About the hot water rebate
The Solar Homes Program is supporting Victorian households to install a replacement hot water system, by providing a rebate of up to $1,000.
The discount applies to all solar hot water systems that meet safety and quality standards. The solar hot water rebate is not available to new build homes and the system being replaced must be at least three years old.
The rebate amount will be paid directly to your solar provider and will be deducted from the total cost of your solar hot water system, with you paying the outstanding balance directly to your provider once installed.
If the installation is an emergency installation, the rebate is provided to you by Solar Victoria.
Eligible households can apply to receive both a hot water rebate and a solar PV rebate to save even more on energy bills. Visit solar.vic.gov.au
It's important to keep in touch with Solar Vic so your rebate can be processed as quickly as possible.
Solar Victoria Solar hot water rebate webpage with more details
Solar Victoria number to call 1300 376 393
Am I eligible for the hot water rebate?
The following criteria as provided by Solar Victoria:
- you are the owner-occupier of an existing property where the system is to be installed
- the combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $210,000 per year
- the property is valued at under $3 million
- the property address has not previously received a hot water rebate or a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
- the hot water system to be replaced is at least three years old from the date of purchase.
- Householders cannot receive the same Solar Homes rebate more than once. For example, if a householder has previously received a hot water rebate, they cannot receive another hot water rebate for the same property.
Once you're confident that you and your property meet the eligibility criteria, you can start the application process.
Process for applying for the rebate
Step 1: Obtain a quote
Contact Pure Electric who is an authorised hot water retailer for your hot water installation. Advise us you intend to apply for the hot water rebate.
Once you have researched and identified the provider you want to use, contact them to obtain a quote. Advise your retailer that you intend to apply for the Solar Homes rebate.
Obtaining a quote is necessary to apply for an eligibility number, which your installer will use to confirm that they can go ahead with your installation.
Solar Victoria does not recommend signing a quote acceptance or paying a deposit prior to receiving your rebate eligibility confirmation. As a minimum you should confirm with your retailer that any deposit is fully refundable.
Please note that the hot water rebate requires the installation of an approved product from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) Register of approved products and the Victorian
Essential Services Commission (ESC) Registered Products list.
For a list of approved products, visit www.solar.vic.gov.au/approved - Pure Electric only use approved products.
Step 2: Apply for the rebate
Once Pure Electric submit your Solar Victoria hot water rebate, you can apply for the rebate through the hot water rebate portal here -> https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/solar-rebates/home
Application for the rebate depends on whether you are a New or Existing Solar Victoria customer.
2.1. New Solar Vic Customers
As a new Solar Victoria customer, you will need to provide the following to complete your application:
- the quote number from Pure Electric
- Two forms of ID. These can be a:
- Driver’s licence or a learner permit
- Medicare card
- Australian passport
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Foreign passport. This should be a foreign passport with a valid Australian Visa.
- Immicard;
- Proof of income - if there is more than one owner of the property, we require proof of income for all listed owners. If there is more than one listed owner, you will need to provide proof of income documents for each person from the same financial year.
Depending on your financial situation, see options for proof of income documents here.
2.2. Existing Customers
If you have already received a solar (PV) rebate, as an existing Solar Victoria customer, you will only need to provide the following:
- your quote number from an authorised hot water retailer
- Two forms of ID. These can be a:
- Driver’s licence or learner permit
- Medicare card
- Australian passport
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Foreign passport. This should be a foreign passport with a valid Australian Visa.
- Immicard
For the application, make sure the names on both documents are the same. You can find out more about your Australian citizenship by visiting the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (citizenship website).
Once you’ve submitted your application you’ll automatically receive an email to confirm we received your application. If we have all the information we need, your eligibility will be confirmed immediately. If not, we’ll need to review some of the details or ask for additional information.
Step 3 Get the system installed
3.1. Non-Emergency Situation
Once you have received confirmation of approval by Solar Victoria, you will able to arrange the installation of the system with Pure Electric.
Please forward your QR code via the URL link that we provide as part of your application process. Our installation team will scan the QR code - this is a requirement for you to receive the rebate.
Pure Electric (the "hot water retailer") will upload the proof of installation documents via the secure link after completing the installation process. The retailer will then be directly paid
the rebate amount.
The hot water rebate will be paid directly to your retailer and deducted from your invoice – ensuring you only pay any outstanding balance once the system is installed. This is for situations where the installation is not an emergency installation.
Please note: The hot water rebate is calculated after any other discounts have been applied (including STC and VEEC) and is a 50% rebate on the purchase price of the system up to the value of $1000.
3.2. Emergency Situation
In the case of an emergency hot water system installation, customers do not have to wait to have their eligibility approved before having their replacement system installed. This ensures customers can maintain access to hot water.
There are specific criteria that determine whether a hot water system has been installed in an emergency due to a broken down or unsafe existing hot water system. Customers must submit their eligibility application as soon as possible following the emergency installation and be prepared that they may not receive a rebate if they do not meet eligibility criteria.
Step 1 - Emergency installation
Contact your authorised retailer to arrange an emergency solar hot water or heat pump installation due to a broken down or unsafe existing water heater.
You should advise Pure Electric that you intend to apply for the hot water rebate and that the program requires the product installed must be on the hot water product list. Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria, otherwise you will be ineligible for a rebate.
The hot water system is installed.
Step 2 - Apply for your rebate
You will need to apply for the rebate through the Hot Water Rebate Portal, please see above with links. You will need to check the box for emergency installations when you enter your quote details as shown in the image below.
Step 4 - Beyond Hot Water, Your Efficient Electric Home powered by solar, not gas
If you are also interested in receiving additional Solar Vic rebates/incentives for other products such as the Solar PV Rebate, Solar PV Loan, Solar Battery Loan (Interest Free Finance) - please get in touch with one of our friendly team.
We've got more information on the overall Solar Victoria Solar Homes Program on our website here.
