Frequently asked questions: NSW Home Saver Rebates
What did the NSW Home Saver Rebates program offer?
Why has the rebate program ended?
What if I applied before the program ended?
Will my rebate be directly deposited into my nominated bank account?
What were the eligibility criteria for rebates?
What if Im a Sydney Water Customer?
The NSW Home Saver Rebates program has ended as scheduled on 30 June 2011.
Rebates were available for eligible items purchased and installed on or before 30 June 2011, providing completed rebate applications were received by the Office of Environment and Heritage by 5pm 30 September 2011. Eligible items included:
solar, heat pump and gas hot water systems replacing electric systems
replacement of single-flush toilets with new 4 star dual flush toilets
hot water circulation units for instantaneous gas hot water heaters
rainwater tanks.
The NSW Home Saver Rebates program previously offered rebates for ceiling insulation and water efficient washing machines. The ceiling insulation rebate program ended as scheduled on 30 June 2009. The washing machine rebate ended as scheduled on 30 June 2010.
The $170 million NSW Home Saver Rebates program has ended as scheduled on 30 June 2011. This was first announced in early 2009 and has always been included in the program information.
Response to NSW Home Saver Rebates program has been phenomenal. By 30 September 2011 when all applications had been received, more than 330,000 rebates will have been issued to NSW households.
This represents 1 in 8 households receiving rebates for climate-friendly hot water systems, ceiling insulation, dual flush toilets, hot water circulators, rainwater tanks or water efficient washing machines.
The rebate program has also encouraged manufacturers to make water and energy efficient products more widely available.
The Office of Environment and Heritage will continue to provide support and guidance to households to help save water and energy around the home and money on utility bills. Ongoing energy efficiency programs available for NSW households include:
Home Power Savings Program - pensioners and other low income earners, provides a free visit from an energy expert assessor who installs a power savings kit and tailored advice to help save up to 20 per cent off their power use
Save Power library kits - available to borrow from participating libraries in NSW with tools to measure power use from appliances, find out where electricity is wasted and learn how to save on power bills
Save Power Retail Program - sales staff in certain appliance stores have been trained to give energy efficiency information and long term running costs of TVs, fridges, heaters and other appliances
NABERS Home - provides free on-line tools for householders to measure and compare their energy and water performance and find out where the biggest cost of energy savings can be made in their home.
Visit www.savepower.nsw.gov.au or phone the Environment line on 1300 361 967 for further details.
Completed rebate applications had to be received by the Office of Environment and Heritage within six months of the installation date, or no later than 5pm, 30 September 2011 (whichever was sooner). The installation date had to be documented on the receipt(s) submitted within your application form.
Applicants were required to:
ensure the eligible item was purchased and installed on or before 30 June 2011
read and agree to the terms and conditions of the rebate offer
complete and sign the application form
if applicable, ensure a licensed plumber completed the relevant sections of the application form, including the 'Licensed Plumber's Declaration' to certify that the plumbing work has been completed in accordance with all relevant requirements and regulations
attach a copy of the receipt(s) to demonstrate proof of purchase and installation, showing payment in full has been made
send the completed application form and a copy of the receipt(s) to:
NSW Home Saver Rebates
PO Box A290, Sydney South, NSW 1232.
If you purchased and installed the eligible item on or before 30 June 2011 and your completed application was received by the Office of Environment and Heritage before 5pm on 30 September 2011, receipt of your application will be acknowledged. The Office of Environment and Heritage will provide an estimated turnaround time for your payment. Most rebate payments will be made within 60 days of receiving your completed application form and a copy of your receipt(s), subject to verification of your application details.
Any applications received after 5pm 30 September 2011 are not eligible for a rebate.
On the rebate application form you could elect to receive your rebate by direct deposit into your nominated bank account or posted to you by cheque.
The NSW Home Saver Rebates program ended as scheduled on 30 June 2011.
To be eligible for a NSW Home Saver Rebate for a hot water system, hot water circulator, rainwater tank or dual flush toilet, applicants had to ensure that the program terms and conditions were met.
The following general eligibility criteria applied to all rebate applications:
the eligible item had to be purchased and installed on or before 30 June 2011
the eligible item had to be purchased new and installed in a property in NSW. Only one rebate was available per property
the eligible item had to be installed by a NSW licensed plumber (where applicable) and comply with all relevant requirements and regulations
the eligible item has/had to operate on the property for five years after receipt of the rebate
items for new homes or major renovations installed to comply with BAISX (the Building Sustainability Index) were not eligible for a rebate
from 15 January 2010, the total amount of NSW Home Saver Rebates received could not exceed $1500 per property.
To be eligible for the rebate, applicants had to:
read and agree to the terms and conditions, complete and sign the application form
submit a completed application form to the Office of Environment and Heritage within six months of the installation date or by 5pm on 30 September 2011(whichever was sooner)
provide copies of receipt(s) confirming payment in full by 30 June 2011.
Applications which did not meet the terms and conditions were ineligible for the rebate.
A full list of eligibility criteria for each rebate program can be found in the terms and conditions:
Sydney Water administered the dual flush toilet, hot water circulator and rainwater tank rebates for customers in its area of operations. Sydney Water customers needed to claim their rebate through Sydney Water. To be eligible for a rebate, Sydney Water customers had to purchase and install the eligible item prior to 30 June 2011 and submit an application to Sydney Water by 5pm on 30 September 2011.
For further information refer to Sydney Water's website or contact Sydney Water on 13 20 92.
Page last updated: 12 October 2011
