Cheaper Energy Bills For Victorian Housing Tenants
Thousands of renters in social housing will save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills with help from the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments to get free energy efficiency upgrades, and modern electric appliances.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing today announced $51.4 million in joint funding from the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments towards the Energy Efficiency Social Housing Program (EESHP).
The additional funding means that 6,000 social housing homes will get free additional upgrades, increasing the total number to 11,000 under the joint Commonwealth-State program, including 5,000 that can go fully electric, slashing bills for those who need it.
The program will deliver a range of upgrades, including things like hot water heat pumps, ceiling insulation, and draught and gap sealing, on top of highly efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners for heating and cooling.
These upgrades will make homes warmer in winter, cooler in summer and require less energy and cleaner energy – significantly reducing energy bills and improving the comfort and livability of these homes.
Renters that upgrade their hot water from gas to a heat pump can save $330 a year, those that upgrade ceiling insulation and draught sealing can save $110 per year, and homes that take up all upgrades and go all-electric can save an estimated $1,130 each year.
This funding builds on the $158 million already invested by the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments to make sure social housing tenants have access to cheaper energy bills and comfortable homes.
Also announced today, the Albanese Labor Government will invest an additional $120.3 million over 4 years for Victoria as part of the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiatives (SHEPI). This will be delivered through Victoria’s EESHP program, to upgrade and install solar and batteries at over 8,000 public and community housing properties.
For more information visit, homes.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-social-housing-program.
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’re helping more social housing renters get modern, electric, cleaner energy efficient appliances that will save them hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.”
As stated by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing
“These energy efficiency upgrades are another way we’re helping social housing residents to reduce their power bills, and as gas prices continue to rise, making all new social homes fully electric will make a real and positive difference.”
As stated by Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward
“This is a great way to for social housing renters in Broadmeadows to cut their energy costs and make improvements to their home to make them more comfortable.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/250408-Cheaper-Energy-Bills-For-Victorian-Housing-Tenants.pdf