Energy Efficiency Rebates for Victorian Landlords - What You Need to Know

How rental providers can access solar incentives and boost property value in 2025 

With state and federal programs working together, rental providers can access thousands of dollars in rebates, loans, and tax benefits for installing solar panels and other energy-efficient systems all while keeping costs manageable. 

Here’s what’s currently available:

1. The Victorian Solar for Rentals Rebate

Program: Solar Homes Program (Solar Victoria) 
Incentive: Up to $1,400 rebate + optional $1,400 interest-free loan 

The Victorian Government offers a dedicated Solar for Rentals stream under the Solar Homes Program. It helps rental providers install rooftop solar panels (PV systems) on investment properties with minimal upfront cost.

Key Details: 

Eligibility: 

• The property must be a residential rental property in Victoria valued below $3 million. 

• The property must not have previously received a solar or battery rebate. 

• The landlord must sign a Rental Provider–Renter Agreement confirming installation terms. 

• The tenants’ combined household taxable income must be under $210,000 per year (based on one of the past two tax years). 

• The installation must be completed by an authorised Solar Victoria retailer using approved products. 

Tenant Co-Contribution (Optional): 
You can agree that your tenants contribute up to 50% of the monthly repayments for the interest-free loan capped at around $14.58 per month on a $1,400 loan. 
Importantly, landlords cannot increase rent to recover the installation cost or claim it from the bond.

2. Federal Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

Program: Australian Government – Clean Energy Regulator 
Incentive: Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) 

This national program provides an upfront financial incentive for installing small-scale renewable energy systems, including solar PV. 

Here’s how it works: 

• Every eligible solar system earns Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on expected power generation. 

• Your solar retailer typically assigns these STCs to themselves as part of your quote, turning them into an upfront discount off the system’s price. 

• The discount depends on system size, location, and the STC market price. 

Most Victorian landlords can expect federal STC discounts worth several thousand dollars on a standard 6.6 kW system before the state rebate or loan is applied. 

These two programs can work together, meaning your total out-of-pocket cost can be dramatically reduced: 

Example: 

• System cost: ~$6,000 (6.6 kW solar system) 

• Federal STC discount: ~$2,500 (varies) 

• Victorian rebate: $1,400 

• Optional VIC loan: $1,400 (interest-free) 

Total upfront cost: as little as ~$700 paid over four years with no interest. 

That’s a major capital upgrade with minimal cash outlay. 

3. Switching from Gas to Electric - Electrification Incentives

Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap is driving new incentives to move homes away from gas appliances. 
Under the VEU and Solar Victoria programs, landlords can claim discounts for: 

• Replacing gas heating with high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioners (split systems). 

• Replacing gas hot water with electric heat pump systems. 

• Replacing gas cooking with induction cooktops (rebate pilot programs under development). 

These initiatives are part of Victoria’s 2035 target to halve household gas use, so expect expanded rebates in 2025–2026 for full electrification upgrades. 

Considering an upgrade for your investment property? 
Talk to LongView’s Property Management team. We’ll help you understand which energy incentives you’re eligible for and coordinate trusted installers through our network