Rainwater Tank Rebate
  A rebate of up to $1,500 is available to Sydney Water customers who install a rainwater tank before 30 June 2011. Rainwater tanks installed as a condition of BASIX certification are not eligible for a rebate.

Victoria

• Water Smart Gardens & Homes Rebate Scheme
  The Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate scheme gives you the chance to save water and money when you purchase eligible water-saving products between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2011.
  Eligible products include water efficient showerheads, upgrading to eligible dual flush toilets, garden products, rainwater tanks and systems for reusing household waste water.
  Click to see a list of eligible products

South Australia

• Showerheads
  up to $30 to purchase and install a low-flow (3 stars or more) showerhead
• Dual flush toilets
  $150 for retrofitting a dual flush toilet suite with a WELS rating of 3 stars or better
• Washing machines
  $200 rebate modified for water efficient washing machines with a minimum of 4.5 stars
• Garden goods
  up to $100 back if you spend a minimum of $250 or more; or 40% of a minimum spend of $150 on water efficient gardens goods
• Home Water Audit
  $100 ($110 for regional areas) for a Home Water Audit + plus up to 2 free low-flow showerheads
• Rainwater tanks
  Between $200 and $1000 towards the cost of purchase and retrofit of a rainwater into your home for uses such as toilet flushing, clothes washing or for hot water supply and as of 11 March 2010 up to $200 for a stand alone rainwater tank (a tank that is not required to be connected to the house)
• Hot water re-circulator
  $150 rebate for purchase and connection to an entire heated water system
• Pool covers and cover rollers
  up to $200 rebate for the purchase of approved pool/spa covers and cover rollers
• Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme
  The South Australian Government’s Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme provides a rebate of $500 on the cost of a new solar or electric heat pump water heater system installed on or after 1st July 2008.

Northern Territory

• Solar Hot Water Retrofit
  The Northern Territory Government offers a Solar Hot Water Retrofit Rebate, administered by the  Power and Water Corporation.  The rebate is available to eligible pre-existing homes in the Northern Territory to replace electric systems with solar hot water systems.  The rebate is designed to compensate for additional plumbing and roof structure upgrades that may be required to complete the installation.

Queensland

• Solar Hot Water Rebate
  If you switch to solar hot water you could save on your electricity bill. Now, thanks to the Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate, solar hot water is easy and more affordable with rebates of up to $1000.
  Not only is solar water heating great for lowering your energy bills, but you’ll be reducing your home’s greenhouse gas emissions by around two tonnes every year.
  Make the most of our brilliant Queensland sun and install solar hot water in your home today.

Western Australia

• Hot Water Rebate
  The WA Solar Water Heater Subsidy Scheme provides rebates for gas-boosted water heaters used for residential purposes.

ACT

• ToiletSmart Program
  The 2009 ToiletSmart program assists  ACT residential property owners to replace single flush toilets with four-star, water efficient 4.5/3 litre dual flush toilets.

Tasmania

• Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate
  Hobart City Council has introduced a new Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate Scheme, offering Hobart ratepayers a $500 incentive to install a solar or heat pump hot water system into their homes.