Who can access a VEU discount?
Victorian households can participate in Victorian Energy Upgrades, including owner-occupied and rental homes. That broad access does not mean every appliance purchase receives a rebate. The proposed installation must fit an eligible activity. The Victorian Government’s household guide is the starting point.
Think of eligibility as a check on a specific job: this property, this existing appliance and this replacement. A postcode by itself cannot settle all three. Neither can an advertisement saying “government rebate available”.
Before requesting prices, write down what you want to improve. Perhaps the lounge never warms up, the bedrooms need summer cooling or the old heater has become unreliable. That short description helps an assessor separate the comfort problem from the rebate paperwork.
Three checks before you choose a system
Use this sequence when you speak with a supplier. If a conversation jumps straight from “What suburb?” to “Sign today”, bring it back to the equipment and the work required. You are buying an installed system, not just a discount.
What information matters about your existing appliance?
“Gas heating” is a useful start, but it leaves several questions open. Is it a ducted unit serving the whole house or a heater in one room? Does it still operate? Has another system already replaced it? Have any parts been removed?
Take a clear photo of the appliance and, where safely accessible, its model label. Do not climb into a roof or dismantle equipment to find it. A photo of the controller and visible outlets can also help explain the setup.
Tell the assessor about any previous upgrade or rebate at the property. If you have just bought the home, say which details you do not know. An honest gap in the information is easier to resolve than an assumption carried into the quote.
Does every air conditioner qualify?
No. The exact model matters. The VEU product register identifies products listed for particular activities. A familiar brand name or a high star rating is not a substitute for checking the proposed model.
For heating and cooling, current guidance requires an approved high-efficiency reverse cycle system and a minimum five-year product warranty for homes. When an existing heating or cooling system is being replaced, it must be more than two years old. See the official heating and cooling requirements.
Ask the quote writer to record the indoor and outdoor model numbers, rather than only “7 kW split system”. Keep that record with the invoice. If the proposed model changes because stock is unavailable, ask for the eligibility and price to be checked again before accepting the substitution.
What if you rent or own an investment property?
A rental home is not automatically excluded. For fixed heating and cooling upgrades, tenants and rental providers should agree on the work and permissions first. Apartments may also require owners corporation approval. The government’s renter and landlord guidance explains the arrangements.
A useful first email to the property manager includes the problem, the requested upgrade and whether a site assessment is needed. Keep the reply. Agree who will approve the final quote, provide access and receive the warranty documents, rather than leaving these decisions until installation day.
Who confirms the rebate?
A VEU accredited provider must be involved in applying the discount. An installation business and an accredited provider are not necessarily the same organisation. You can check the latter in the register of accredited persons.
Melba Energy is a local home energy business, not a VEU accredited provider. Ask who will be responsible for the VEU component of your proposed job and have those arrangements confirmed before work starts.
Keep the names and contact details with your quote. It should be straightforward to identify who handles installation questions and who handles rebate evidence. If that division is unclear, ask for it to be explained in writing.
Your pre-quote checklist
- The installation address and your preferred contact details.
- Photos of the existing appliance, controller and accessible model label.
- The rooms you want to heat and cool, with a floor plan if available.
- Details of previous upgrades you know about.
- Permission for the work if you rent or need owners corporation approval.
- Any access constraints, such as a narrow side passage or upper-storey location.
You do not need to diagnose your home yourself. The point is to give the assessor a useful starting picture and avoid a quote based on a different installation from the one you actually need.
What should you receive before agreeing to the work?
Request an itemised proposal showing the specified equipment, installation work, proposed VEU discount and your final payment. Ask whether removal, electrical work, wall repairs and access equipment are included. A low headline price is hard to compare when half the scope is missing.
For example, two quotes might name the same air conditioner but include different pipe runs or removal work. Put the inclusions next to each other before comparing the totals. That is a practical purchasing check, separate from program eligibility.
For a wider explanation, read our VEU rebate guide. If you are ready to discuss your home, request an assessment from Melba Energy and tell us what you currently use.
Sources and review notes
Checked on 10 October 2026. Program rules and certificate values can change. Use the current official guidance and your written quote before committing to an upgrade.
