Yarra Home Energy Upgrades

In previous rounds, funding could be used to install:

• solar
• reverse cycle heating and cooling
• ceiling insulation
• draught proofing to seal gaps and cracks
• heat pump hot water systems  

In some cases, other upgrades were recommended, such as ceiling fans or window blinds. 

Eligible households could use the subsidy to choose more than one energy upgrade, up to the total subsidy amount. 

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interest for previous rounds were accepted during the recruitment period. Expressions of interest could be completed online, through a printable form, by calling Yarra Council, visiting a customer service centre, or through an interpreter.

Participants selected 

Expressions of interest were evaluated to select participants in higher levels of need. Participants were eligible for a subsidy of between $2,000 and $3,000. 

Home visit, recommendations and quotes

A Home Energy Assessor visited participants' homes for an energy assessment to recommend the best upgrades for each home. 

The home energy assessment included recommendations and quotes. These were tailored to each participant's home and preferences. Our project partner supported participants with answers to questions and discussing options. 

Choose and install upgrades

Participants chose upgrades to use the subsidy for and got any necessary permissions from landlords or owners' corporations, if needed.

Upgrades were installed by licensed tradespeople, before 30 June in the program year.

Where participants selected upgrades requiring a co-payment, they paid this to the supplier. 

Follow up

Our project partner followed up to make sure everything went smoothly and answer any questions.

We asked participants to complete a survey to help us learn from the program. 

 

In previous rounds, expressions of interest were evaluated to select participants in higher levels of need. Participants were eligible for a subsidy of between $2,000 and $3,000. 

In some cases, 100% of the upgrade cost could be covered by the subsidy and other available rebates. Our project partner and the program suppliers helped participants apply for Victorian Government rebates you may be eligible for. 

Our program suppliers provided no-obligation quotes for upgrades. These showed which upgrades could be installed at no cost to the participant. If there was a cost to the participant, this was clearly shown. Participants could choose to go ahead if they wished.  

In some cases, additional installation costs apply. For example, for larger systems, more difficult access, or if the electrical switchboard or wiring needs to be upgraded. These were shown on quotes.

The Victorian Government also offers no-interest loans of up to $1,400 for solar. Find out more about no-interest loans. 
 

In previous rounds, renters, community housing residents and people living in apartments were eligible to apply, with an eligible concession card.  

In previous rounds, public housing owned by the Victorian Government was not eligible for this program.

Renters and community housing residents need approval from their landlord or community housing organisation for upgrades to be installed. 

For apartment buildings and townhouses, energy upgrades can be limited. Some energy upgrades require owners’ corporation approval. These upgrades could be installed if owners' corporation approval could be granted in the program timeframes. Some products cannot be installed in some building types.

In previous rounds, Yarra residents living in a heritage overlay were eligible to apply, with an eligible concession card.

If your home is in a heritage overlay, most energy upgrade types can be installed in the same way as in another home.

Some upgrades, such as solar, may require a planning permit if visible from the street, or may not be possible through the program. 

Our project team helped participants with questions about the planning permit application process.

There is no fee for a planning permit for solar in the heritage overlay. If your solar will not be visible from the street or a public park, you do not need a planning permit.

A small number of properties have additional heritage controls. In previous rounds, properties listed on the Victorian Heritage Register were not eligible for this program due to these additional controls, set by the Victorian Government. 

Find out more about solar in a heritage overlay. 

You may be eligible for other Federal or Victorian Government rebates. 

Solar rebates

The Victorian Government offers rebates of up to $1,400 through Solar Victoria to eligible households, including for rental properties. No-interest loans of up to $1,400 are also available. 

You'll automatically receive STCs (small scale technology certificates, a Federal Government rebate) as a discount shown on your quote.

Heat pump hot water system rebates

Eligible households can receive a Solar Victoria of up to $1,000. Discounts of between $490 and $840 are available from the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, to households who make a $200 contribution to the cost.  

Reverse cycle heating and cooling rebates 

The Victorian Energy Upgrades program provides discounts for installation of reverse cycle air conditioners, to households who make a $200 contribution to the cost. The amount depends on what type of heating you are replacing, if any. 

Draught proofing rebates

Victorian Energy Upgrades rebates are available for draught proofing to seal up gaps and cracks, using our accredited installers. You'll see this as a discount on your quote.

Rebate amounts depend on what is installed. Indicative rebates are between $350 and $700 for a house, between $280 and $560 for a townhouse, and $70 and $140 for an apartment.

Yes. In previous rounds, interpreter and translation support was available throughout the program. 

Yes, in previous rounds a paper application form was available. 

In previous rounds, information about the program was available in other languages. Information will be available in other languages for any future rounds. 

Yarra Council has committed to urgent action on climate change through its second Climate Emergency Plan [ PDF, 9.51 MB] , 2024-2030, and its Climate Emergency Action Plan 2024-2027 [ PDF, 2.72 MB] .

This program is part of our commitment to support households facing higher risk from climate impacts to make their homes more comfortable in hot and cold weather, improve energy efficiency, electrify, and power their homes with renewable energy. 

This includes a commitment to support people living on low incomes, people with additional heatwave-related risk factors, renters, and apartment residents to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a zero emissions city powered by 100% renewable energy. 

The Yarra Home Energy Upgrades and Climate Safe Rooms pilot programs provided 54 at-risk households with 174 energy upgrade activities in 2024-25. 

Read the Climate Safe Rooms and Yarra Home Energy Upgrades Pilot Programs 2024-25 Report [ PDF, 5.86 MB] .