Sustainable Household Scheme guide
How to make the most of the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme — start with a home energy assessment
Short answer: The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme offers eligible Canberra households a low-interest loan of up to $15,000 (a 3% interest rate, no upfront costs or fees) for energy-efficient upgrades, and the Home Energy Support Program adds up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible homeowners. Before you spend it, a professional home energy assessment tells you exactly which upgrades will cut your bills the most — so you fund the changes that pay back fastest, not guesswork.
What is the Sustainable Household Scheme?
The Sustainable Household Scheme is an ACT Government program that gives eligible Canberra households access to a low-interest loan of up to $15,000 at a 3% interest rate, repayable over up to 10 years, with no upfront costs or fees. It can be used for energy-efficient products such as:
- Reverse-cycle heating and cooling (heat pumps)
- Hot water heat pumps and solar hot water
- Rooftop solar and battery storage
- Ceiling insulation
- Electric stovetops
- EV charging infrastructure
The Home Energy Support Program runs alongside it, offering eligible homeowners (including concession-card holders) up to $5,000 in rebates to help with the upfront cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
Both programs are scheduled to run through 2026. Eligibility and product lists can change, so confirm current details on the ACT Government’s Everyday Climate Choices website before applying.
Why start with a home energy assessment?
The Scheme funds the products. It doesn’t tell you which products your specific home needs first. That’s where a home energy assessment comes in.
A qualified assessor evaluates where your home actually loses energy — air leaks, insulation gaps, inefficient heating and cooling, poor glazing — using tools like blower-door tests and thermal imaging. You get a clear, prioritised list of upgrades ranked by impact and payback.
Without an assessment, it’s easy to spend your loan on the wrong thing — a new heat pump in a leaky, under-insulated home still bleeds energy. With one, every dollar of your Scheme loan or rebate goes toward the upgrade that delivers the biggest comfort and bill saving.
What a Canberra home energy assessment includes
- A whole-of-home evaluation of heating, cooling, insulation, glazing and air-tightness
- Identification of where heat escapes in winter and enters in summer
- A prioritised, easy-to-read action plan matched to your budget
- Independent advice on which Scheme-eligible upgrades to fund first
- Guidance built on Passivhaus principles — the international standard for low-energy, comfortable homes
A smarter order of operations
- Book a home energy assessment — understand your home’s real weak points.
- Get your prioritised upgrade plan — ranked by bill impact and payback.
- Apply for the Sustainable Household Scheme / Home Energy Support rebate — fund the right upgrades.
- Install and enjoy — a warmer, cheaper-to-run, more comfortable home.
Home Energy Assessments & Audits Frequently asked Questions
Does the Sustainable Household Scheme pay for the energy assessment itself?
Not necessarily — the Scheme funds eligible energy-efficient products. Treat the assessment as the smart first step that makes sure you spend your loan or rebate on the right upgrades. Always check current program rules for what’s covered.
Who is eligible for the Sustainable Household Scheme?
Eligible ACT households can access the zero-interest loan; the Home Energy Support Program rebates target eligible homeowners including concession-card holders. Confirm current eligibility on the ACT Government website.
How much can I borrow or claim?
The Scheme offers a low-interest loan of up to $15,000 at a 3% interest rate, repayable over up to 10 years with no upfront costs or fees. The Home Energy Support Program offers eligible homeowners up to $5,000 in rebates toward energy-efficient upgrades.
What upgrades give the biggest savings in Canberra?
It depends on your home, but in Canberra’s cold winters, air-sealing, ceiling insulation, efficient heating, and better glazing usually deliver the largest comfort and bill improvements. An assessment confirms the right order for your house.
How long does a home energy assessment take?
Ready to spend your Scheme loan wisely?
Book a Canberra home energy assessment and get a clear plan before you apply for the Sustainable Household Scheme.