Sustainability rebates

Accelerating the uptake of a clean energy future in North Sydney

Sustainability rebates support properties in North Sydney to implement energy and water saving initiatives for households, strata and businesses.

Community rebates are designed to overcome barriers such as cost and dwelling type, with stronger incentives for those with larger upfront costs such as apartment complexes and businesses.

There are fourteen rebates that can be applied for as part of the program up to the value of $5,000.

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Application Process
 

1. Check the eligibility criteria

Review the Eligibility Criteria for your chosen rebate item. To be eligible to receive a sustainability rebate, your Sustainable Product must have been installed or undertaken 12 months from the date listed on your final invoice. See the Sustainability Rebates Guidelines for full terms and conditions.

2. Purchase your sustainable product

Purchase your Sustainable Product from your chosen provider or installer. Ensure that your purchase meets the Eligibility Criteria for your chosen rebate item.

3. Submit an application form

Submit a Rebately Application Form and attach a recent electricity bill, a photo of your sustainable product (if applicable) and a copy of the invoice from your Sustainable Product provider. Click Apply Now to submit an application form.

4. Receive your sustainability rebate

If your form is approved by Council, you will receive your Sustainability Rebate via electronic bank transfer from Rebately. Be sure to check your junk mailbox for your rebate approval email.

Current rebates

  • Rooftop solar
    • Household: 20% up to $1,000
    • Apartment block: 20% up to $5,000
    • Business: 20% up to $2,000

    Overview

    Take control of your energy costs and say goodbye to rising electricity prices.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney local government area
    • Must be installed by a Clean Energy Council or New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Accredited Installer
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
    • Applicants who have participated in the NSW Government's Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) grant program are not eligible for a Council rebate
  • Rooftop solar health check
    • Household: 50% up to $100
    • Apartment Block: 50% up to $200
    • Business: 50% up to $200

    Overview

    Ensure your system is operating at the optimum level, and that you are maximizing the return on your investment. Simply cleaning the panels can increase system performance by up to 10%. 

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be completed by a licensed electrician
    • Provided within the past 12 months
  • Home battery
    • Household: 10% up to $2,000
    • Apartment Block: 20% up to $5,000
    • Business: 20% up to $5,000

    Overview

    Solar batteries capture the excess electricity from your solar panels for use when you need it most.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be installed by a Clean Energy Council or New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Accredited Installer
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Applicants who have participated in the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries program are not eligible for this Council rebate

    This rebate is not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes.

  • Electric vehicle charger
    • Household: 25% up to $250
    • Apartment Block: 25% up to $5,000
    •  Business: 25% up to $1,000

    Overview

    Charge from home and future proof your property! Live in an apartment? Check out this great Electric Vehicles in Apartments guide from the NSW Government.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be an electric vehicle charger (or electric vehicle infrastructure in apartment blocks)
    • Must be installed by a licenced electrician
    • Installed within the past 12 months

    This rebate is not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes.

  • Hot water heat pumps
    • Household: 50% up to $500
    • Apartment Block: 25% up to $5,000
    • Business: 25% up to $1,000         

    Overview     

    Heat pumps use between 55 to 80% less energy than standard electric storage or gas hot water systems.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be a Clean Energy Council Accredited electric heat pump
    • Excludes swimming pool heat pumps
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
    • The new system must replace gas storage or standalone instantaneous gas system only

    This rebate cannot be claimed towards replacement of existing heat pump or solar hot water system.

  • Reverse cycle air conditioners for heating
    • Household: 30% up to $500
    • Apartment unit: 30% up to $500
    • Business: 30% up to $1,000

    Overview

    Reverse-cycle air conditioners are the most energy-efficient heating system on the market. 

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
    • The new system must replace a gas heating appliance
    • Cannot be claimed towards replacement of an existing reverse cycle air conditioning system
  • Induction cook top
    • Household: 25% up to $250

    Overview

    Induction cooktops are cleaner, healthier and easier to clean!

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must replace a gas cooktop only
    • Must be installed by a licenced electrician
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
  • Insulation
    • Household: 25% up to $500
    • Apartment block: 25% up to $2,000
    • Business: 25% up to $1,000

    Overview

    Insulation reduces the flow of heat into your home in summer and out of your home in winter.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be installed by a professional installer
    • Ceiling insulation must have a minimum R value of 3.5
    • Sub-floor insulation must have a minimum R value of 1.4
    • Wall insulation must have a minimum R value of 2.5
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
  • Rainwater tanks
    • Household: 25% up to $250
    • Apartment Block: 25% up to $2,000
    • Business: 25% up to $1,000

    Overview

    Rainwater tanks capture excess water from your roof. This can be used in your garden areas to reduce the use of water from the main water supply. See Sydney Water's rainwater tanks page for more information.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Minimum capacity of 1,000 litres
    • Must be installed by a licensed plumber
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
  • Waterfix program
    • Household: 25% up to $250
    • Apartment Block: 25% up to $2,000
    • Business: 25% up to $2,000

    Overview

    WaterFix® Residential is an initiative of Sydney Water to provide free or subsidised replacements of inefficient taps, showerheads, toilets, aerators and leak repairs. Visit WaterFix® Residential or call 1800 807 475 for more information or to make an appointment.

    WaterFix® Strata delivers large scale, cost-effective water savings to inefficient residential strata-managed buildings. Over 87% of water use in apartment buildings occurs within each apartment, mostly from showers. Strata buildings in the program have achieved water savings of up to 30%. Visit WaterFix® Strata or call 1800 354 107 for more information or to make an appointment.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney Local Government Area
    • Must be completed by a Sydney Water WaterFix® plumber
    • Completed within the past 12 months
  • Lighting
    • Household: 25% up to $250
    • Apartment block: 25% up to $5,000
    • Business: 25% up to $1,000

    Overview

    Replacing old lights with efficient LEDs is one of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing energy use.

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney local government area
    • Must replace either halogen, fluorescent or incandescent lights
    • Must be installed by a licenced electrician
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
    • All apartment block lighting must include smart controls to be eligible
  • Pool Pump
    • Household: 25% up to $500
    • Apartment Block: 50% up to $250
    • Business: 50% up to $250

    Overview

    Switching to an energy efficient pool pump will help reduce your household energy use and your power bills.  

    Eligibility criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney local government area
    • New pool pumps (and controllers) must have a minimum 7 Energy Star Rating (find your rating)
    • Must be installed by a licenced professional for swimming pool filtration only
    • Installed within the past 12 months
    • Not required for BASIX or Development Application Compliance purposes
  • Switchboard and meterboard upgrade for EV charging and solar PV

    Apartment block: 25% up to $5,000

    Criteria:

    • Not available for a building that has more than 20 or more units
    • Only available for ceramic fuse replacement with Residual Current Devices (RCDs). This must be a line item listed in invoice.
    • Will not include any costs for asbestos, increased electrical capacity, solar metering or smart meter upgrade
    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney local government area
    • Must be installed by a licensed electrician
  • Windows
    • Home: 50% of cost up to $500
    • Apartment block: 50% of cost up to $5,000

    Criteria

    • Only available for properties in the North Sydney local government area
    • Not available for a building that has more than 20 or more units
    • Retrofits: Secondary glaze, external shutters or shading device only
    • Replacements: New windows must have a minimum combined heating and cooling WERS rating of 4 stars
Coal Loader solar panels

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