Overview

The Living Victoria Water Rebate Program replaces the Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme. The rebate program helps Victorian households with the costs of purchasing water and energy saving products such as washing machines, pool covers, dual-flush toilets, rainwater tanks, hot water re-circulators, greywater systems, composting bins and garden tap timers.

Rebates are available for all Victorian residential households regardless of whether they are on tank water or reticulated (mains) water.

Small businesses can now also apply for a rebate for a range of water-efficient products.

Key eligibility

To be eligible for the rebates, you must:

• purchase and install products between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2013, and submit your rebate application form by 30 September 2013
• have a licensed plumber install and connect products where required, for example, water tank connections to your laundry and toilet, permanent greywater systems, hot water re-circulators and dual-flush toilets
• supply a Plumbing Industry Commission certificate of compliance where the total value of the products, materials and related plumbing is more than $750.

Please note that you cannot claim a rebate for a product if you received a rebate for the same type of product under the previous Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme.

Rainwater tank rebates are not available to new houses that received a building permit after 30 June 2005.

Homeowners, renters and landlords are eligible for this program. If you're renting, you may need permission from your landlord before installing certain products.

A number of other conditions apply. Check the full terms and conditions on the back of the claim form on the Victorian Government's Office of Water website or ring 136 186.

Items covered

The Living Victoria Water Rebate Program provides rebates for:

• washing machines with a minimum 5 star WELS rating and 4 star Energy rating - $150
• pool cover with roller or reel - $200
• new rainwater tanks with a connection to your toilet and laundry - up to $1,000
• connecting an existing water tank to your toilet - $200
• permanent greywater systems - $500
• hot water re-circulator to divert the cold water from hot water pipes for reuse until the hot water comes through - $150
• dual-flush toilet - $100
• three-star water-efficient showerheads - up to $20
• water conservation home audit - $50.

You can only claim one rebate for each of the items above except for the water-efficient showerheads where you can claim two rebates per household.

Washing machine rebates are only available for a limited time between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012.

You can also apply for a $30 rebate for one basket of goods per household each calendar year. The $30 rebate applies when you spend $100 or more on a selection of eligible products, including:

• garden mulch (including inorganic mulch such as pebbles, scoria)
• composting bins
• garden tap timers
• drip watering systems or weep hoses
• trigger nozzles
• waterless carwash products.

Check the full list of products to find out what other items you can include in the package.

Next steps

Make sure that you understand the full program information before purchasing your new products.

The Living Victoria Water Rebate Program

http://www.water.vic.gov.au/saving/home/rebates