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31 January 2025
Induction cooktops, minimum co-payments, electricity emissions factor updates, and updates to existing appliance activities
The following updates have been made to activities in the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
Part 46 – Induction cooktop product application process
In October 2024, the VEU program introduced incentives for purchasing an induction cooktop. To be eligible for these incentives, the induction cooktop brand/model must be listed on the specified induction cooktop product list.
The department has now opened an induction cooktop product application process. This enables stakeholders to submit applications for the inclusion of new induction cooktops onto the eligible product list.
The department will offer 2 tranches for stakeholders to make these submissions. Once each tranche has closed, the department will assess each application and provide further information on the outcomes of the process.
The 2 tranches will accept submissions across the following dates:
- Tranche 1 – Friday 31 January 2025 to Monday 17 February 2025
- Tranche 2 – Thursday 1 May 2025 to Monday 19 May 2025
The following webpage contains all related information on the new product approval process including mandatory documentation.
VEU industry program documents
Please note that submission of a product does not mean it will receive automatic approval and inclusion on the product list. The department will review each product application and consider whether products should be added to the product list.
Your submissions will help ensure that the VEU induction cooktop activity remains up-to-date, and provides households with a greater range of options to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their emissions.
Commencement of minimum co-payments for space heating, water heating and cold room activities
In October, the department advised the introduction of minimum customer contributions for space heating, water heating and cold rooms activities.
These co-payment requirements support the effective delivery of VEU program activities through improved customer engagement and increased confidence. This is critical as the program moves away from “free products” to more complex upgrades and increases the focus on improving product quality. The minimum customer contributions for activities are:
Space heating
- $1,000 (including GST) per product for all multi-split and ducted RCACs.
- $1,000 (including GST) per product for all non-ducted RCACs over 10 kW
- $200 (including GST) per product for all non-ducted RCACs under 10 kW
Water heating
- $200 (including GST) for hot water system products
Cold rooms
- $500 (including GST) for cold room products
This requirement will take effect on from 1 February 2025.
Please see the Victorian Energy Upgrades product list for more information on individual products.
Five-year product warranty requirement for space heating and water heating activities
The department has published an updated version of the Victorian Energy Upgrades Specifications Version 19.1. Based on industry feedback, the department has expanded warranty requirements to now include “The product must be covered by a warranty against defects for a period of at least 5 years from the date of installation, purchase or supply (as applicable).”
The department would also like to advise that the five-year product warranty requirement for space heating and water heating products (up to 700 litres) will now come into effect from 31 March 2025.
Updated electricity emissions Factor from 1 February 2025
From 1 February 2025, changes to the EEF will come into effect to reflect a decline in the emissions intensity of electricity due to increased renewable energy generation.
The change reduces the EEF to 0.393 (t CO2-e/MWh). Deemed VEU activities may see a change in incentive depending on:
- the fuel source used in the baseline and upgrade activity, for example electric to electric, electric to gas
- technical assumptions which underpin the activity
- the rounding of Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs).
Indicative rebates for products eligible for a discount under the VEU program have now been updated on the department’s website to reflect this change.
Please see the Victorian Energy Upgrades products list for more information on individual products.
Specifications updates to existing appliance activities – Parts 22, 24, and 25
Following the release of the Victorian Energy Upgrades Specifications Version 19.0 to revise existing appliance activities (High efficiency refrigerators and freezers, televisions and clothes dryers), the department’s webpages for these activities have now been updated.
Please see the Victorian Energy Upgrades high efficiency refrigerator and freezer discounts, television discounts and clothes dryer discounts webpages for more information.
Industry market update and work program
The Victorian Energy Upgrades workplan illustrating projects planned for the 2025 calendar year has been updated on the department’s webpage. Please see the Industry market update and work program page for more information.
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Page last updated: 21/04/25