If you are interested in having a Home Sustainability Assessment, call the Hotline on 1800 895 076.

The Household can book an assessment by calling 1800 895 076 or by giving an assessor permission to book on their behalf.

Yes, the loan exists to support the Household in adopting the recommendations outlined in the Assessment Report. Only those recommended actions from the report will be covered by the loan.

Yes. Eligibility for the loan subsidy is not affected by other available subsidies and incentives for the same items or actions.

Normal REC arrangements apply through existing schemes. The Green Loans Program does not affect REC eligibility; nor will the Program be involved in the allocation of RECs.

The Green Loans Program has a target upper threshold of $250,000 annual income for the applicant. Suitable evidence of an applicant's taxable income may be requested and may include the most recent Notice of Assessment produced by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Home Sustainability Assessment has a nominal value of $250 but is free to the Household as it is fully subsidised by the Australian Government. No fee should be paid by the Household to the Assessor for a Home Sustainability Assessment.

The Australian Government is subsidising the cost of the Home Sustainability Assessments because it recognises that charging a fee immediately restricts the uptake of the service and introduces issues of equity. Those in most need of support to reduce their operational energy and water costs are those least likely to have discretional income available to contribute to the cost of the Home Sustainability Assessment service.

Yes, providing they are listed on the current lease. Of course, you must adhere to the requirements of your lease in making any changes to the property.

The Green Loans Program is aimed at increasing the efficiency of existing homes. The dwelling being assessed must have been completed and occupied for at least 12 months (not necessarily by the applicant). Suitable proof may include a certificate of occupancy or similar issued by a local or state government agency.

Other policies exist to address the energy and water performance of new homes. These policies include regulations such as BASIX in New South Wales, and minimum performance standards incorporated in the Building Code of Australia in all other states and territories.

We have had a healthy response from credit unions and banks and many institutions have become partners. List of participating financial institutions.

Home assessments reports are valid for six months from the date they are submitted for the purpose of applying for interest-free Green Loans. However, in recognition of the delays in some householders receiving their reports, we have extended the time that reports remain valid. Assessment reports submitted up to 30 November 2009 will now be valid until 30 June 2010.

Under the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, Australian, state and territory governments have proposed to introduce compulsory disclosure of residential building performance information when selling and leasing homes.

If adopted, this may require owners of existing homes to assess and rate their home’s energy, water and greenhouse performance and provide the information when selling or leasing.

The proposed framework for mandatory disclosure is expected to start with energy efficiency disclosure by May 2011. A number of states and territories (such ACT and QLD) have already implemented some kind of compulsory rating system for homes.

There are significant development and consultation stages still to be undertaken before governments are in a position to consider the details of the disclosure scheme.

The Green Loans Program provides free Home Sustainability Assessments and access to interest-free Green Loans.  This program is in no way related to the proposed disclosure scheme.

The Green Loans Program is based on voluntary participation by householders to get a free home sustainability assessment carried out on their home which provides them with a list of recommendations which can help save water and energy use around the home. 

The householder can use these recommendations to guide which changes they would like to make, and for larger scale changes can use this assessment as the basis for applying for an interest-free Green Loan.

There is no direct link between mandatory disclosure for buildings and the Green Loans Program; to infer any connection is incorrect and misleading. If householders are approached by an assessor working under the Green Loans Program who is promoting mandatory disclosure as a means of securing an assessment and are concerned or have any questions they should contact the Department on 1800 895 076.