– AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY –
The Home Energy Support Program: Explained
Upgrade your home’s energy efficiency with upfront rebates and zero-interest loans designed specifically for eligible ACT households.
The ACT Home Energy Support Program is a territory-funded initiative designed to help lower-income homeowners overcome the upfront financial barriers of transitioning to clean energy.
Administered by the ACT Government, this highly generous scheme provides eligible concession card holders with substantial rebates to install rooftop solar panels and other energy-efficient home upgrades.
When combined with the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme’s zero-interest loans, this program ensures that upgrading your home with a premium system from SAE Group is both highly affordable and immediately beneficial for your household budget.
How it Works:
The ACT Government partners with Brighte to administer the finance and rebate applications. You don’t need to save up to pay full price first; the rebate is applied to reduce the total cost of your installation.
When you choose SAE for your solar or battery project, we will apply the Federal STC discount directly to your initial quote. If you choose to utilise the ACT program, we then initiate the application on your behalf through Brighte’s portal.
Once approved, the $2,500 state rebate is deducted, and you can opt to cover the remaining balance with the 10-year, 0% interest loan. You simply make low, manageable fortnightly repayments while enjoying your new, lower electricity bills.
The Benefits of the Home Energy Support Program:
-
Massive Cash Rebates
Access up to $5,000 in total rebates to significantly reduce the cost of solar, battery storage and other eligible home energy upgrades. -
Zero-Interest Finance
Need help paying the remaining balance? Eligible households can also access a 0% interest loan of up to $10,000 to cover out-of-pocket costs.
-
Fully Stackable
This rebate seamlessly combines with federal incentives, like the STC solar discount or the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. It's the most lucrative subsidy stacks in the country. -
Immediate Bill Relief
Dramatically reduce your ongoing reliance on the grid and slash your quarterly electricity bills by generating your own clean power.
What the Incentive Gives You & How Much You Can Save
The Home Energy Support Program provides a total maximum rebate of $5,000, which is split across two main categories of home upgrades:
Category A
(Rooftop Solar)
Receive a rebate of 50% of the total installation price for a new rooftop solar PV system, capped at a maximum of $2,500.
Category B
(Energy Efficient Upgrades)
Receive an additional rebate of 50% of the installation price, up to $2,500, for eligible energy upgrades.
0% Finance
(Zero Interest Loans)
On top of the $5,000 in rebates, you can access an interest-free loan of up to $10,000 (repayable over up to 10 years).
Fully Stackable
(The Ultimate Saving)
Combining the ACT’s $2,500 solar rebate with the federal STC discount, can save over $4,600 off upfront costs.
Eligibility: Who Can Claim the ACT Program?
To access the Home Energy Support Program rebates and loans, you must meet the ACT Government’s specific eligibility criteria:
- Property Type:
You must own and occupy the property in the ACT where the system will be installed. - Concession Status:
You must hold a valid Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card, a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, or a Health Care Card. - Workshop Requirement:
You must attend a free Home Energy Support workshop delivered by the ACT Government before applying. - Approved Installer:
You must use an approved, accredited supplier who is registered with the scheme. (SAE Group is fully accredited to provide these installations).
Note: If you do not hold a concession card, you cannot claim the $5,000 rebate, but you can still access up to $15,000 in zero-interest loans under the broader ACT Sustainable Household Scheme.
Are You Eligible?
If you are an ACT resident, own your home, and hold an eligible government concession card, you meet the primary criteria.
During your free energy consultation, the team at SAE Group will confirm your eligibility and help guide you toward the mandatory ACT Government workshop so you can secure your funding.
How to Apply
We take the stress out of navigating government portals and finance applications.
- Attend a Workshop:
Register and attend the ACT Government’s free Home Energy Support workshop online or in person. - Get an Approved Quote:
Reach out to SAE Group. As an approved supplier, we will design a custom solar package that meets all scheme requirements and includes your federal discounts. - Apply for Funding:
Let us know you want to use the Home Energy Support Program. We will trigger the application via Brighte on your behalf. Brighte will then contact you to finalise the rebate and set up your optional zero-interest loan. - Install and Save:
Once your funding is approved, our accredited technicians will complete your installation. Brighte settles the invoice directly with us, and you enjoy immediate energy savings.
Why Signing Up Sooner Maximises Your Savings
Government-funded initiatives operate on fixed budget allocations and are subject to periodic review.
While the ACT Home Energy Support Program is currently available, the federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) – which stack with your ACT rebate to maximise your total upfront savings – automatically reduce in value on 1 January every year.
Furthermore, every billing cycle you wait is another quarter you are forced to pay premium grid electricity prices. By acting now and stacking this ACT scheme with your federal discounts, you can drastically reduce your out-of-pocket expenses and let your new solar savings pay off the system for you.
By upgrading your home sooner, you can lock in the highest available federal incentive while the ACT rebate remains available, helping to maximise your total savings on solar, battery storage and other eligible home energy improvements.