If you live in Victoria and are buying an efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner, a discount may already be built into the price. It comes from the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, which rewards efficiency upgrades by creating certificates that are sold to energy retailers.
How the discount works
Accredited providers create certificates, known as VEECs, when an eligible product is installed. The value of those certificates, which have traded at roughly $85 to $95 in 2026, is partly passed to you as a lower price. You do not usually apply yourself: you agree to assign your rights, and the provider takes care of the registry process.
What to check
- Eligibility. Not every air conditioner or home qualifies. The product must be on the approved register for the activity.
- A clear price. The quote should show the discount and the price after it.
- The provider. Make sure the business is accredited under the program.
- The paperwork. Keep your copy of the assignment and installation records.
Exact amounts vary, and we do not quote them here, because they depend on the product and the activity rules at the time. Look at the official Victorian Energy Upgrades page and ask the provider for a written estimate.
How it differs from solar rebates
Solar rebates sit under federal STCs and Victoria’s means-tested household rebate, which has an income cap of $150,000 as of 1 July 2026. The VEU scheme is separate, so eligibility for one does not decide eligibility for the other. See solar panel rebates in Australia.
What this means for you
Compare quotes on the final price, ask for the discount to be itemised and keep the paperwork. If you are curious about how the certificates work behind the scenes, read what is a VEEC and the VEEC trading overview or the glossary.
One final suggestion: if you are weighing a large purchase, ask for two quotes and ask each business to explain the discount in plain words. A provider that can describe how the certificates work, and what happens to your paperwork, is usually the one that has done the job many times and handles problems well.