As of October 2026: this page names the schemes and explains them in general terms only. We don't list rebate amounts or eligibility criteria here because they change. Always confirm current details with Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program before you commit to a purchase.
The short version
- Two schemes to know: Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
- Check before you buy. Rebates and discounts usually need to be confirmed or applied before or at the point of purchase, not claimed afterwards.
- Amounts and eligibility change. Don't rely on a figure you saw in an ad, a forum or last year's news story.
- Your installer matters. Some schemes only apply when you buy through a participating retailer or provider. Ask before you sign.
Solar Victoria hot water rebate
Solar Victoria is the Victorian Government agency that runs the Solar Homes program. Over time it has offered rebates on eligible hot water systems, including solar hot water and heat pump systems, for eligible households.
How it generally works:
- Eligibility has been based on criteria set by Solar Victoria, which can include things like whether you own and live in the home, household income, property value and the system being replaced. These criteria have changed before and may change again.
- Rebates are usually tied to approved products and to retailers participating in the program.
- There's typically an eligibility check or application step before the system is installed.
Where to check: the Solar Victoria website (solar.vic.gov.au). Look for the current hot water rebate page, the eligibility criteria, and the list of participating retailers and approved products.
Victorian Energy Upgrades hot water
The Victorian Energy Upgrades program is a separate state government scheme. Instead of a rebate paid to you, VEU generally works as a discount on eligible energy-efficient products, including some hot water systems, applied through an accredited provider.
How it generally works:
- The discount is usually built into the price you're quoted by an accredited VEU provider, rather than claimed back later.
- Hot water upgrades under VEU have commonly involved replacing an existing system with a more efficient one, such as a heat pump.
- The size of the discount can vary between products and providers, and the program's rules are updated from time to time.
Where to check: the Victorian Energy Upgrades section of the Victorian Government's energy website (energy.vic.gov.au). It explains the current activities, how discounts work, and how to find an accredited provider.
Heat pump rebate Victoria: why heat pumps come up so often
Heat pump hot water systems feature heavily in Victorian schemes because they heat water by moving heat from the air, using less electricity than a standard electric storage system to do the same job. For households moving off gas, or replacing an old electric unit, that's often the system the schemes are aimed at.
That doesn't mean a heat pump is right for every home. Space, noise placement, household size and how you use hot water all matter. We cover the practical side on our heat pump hot water page, and solar options on our solar hot water repairs page.
Can you combine schemes?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. Whether a Solar Victoria rebate and a VEU discount can be used on the same system has depended on the rules in place at the time. Check both official sites, and ask your installer to confirm in writing what they're applying to your quote.
What to check before you buy
Work through this list before you sign anything:
- Am I eligible right now? Check the current criteria on the official site. Don't assume last year's rules still apply.
- Is the product on the approved list? Not every heat pump or solar system qualifies.
- Is the retailer or installer participating? A rebate or discount may only apply through participating or accredited businesses.
- When does the rebate or discount apply? Before purchase, at the point of sale, or after installation? Get this clear first.
- What paperwork do I need? Proof of ownership, an existing-system check or other documents may be needed.
- Is the system right for my home? A rebate is only a saving if the system suits your household's hot water use and site.
Questions to ask your installer
A good installer will answer these plainly. If they can't, that's useful information too.
- Which scheme, if any, is being applied to my quote, and how much is it reducing the price?
- Are you a participating retailer or accredited provider for that scheme?
- Is the product you're quoting on the scheme's approved list?
- What do I need to do, and by when, to keep the rebate or discount?
- What happens to my old system, and is removal included in the quote?
- What does the installation include, testing, safety valves, commissioning?
- What are the long-term running costs compared with what I've got now?
Where OnCall fits
We're plumbers, not a rebate agency, and we don't make promises about scheme eligibility. Rebates are for Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program to decide.
What we can do is help with the plumbing side of the decision. We install electric, gas storage, continuous flow, solar and heat pump systems, and our installation process starts with an assessment of your water usage, household size, available utilities and long-term running costs. We'll give you a clear price for the job, approved by you before work starts.
If your current system has failed and you're weighing whether to repair it or upgrade, read our repair or replace guide first. An emergency replacement on a cold night isn't always the best time to work through rebate paperwork, so if your old unit can be safely repaired to buy you time, we'll tell you.
Hot water system rebate Melbourne: common questions
What hot water rebates are available in Victoria?
The main schemes are Solar Victoria's hot water rebate and discounts through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Check both official websites for what's currently available.
How much is the hot water rebate in Victoria?
It changes, so we don't publish a figure. Check Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program for current amounts before you buy.
Am I eligible for a hot water rebate?
Only the scheme can tell you. Check the current eligibility criteria on the official site, as they change from time to time.
Is there a heat pump rebate in Victoria?
Heat pumps have been a focus of both Solar Victoria and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. Check the official sites for what applies right now.
Can I claim a rebate after the system is installed?
Often not. Many schemes need the eligibility check or discount applied before or at purchase, so confirm first.
Is OnCall an approved rebate provider?
The scheme's official list of participating businesses is the only reliable answer, so check it before you buy. We won't promise a rebate we can't confirm.
Thinking about a new hot water system?
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