NSW Energy Loans Cut As Victoria’s Gas War Heats Up

The NSW government is tightening access to its zero-interest energy loans program, with the program set to be available only to households earning $150,000 or less from November 10. It comes as the Victorian election heats up, with the Liberal opposition pledging to cancel an impending ban on gas connections for new homes.

NSW Tightens Its Zero-Interest Loans

The NSW Home Energy Saver program offers loans of up to $15,000 with no interest. You get up to 10 years to pay them back. The loans cover upgrades such as solar, batteries, heat pump hot water, and air conditioning.

From 10 November, only households earning $150,000 or less a year can apply. The old limit was $210,000. If you applied before 10 November, the old limit still applies to you. Victoria made the same cut to its Solar Homes rebates in July.

“We’ve seen enormous demand for these loans since they launched in June, with more than 15,000 households already approved,” NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said.

Sharpe explained the change this way:

“We’re making changes to eligibility so the program is focused on helping low- and middle-income households overcome the upfront costs of these upgrades.”

Opinions are split. Rewiring Australia founder Saul Griffith says the new limit locks out about 400,000 NSW homes.

“These are nurses married to electricians, teachers married to tradies. They’re not rich, they’re stretched, and they were ready to go,” he said.

The Justice and Equity Centre sees it differently. Its Program Director for Water and Energy, Douglas McCloskey, welcomed the move to “focus on supporting the households who need it most to benefit from energy upgrades.”

You can check other eligibility requirements and find links about where to apply for a loan on the official NSW government page. Make sure to get an application in by November 10 if you are set to be excluded under the rule change.

The NSW government notes people ineligible for the program may remain eligible for alternative incentives – households can check their eligibility for other programs via the energy savings finder tool.

Victoria: Gas Rules On The Line

Key dates for home energy help and gas rules in NSW and Victoria. The Victorian dates for 2027 depend on the outcome of the 28 November election.

It comes as Victorians go to the polls on 28 November, with the future of the state’s plan for home electrification at stake.

Under the state Labor government’s current rules:

•  From 1 January 2027, new homes must be all-electric.
• From 1 March 2027, if your gas hot water system breaks and can’t be repaired, you must replace it with an electric one, such as a heat pump.
• If you own your home, you can still replace a gas heater or cooktop with another gas one.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has promised to scrap these rules within 100 days if the Liberals and Nationals win. She said:

“Victorians should decide how they cook their meals, heat their homes and run their businesses”.

Victoria’s Energy Minister Jaclyn Symes defended the rules:

“By reducing demand for gas in households, we’re keeping down power bills and reserving supply for industry.”

Rewiring Australia has launched a petition campaign to defend the state Labor government’s gas connection phase-out plan, citing research that finds the average Victorian family saves around $1,220 a year by getting off gas and going electric – even without solar and including upfront costs.

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