Australian Small Businesses To Get Rebates For Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Are all businesses in Australia making full use of government programs, incentives, rebates and grants to help SME’s in becoming more energy efficient? Depending on where you are located, your business may be eligible for free or subsidized incentives to upgrade equipment such as lighting or cooling systems to more energy-efficient variants that can save money and help our environment.

Household and Small Business Upgrade Program (NSW)

Thinking about installing a new air-con in your retail store, office or business premises? This incentive is available to small businesses in New South Wales that install an energy-efficient unit by an approved installer. The amount of discount depends on the size and model of the unit.

Business Energy and Water Program (ACT)

Up to $5,000 rebates are available to businesses (eligible) functioning in the ACT and looking to upgrade to water and power efficient technologies, including lighting, appliances, heating or cooling, refrigeration, insulation, toilets, and taps.

To be eligible, businesses are required to be operating in ACT, have electricity bills totaling up to $20,000 per year and/or employ up to 10 full-time equivalent staff.

Victorian Energy Upgrades program (VIC)

It provides Victorian businesses access to discounted energy and water-efficient products and services through accredited service providers.

The program helps businesses cut their power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing access to products and services including:

• refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerated display cabinets
• refrigeration fans
• lighting upgrades, including commercial
• motors
• hot water systems
• pre-rinse spray valves
• custom upgrades

Energex Positive Payback for the business scheme (QLD)

The Energex Positive Payback provides southeast Queensland businesses with financial support to upgrade appliances, equipment, and processes including lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, lifts and elevators, hot water and steam, motors, building management systems and power factor correction.

The Big Business Light Switch (ACT)

The ActewAGL Big Business Light Switch program assists Australian Capital Territory businesses to upgrade their lighting by switching to energy efficient LED which consume significantly less power compared to incandescent lights and have a longer life cycle.

Lighting may be free or made available at a heavily subsidized cost depending on the building type.

Retailer Energy Efficiency Scheme (SA)

Assistance for eligible South Australian households and businesses with a range of special offers and incentives to save energy. These are available from compare electricity and gas providers and their distributors.

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

It is a financial incentive for individuals and small businesses to install small-scale (eligible) renewable energy systems such as:

• solar panel systems,
• small-scale wind systems,
• small-scale hydro systems,
• solar water heaters, and
• air source heat pumps.

Owners of systems may be eligible to get either an upfront discount off the total cost of their system or they can acquire small-scale technology certificates that can be created and sold following installation to regain some of the cost.