Rebate guide — New South Wales
NSW Home Energy Saver: zero-interest loans up to $15,000 for home upgrades
NSW Home Energy Saver is a new zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 for solar, batteries, heat pumps and other home upgrades, open now for owner-occupiers and landlords earning up to $210,000. A separate discount of up to $4,000 for lower-income households is coming soon. It is separate from the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS).
Last updated: 11 July 2026
What is the NSW Home Energy Saver program?
Home Energy Saver launched on 17 June 2026 as part of the NSW Government's Consumer Energy Strategy, run by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). It gives NSW households access to finance for a defined list of home energy upgrades, rather than an upfront, point-of-sale discount.
It is a different program from the NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) — the two are easy to confuse. ESS applies a discount directly to an installer's quote for hot water, air conditioning and VPP upgrades. Home Energy Saver is a loan (and, soon, a separate discount) covering a broader list of upgrades, delivered through dedicated finance providers rather than accredited certificate providers. In fact, as explained below, the two are designed to stack. Full program details are on the official NSW Government page.
How much can I borrow, and who is eligible?
The loan is open now, with no closing date currently stated. Key terms:
- Zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 per property.
- Repaid over a 10-year term.
- The dwelling must be in NSW, and the applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Combined taxable household income up to $210,000 a year.
- Available to both owner-occupiers and landlords. A landlord must confirm their tenant consents to the works, and a strata property needs owners corporation consent.
- Not available for social or community housing, short-stay rentals, or a property that has already reached the $15,000 loan cap.
What about the $4,000 discount?
Coming soon — not yet open. A separate discount of up to $4,000 has been announced alongside the loan, but the program guidelines have not yet been published and it was not open for applications at the time of writing. When it opens, the announced eligibility is:
- Household income up to $80,000 a year, or holding an eligible concession card.
- Available to both homeowners and renters — renters will need their landlord's permission.
Which upgrades are eligible?
The loan guidelines list the following eligible upgrades:
- Rooftop solar
- Home battery
- Heat pump water heater
- Electric-boosted solar hot water
- Reverse-cycle air conditioner
- Ceiling insulation
- Double-glazed windows or doors
- Induction cooktop (replacing gas)
- EV Level 2 charger
- Draught-proofing
- Ceiling fans
- Switchboard upgrade
- A NatHERS home energy assessment
Should I get a home energy assessment first?
A NatHERS home energy assessment is one of the twelve upgrade types the loan can fund, and it is also an optional step in the application itself. That makes it a practical starting point: an assessment tells you which of the eligible upgrades your particular home actually needs — insulation, hot water, heating and cooling, or something else — before you commit to borrowing $15,000. It is not a requirement to apply, but it is a fundable way to spend part of the loan finding out where the rest should go.
How does the application process work?
- Get a quote from a NETCC-approved supplier for an eligible upgrade.
- The supplier refers your application to the relevant finance provider — loans are delivered by Brighte or Plenti, and the discount (once open) will be delivered by Creditex.
- Your loan agreement is with the finance provider, not the NSW Government.
- Once approved, the supplier installs the upgrade and the finance provider settles payment.
- A mandatory electrical safety inspection by a licensed electrician precedes most upgrades — every eligible upgrade except double glazing, external shading and draught-proofing.
Can I combine this with other NSW incentives?
Yes — Home Energy Saver is designed to stack with other NSW incentives. Any Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) or federal small-scale technology certificate (SRES) incentive must be applied to your quote first, and the Home Energy Saver loan then covers the remaining cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get through Home Energy Saver?
The zero-interest loan covers up to $15,000 per property, repaid over up to 10 years with no interest charged, and is open now. A separate discount of up to $4,000 is planned for lower-income households but had not opened at the time of writing, so the loan is currently the only pathway you can apply for.
Do I need a home energy assessment to apply?
No — a NatHERS home energy assessment is an optional step, not a prerequisite. It is also one of the funded upgrade types itself, and getting one first tells you which of the other eligible upgrades will actually make a difference in your home before you commit to a loan.
Can renters access Home Energy Saver?
Not the loan directly — it is taken out by the property owner. The upcoming discount of up to $4,000 is aimed at households on a low income or holding an eligible concession card, including renters, but any upgrade to a rental still needs the landlord's consent.
Can landlords apply for the loan?
Yes. Landlords are eligible on the same terms as owner-occupiers — combined taxable household income up to $210,000 — but must confirm their tenant consents to the works, and strata properties also need owners corporation consent.
Can I combine Home Energy Saver with other NSW incentives?
Yes, and the order matters: any Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) or federal small-scale technology certificate (SRES) incentive must be applied to your quote first, and the Home Energy Saver loan then covers what is left.
Is there a closing date for Home Energy Saver?
None has been published for the loan as at this writing — it is open with no stated closing date. Because rebate programs can change funding caps or close without much notice, check the official NSW Government page before you apply.
Related rebate guides
Not sure which of the twelve upgrades your home needs?
A $15,000 loan is only good value if it funds the right work. A home energy assessment — itself fundable through Home Energy Saver — shows where your home loses energy, so you borrow for upgrades that genuinely cut your bills.