This scheme provides zero-interest loans to help with the costs of energy-efficient upgrades.

If you're eligible, you can get a loan from $2,000 to $15,000 to buy energy-efficient products. These include:

• rooftop solar panels (restricted eligibility)
• household battery storage systems
• electric heating and cooling systems
• hot water heat pumps (HWHP)
• electric stove tops
• electric vehicles (cars)
• electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• ceiling insulation
• installation costs for these products.

Brighte is the ACT Government's partner and loan provider for the scheme.

Over the life of the scheme, you can install one product or a bundle of products from the list of eligible products. Together, these can be valued at up to $15,000.

You may borrow more than $15,000 depending on your loan application credit check. The loan provider may charge interest on funds borrowed above the limit.

Your repayments will begin when you either:

• install the product or system and it is operational
• buy the electric vehicle.

Who can take part

Households

It's open to residents of the ACT who either own a home or hold a current driving licence (when applying for a loan for an electric vehicle).

You must meet the scheme's eligibility criteria (outlined in the Scheme Guidelines) and Brighte's lending criteria. This includes attending a free one hour live workshop. These workshops will help you with your energy efficiency choices. You have the option of attending a workshop online or in person.

To check if you're eligible, read:

• Terms and Conditions
• Guidelines
• Frequently asked questions

Community groups

Eligible groups can get a loan from $2,000 to $15,000 to buy energy-efficient products.

A group must meet the Scheme's eligibility criteria and Brighte's lending criteria. This includes attending a free one hour live workshop or participating in the Business Energy and Water program. You have the option of attending a workshop online or in person. These resources will help you with your energy efficiency choices.

Important: Before applying for a loan, you will need to check if you need to obtain relevant approvals. Check the FAQs for more details.

To check if your group is eligible, read:

• Terms and Conditions
• Guidelines
• Frequently asked questions

Cost

No establishment fees or account-keeping costs.

You can repay the loan early with no penalty fee. But if you fall behind in your loan repayments, the loan provider may charge a fee.

You must meet standard credit criteria for the loan. This includes a good credit history and the ability to repay the loan without hardship.

If you can't repay the loan, the loan provider will have hardship support to help you.

The loan provider must follow the responsible lending practices in the National Consumer Protection Credit Act 2009.

To assist with reducing the loan size, Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders and Health Care Card may also be eligible for rebates on rooftop solar installation and other energy efficient products as part of the Home Energy Support program. Eligible households who are approved for one or more Home Energy Support rebates can also receive up to $10,000 in a zero interest loan.

This means that the total support available from the ACT Government is $15,000 per eligible household, either through $15,000 in zero interest loans only or through $10,000 in zero interest loans and $5,000 in rebates.

Eligibility

Stand-alone homes (Non-unit titled properties)

• Homes with an unimproved value (UV) at or below $750,000 in 2022 are eligible for all products in the scheme, except solar.
• To be eligible for solar through the scheme the UV of your property in 2022 must be at or below $450,000.

Unit titled properties

• Units with an unimproved value at or below $300,000 in 2022 will be eligible for all products in the scheme.
• The Scheme Guidelines provide more detail on eligibility

Home Energy Support Program (HESP)

• The Health Care Card has been added as an eligible concession card.
• Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and now Health Care Card holders can access a 50% rebate up to $2,500 to install rooftop solar, and an additional 50% rebate up to $2,500 to install energy efficient products. This can be combined with a loan of up to $10,000.
• UV eligibility thresholds for both HESP categories A and B, is at or below $750,000 (non-unit) and $300,000 (units) in 2022.

To be eligible for solar through the scheme from 1 July 2023 you must either:

• have a UV at or below $450,000 (non-unit) in 2022 to access the SHS,

OR

• be a Pensioner Concession Card holder, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holder or a Health Care Card holder with a UV at or below $750,000 (non-unit) to access the Home Energy Support Program.

Not-for-profit community groups

Not-for-profit community groups located in the ACT who are active and registered on one of the following registers are eligible to apply:

• ACT incorporated associations public register
• Australian charity and not-for-profit commission register

In addition to the registration criteria, a community organisation must also:

• Meet the following criteria: 
  • be a not-for-profit community group that operates in the ACT as evidenced by a utility bill or lease agreement
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) 
  • be represented by the chief executive, or another representative appointed by the group’s board
  • have an incorporated legal structure (e.g., an incorporated association, a company limited by guarantee that is registered under the Corporations Act 2001, an incorporated indigenous corporation or an incorporated non-distributing co-operative)
  • be prepared to enter into a financial contract with the Scheme’s loan provider y purchase products for installation on the group’s premises within the ACT 
  • participate in either: 
    • An Climate Choices workshop1 or,
    • The Business Energy and Water Program to undertake a free energy assessment. This program provides rebates of up to $5,000 for eligible small to medium businesses to upgrade to water-efficient and energy-efficient technologies.
• Have relevant approvals in place before applying for a loan: It is the responsibility of the Scheme participant to ensure landlord permissions, land use, building, development and other relevant approvals are obtained before applying for a loan. In addition to participation in the Scheme, the Organisation agrees to participate in promotional opportunities for the Scheme such as good news stories and case studies.

Individual applicant eligibility

A Scheme participant for Category A, B and D (see guidelines for more information) is defined as: 

• a person who owns the property in which the installation is to occur; or 
• living with the person who owns the property in which the installation is to occur.

A Scheme participant for Category C is defined as: 

• a holder of a valid ACT Driver Licence; and 
• a homeowner or tenant.

• Phone: 13 22 81
• Email: SHS@act.gov.au