Canberra’s electrification: a just transition
The ACT Government is aiming to electrify all feasible public and community housing by 2030. The Government is also providing support to other low-income households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and replace gas appliances with electric.
What is a “just transition”?
The ACT Government has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2045. This involves electrifying our city and moving away from the use of fossil fuel gas.
Over time, all Canberra households will need to replace gas appliances with electric. Some Canberrans, such as those on a low-income, will find this harder than others. This includes:
- low-income households
- renters
- people living in public and community housing
- elderly people
- sole parents
- people with disabilities and illness
A just transition means providing extra support to those who need it most.
Why it’s important
All Canberrans deserve to live in healthy, energy affordable homes.
Often, people who are least able to afford to pay for energy live in homes that are the most expensive to heat and cool. This can impact their health, comfort, and happiness at home.
We need to support low-income Canberrans to ensure everyone benefits from electrification.
What we are doing
The ACT Government is supporting low-income households, including homeowners, renters and people in social housing, to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and replace gas appliances with electric.
Homeowners
Home Energy Support Program: Rebates for Homeowners
The Home Energy Support Program offers rebates for homeowners to install energy-efficient products.
To be eligible, you must hold an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, or an Australian Government Health Care Card.
Participants can access up to $5,000 in rebates to install electric appliances, rooftop solar, and ceiling insulation.
To help with the remaining costs, eligible participants can combine rebates with a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000.
Access to Electric Program
The ACT Government has committed $5.2 million for a pilot to cover up front costs of electrification for homeowners that most need support.
This will be a two-year program commencing in 2024-25. The ACT Government is working with Care to identify the households who are experiencing significant financial hardship to participate in this program.
Learn more about the Access to Electric Program.
Renters
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for Rental Homes
The ACT Government has introduced a minimum standard for insulation in rental properties. Under the regulation, rental properties must have adequate ceiling insulation.
Rental providers can access a low-interest loan of up to $15,000 to make these insulation upgrades.
Private landlords who offer affordable community housing may also be eligible for rebates of up to $2,500.
Renters Home Energy Program
The Renters Home Energy Program offers free home energy assessments for renters.
Social housing
The ACT Government has made a commitment to electrifying all feasible social housing properties by 2030. The ACT Government has committed $47 million to electrify community and public housing properties and to ensure these properties have appropriate ceiling insulation that meets the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for rental homes.
These programs have been assisted by Australian Government funding of $20.1 million through the >Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative.
Works funded by these initiatives include:
- ceiling insulation upgrades
- gas to electric appliance upgrades
- rooftop solar panels and batteries
Contact Us
Email: homeenergysupport@act.gov.au
Phone: 1300 141 777
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.