Federal STCs are the one incentive available in every state. New South Wales and Victoria add certificate schemes on top, covered in NSW stacking and Victoria stacking. This page covers the rest. State programs change often, so we describe the mechanism and tell you where to confirm the detail rather than quote amounts.
What the STC gives you everywhere
An eligible air source heat pump on the Clean Energy Regulator register creates STCs. The count depends on the model, the installation type and the climate zone. Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and the Gold Coast are zone 3, Hobart and Launceston are zone 4, Darwin is zone 2 and Alice Springs is zone 1. At the time of writing STCs have been roughly $38 to $40 each, and the installer normally applies the value as a discount on the quote. See how many STCs a heat pump earns and the heat pump STC calculator.
Queensland
No dedicated state heat pump certificate scheme operates for most households at the time of writing, so the STC discount does the work. Closed programs such as the Battery Booster are for batteries, not hot water. See Queensland rebates.
South Australia
South Australia has run its Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme, which can support efficient hot water upgrades through accredited providers. Eligibility and values change, so check the SA Government’s current page. See South Australia rebates.
Western Australia
We are not aware of a general state heat pump rebate for households. The federal STC applies, and WA’s battery scheme is a separate matter. See Western Australia rebates.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Energy Saver Loan has closed, and there is no widely available certificate scheme for heat pumps. STCs apply. See Tasmania rebates.
ACT
The ACT’s Sustainable Household Scheme has offered interest-free loans for efficient electrical upgrades, including hot water. A loan is different from a rebate, and terms change. See ACT rebates.
Northern Territory
No dedicated heat pump certificate scheme is widely available, and the NT battery scheme has closed. STCs apply. See Northern Territory rebates.
From the desk: if a website quotes a state heat pump rebate with a dollar figure and no date, ignore the number and go to the source. Schemes are suspended and reopened more often than the articles are updated.
What this means for installers
Outside NSW and Victoria, your discount is the STC, so your margin depends on the rate you settle at and how quickly. See pricing for today’s rate, how it works and the hot water STC pillar. To compare state programs across the board, use the rebates guide.
How to check a program yourself
Search for the state energy or environment department, find the program page, and look for the open and close dates, the eligibility test and whether the installer or the household applies. If any of those are missing, treat the offer as unconfirmed. Then compare quotes on the final price.