Government Interest-Free Loan

Sustainable Household Scheme

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What You Need To Know

The Sustainable Household Scheme will provide zero-interest loans of between $2,000 to $15,000 to eligible ACT households to help with the upfront costs of investing in energy efficient home upgrades.

Loans will need to be repaid over 10 years and the scheme will be open to new applications for five years.

The scheme will open to all ACT Households early in the 2021-22 financial year and will include products such as:

– Rooftop solar panels
– Household battery storage systems
– Electric heating and cooling systems
– Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP)
– Electric stove tops
– Electric vehicles
– Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
– Installation costs for these products.

Registered individuals that have already completed an  Actsmart workshop will been invited to participate in a pilot to ensure the scheme is operating efficiently.

Register your interest in the Scheme to stay up to date or read the full Scheme Guidelines before registering to decide if this Scheme is right for you.

Interested businesses are invited to attend an information session on Thursday, 24 June 2021. Register your interest by emailing actsmart@act.gov.au.

Resources will be available on this webpage before the launch to help you to better understand and make informed decisions about the products available under the Scheme. You can also book into a free live online Actsmart workshop to help you plan for your energy efficiency upgrades.

 

FAQs

Read the frequently asked questions below for some quick information about the loans. Otherwise, more information is in the Guidelines under the ‘Financing’ section.

Is there a credit check?

Yes, loan applicants must satisfy standard credit criteria for the loan, such as a good credit history and the ability to make repayments without significant hardship.

When do my repayments start?

Your repayments will commence once the product/system has been installed or purchased (as in the case of electric vehicles) or the installer has sent the invoice to the loans provider.

Can I apply for multiple loans?

Each participant may borrow a cumulative maximum of $15,000 over the life of the Scheme. Once this $15,000 limit is reached, the participant is no longer eligible for a new loan even if the previous loan has been repaid. Participants can install one product or a bundle of products from the list of eligible items.

Can I borrow more than the loan cap?

Yes. Depending on your credit check as part of your loan application, you may be able to borrow additional funds above the $15,000 limit. The loans provider may however choose to charge interest for any funds borrowed above the limit.

Is there an early payment option?

Yes, you can repay the remaining loan amount earlier without incurring any penalties.

What fees are associated with the loan?
There are no establishment or account keeping fees associated with the loan. There may be modest fees applied to loans in arrears. Ensure that you have read and understand the terms and conditions before you take the loan.

Are there upfront costs I need to pay?

No. Ensure that you have read and understand the terms and conditions before you take the loan.

Will the lending be done responsibly?

The loans provider is required to comply with responsible lending practices as set out in the National Consumer Protection Credit Act 2009.

What if I can’t repay the loan?

The loans provider will have hardship supports in place to assist if you are experiencing hardship.

Can I apply for a loan under the Scheme and a subsidy under another program?

Yes. If you meet all the relevant eligibility criteria under each initiative, you can apply for both. An example of this is applying for a loan under the Sustainable Household Scheme and applying for a subsidy for a battery storage system under the Next Gen Battery Storage Program (up to $825 per kilowatt).