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The Home Insulation Program offers ceiling insulation worth up to $1,200 to owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants.

The program targets homes that are currently uninsulated, or have very little ceiling insulation and were built before the mandatory thermal performance requirements under the Building Code of Australia were introduced commencing in 2003.

If the total cost of installation is less than $1,200 there will be no more for the householder to pay. This will be the case for most households. If the cost of the insulation is more than $1,200, the householder will ordinarily have to pay the difference, or the full amount if they are ineligible.

The program commenced with its announcement on 3 February 2009 under a rebate scheme.  From 1 July 2009 to 31 August 2009 there were separate arrangements for owner- occupiers and rental properties.  This program now covers all eligible households and is in effect to 31 December 2011 or until the date when Program funds have been fully allocated, whichever occurs first. Please note that a revised edition of the Program Guidelines was released on 1 November 2009.

Getting started

Householders who wish to participate in the program must read the Program guidelines before arranging insulation.

The insulation must be installed by an insulation installer who is registered on the Australian Government’s Installer Provider Register.

The $1,200 insulation assistance is an alternative to the $1,600 solar hot water rebate. Householders cannot access both assistance packages for the same home.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to obtain the assistance the Householder must:

be:

1. the Owner-Occupier or Beneficial Owner of the dwelling where the Ceiling Insulation is to be installed and be an individual who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over; OR
2. the Landlord of the dwelling where the Ceiling Insulation is to be installed and be:
   • an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 years or over; or
   • a corporate entity incorporated in Australia; or
3. the Tenant of a dwelling owned by a Landlord who has evidence of the Landlord’s permission (letter from the Landlord or Landlord’s agent) to install Ceiling Insulation in that dwelling under the Home Insulation Program and to sign the Work Order Form including giving a release on the Landlord’s behalf;

and must

• from 1 December 2009 obtain two (2) genuinely independent quotes from two businesses on the Installer Provider register; and
• obtain the approval of the owners’ corporation , if applicable; and
• not have been granted assistance under the Australian Government’s Solar Hot Water Rebate program since the rebate was increased to $1,600 on 3 February 2009 for that dwelling; and
• not have applied for or been granted assistance under the Homeowner Insulation Program or the Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters in relation to the dwelling (a dwelling can only be insulated once under the Program including the Homeowner Insulation Program and the Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters); and
• correctly complete and sign the relevant section of the Work Order Form; and
• be arranging the installation of new Ceiling Insulation, not replacing existing ceiling insulation above what is deemed as having Negligible Effectiveness; and
• not have received or be entitled to receive assistance for the installation of Ceiling Insulation in the dwelling under any state, territory or local government scheme which combined with any assistance under this Program will result in the Householder receiving assistance in excess of the total cost of the installation of the Ceiling Insulation.

Who is not eligible for ceiling insulation under the Home Insulation Program?

NOTE: People who are ineligible for assistance under the Home Insulation Program may be eligible for assistance under the Solar Hot Water Rebate.

Assistance will not be provided where:

• the insulation has been installed by an installer who is not on the Australian Government’s Installer Provider Register; or
• the dwelling where the ceiling insulation is to be installed is a new home, a rebuilt home or an extension to an existing home built from 2003 onwards and is covered by the mandatory thermal performance requirements for new housing under the Building Code of Australia; or
• the dwelling where the ceiling insulation is installed is owned by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth authority, a State, Territory or Local Government or State, Territory or Local Government Authority including a State, Territory or Local Government Housing Authority; or
• the relevant section of the work order form has not been completed by the householder; or
• the ceiling insulation replaces existing ceiling insulation above what is deemed as having negligible effectiveness; or
• the householder has not obtained two genuinely independent written quotes provided following physical site inspections.

Technical requirements

NOTE: The insulation installer is responsible for ensuring that the technical requirements are met and must confirm that these are met on the work order form upon completion of the installation.

Product and installation requirements

To be eligible to obtain the assistance the ceiling insulation must:

• cover the entire ceiling area of the living space;
• be new ceiling insulation material installed in an existing dwelling (not an extension or a new dwelling covered from 2003 onwards by mandatory thermal performance requirements for new housing under the Building Code of Australia);
• meet relevant Australian Standards outlined in section 4 of the Program guidelines; and
• comply (as a minimum) to the specified R-value outlined in section 4 of the Program guidelines for the climate zone where the dwelling is located, and the direction of heat flow.

Please read section 4 - Installation eligibility requirements of the Program guidelines for more information about product standards and installation requirements.

Information about the various types of insulation available in Australia can be found at www.yourhome.gov.au .

How to arrange installation

To arrange installation you will need to:

• Carefully read the Program guidelines and assess your eligibility.
• Select at least two (2) installers from the Installer Provider Register or phone 1800 808 571 for a list of installers servicing your area.
• Contact your selected installers and arrange for physical site inspections and  written quotes for the installation of ceiling insulation. You are encouraged to approach a number of installers on the register to explore the best solution for your particular needs. During their initial contact with installers householders should confirm that the installer will be able to service their area.

Once the installation is complete you will need to:

• If you are satisfied with the work - complete and sign the relevant section of the work order form presented to you by your installer; and
• Retain your copy of the written quote, tax invoice, completed and signed work order form and any other proof of purchase documents provided to you by the installer for Australian Government audit purposes for a period of five (5) years.

If the cost of the installation is over $1,200, you will ordinarily need to pay the installer the difference or the full amount if you are ineligible.

A checklist outlining the steps for householders is available for download below however it is your responsibility to read the complete guidelines.

The Australian Government has a stringent compliance and audit program in place and is monitoring compliance with all program requirements. Any non-compliance will be treated seriously and may result in recovery of money, prosecution and/or installers being removed from the Installer Provider Register.

Insulation installed before 1 July 2009

Householders who had ceiling insulation installed between 3 February 2009 and 30 June 2009 can send in their reimbursement application (included with the Early Installation Guidelines), together with two quotes, the tax invoice and receipt to claim a reimbursement of up to $1,600 or up to $1,000 in respect of a rental property. This must be done within six months of the installation.

The insulation must have been installed by a skilled tradesman (e.g. a builder, plasterer or specialist insulation installer) who was working for a business with an Australian Business Number.