Gas rules for new homes are state matters, and they are shifting. For installers the practical question is not politics but pipeline: how many all-electric homes need hot water, heating, solar and storage, and which incentives apply to each.
What the rules look like
Victoria stopped new residential planning permits from allowing gas connections from 1 January 2024, so new homes in permit-controlled developments go all-electric. The ACT has been phasing out new gas network connections. Other states have not introduced a general ban at the time of writing, and some have rolled back proposals. Treat any summary as a snapshot and check the relevant state department.
What all-electric homes need
- Hot water. Heat pump hot water systems are the default for new all-electric homes. Eligible models earn STCs, with the count varying by model and zone: see heat pump STCs by zone.
- Solar. Rooftop solar pairs with electric loads. The deeming period is 5 years for 2026 installs and 4 for 2027, so the discount shrinks each year.
- Batteries. With more evening electric load, batteries make sense, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies to new or existing solar.
- State certificates. Victoria’s VEU creates VEECs for some activities, and NSW has the Energy Savings Scheme and PDRS. New buildings are treated differently by activity. See heat pump VEECs in Victoria and heat pumps in new builds.
The installation-type trap
The STC claim distinguishes new, replacement and additional installations, and the evidence differs. A heat pump in a new build is not replacing a gas unit. Our installation type guide sets out how to record each one, and the hot water and heat pump checklist lists the evidence.
What this means for installers
Plumbers and electricians who add heat pump and solar to their offer can capture more of each new build. Treat certificate income as a cash-flow item, and use a trader with a quick settlement process so the extra work does not stretch your terms. Check which scheme applies per state, keep photos for every job, and sell the combined package with accurate numbers. See hot water STCs, VEEC trading, pricing and how it works. For policy context, read home electrification policy in 2026.