Recently, the Albanese Government’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ policy has placed a powerful focus on revitalising local manufacturing, something long overdue for Australia. What this means is backing local manufacturing with significant investment in essential skills, industries, and greater control over supply to meet our own needs. And then of course, there is job creation. For homeowners? This also presents a unique opportunity.
Choosing an Australian-made hot water system is now more than a quality or patriotic choice; it’s a more meaningful financial decision. It directly supports local jobs and ensures products are built for our conditions. But our favourite part of this policy is that it unlocks the full value of government rebates. As a result, we’ve created this guide to show you how buying not only local benefits your home, but also your wallet, and our national economy.
Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the connection between your choosing Aussie-made and its impact on your back pocket. Understanding how government rebate schemes are structured helps choose the right product.
Both the federal and state governments offer financial incentives. For example, on the federal level, there is the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme, and then there are state-specific programs, such as the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient appliances.
Some rebates, including the full value of certain state-based incentives, include ‘local content’ rules. This means that to qualify for the maximum financial benefit, your product needs to contain a significant percentage (often around 50% or more) of locally manufactured or assembled parts. By doing so, your purchase directly rewards manufacturers who invest in Australian jobs and supply chains.
Besides saving money and supporting our economy, you’re likely to receive the best quality products. Australian-made products are built to comply with Australian Standards (AS/NZS) from the outset. This also removes a major hurdle in the rebate application process, because installers and suppliers can quickly verify that the system meets all requirements. As a result, you get it without delays, excess paperwork, or unnecessary headaches.
When it comes to quality, Australian-made hot water systems truly shine. Built to withstand our harsh conditions, they’re engineered for superior durability and performance. Our manufacturers use materials specifically chosen to resist corrosion, especially important in coastal areas, as well as extreme UV exposure. Combined with high energy efficiency ratings (often exceeding 5 stars), these systems are designed to not only last longer but also run cheaper.
Then there are the warranties. Unlike imported brands with overseas call centres, Aussie-made products come with local warranties backed by manufacturers you can contact directly. And should you ever need service, parts are readily available and technicians are trained on the models they’re installing. If you’ve ever had to deal with the headaches of warranty repairs with overseas suppliers, you know the value this provides.
We see this firsthand with our customers. One of our clients in Mildura, Victoria, replaced their imported hot water heat pump with our Australian-made model. The previous unit struggled relentlessly during the summer, with efficiency plummeting as temperatures soared above 40°C. The overseas manufacturer refused to honour the warranty, stating the unit was “not designed for such extreme climatic conditions.”
Our heat pump system, however, is specifically engineered with features like high-temperature compressors and UV-resistant casing, designed not just to survive but to thrive in extreme heat. Their energy bills dropped noticeably, and they’ve had zero downtime since installing an Australian-made heat pump water heater.
This isn’t an isolated case; it’s exactly what we design for, whether it be gas hot water systems or solar hot water systems. Going local means investing in reliability that’s built to last right here, for here, backed by support that’s just a phone call away (and not an overseas call centre).
When you choose an Australian-made hot water system, you’re supporting jobs right here in Australia, including factory floor workers, engineers, installers, distributors and support staff.
By buying Australian-made, you’re helping sustain regional manufacturing hubs while keeping skills and spending within our communities, instead of benefiting a foreign nation.
Furthermore, choosing local significantly cuts down on the carbon footprint of your system. Whereas imported units travel thousands of kilometres by ship and truck, Aussie-made systems have far shorter supply chains. This means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from all the transport and a cleaner, greener choice for our environment.
In short, when you buy Australian-made, everyone benefits.
On the subject of choices, Australian-made energy-efficient systems are designed not only to meet but exceed our nation’s strict eco-standards. As a result, our quality means real-world benefits for both your wallet and the planet.
In Australia, we have rigorous environmental and efficiency regulations which ensure every unit is optimised for our conditions. This results in systems that use significantly less energy than older or imported models.
For example, an Australian-made energy-efficient heat pump can operate on a fraction of the energy consumption of a traditional electric water heater. This lowers your household’s running costs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions, a true double win.
As for the broader environmental benefits, from production to disposal, locally made systems have a lower environmental impact by:
Navigating rebate applications can be overwhelming. Most rebates are applied as upfront discounts through your supplier, who will usually handle the paperwork for the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme. For state-based incentives, you likely need to apply directly via a government portal, where you’ll submit your proof of purchase and installation documents.
Here’s a checklist that will help smooth out the process for you.
Checklist for Buyers:
The main thing to remember here is to always work with suppliers and installers who are approved by the Clean Energy Council or endorsed by the manufacturer. This is non-negotiable, as using an unaccredited installer will void your rebate eligibility and potentially your product warranty.
Upgrading to an Australian-made hot water system is a powerful decision that delivers on every front: significant financial savings through maximum rebates, superior long-term performance built for our climate, and the satisfaction of supporting local jobs and manufacturing.
It’s the smart choice for your home, family and for Australia’s future.
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Eligibility typically targets low-income households, often requiring a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card. The specific “free” upgrade is usually for replacing old electric storage systems with highly efficient electric heat pumps, funded through state-backed energy savings initiatives.
Solar thermal (with a gas or electric booster) and heat pump systems are the most efficient. Heat pumps excel as they use ambient heat from the surrounding air, making them highly efficient and ideal for most Australian climates, leading to significant long-term savings.
The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) in some states requires energy retailers to help households save energy. This can include discounts or rebates on efficient appliances like heat pumps when you replace an old gas hot water heater, helping to offset the upfront heat pump system costs.
Absolutely. While the upfront heat pump system costs are higher than a standard gas hot water heater or electric unit, a heat pump uses significantly less energy to heat water, slashing your bills. This leads to substantial long-term savings, making it a very worthwhile investment.