Insulation rollout to cut bills and boost health for Victorian households
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA – 30 March 2026 – The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) has welcomed today’s announcement from the Victorian Government that discounted insulation upgrades under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program will be available to eligible social housing households from 14 April, before expanding to all eligible Victorian homes with little or no ceiling insulation from 1 October 2026.
The Victorian Government estimates that these upgrades will deliver average energy bill savings of around $418 per year.
“With the global energy crisis compounding cost of living pressures for all Australians, Victoria is showing tremendous leadership with this announcement that will mean permanent reductions energy expenditure for thousands of households,” said EEC CEO, Luke Menzel.
“When a home is properly insulated, households don’t need to rely on expensive heating and cooling just to stay comfortable, which is why properly insulating homes is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills,” Mr Menzel said.
Around half of Victorian homes were built before minimum energy performance requirements were introduced, with many others constructed to standards well below those in place today. These underperforming homes are often cold and damp in winter and stiflingly hot in summer, creating spaces that are uncomfortable and unhealthy to live in.
“The evidence is clear: improved insulation delivers better physical and mental health outcomes for residents. This can have a huge impact on quality of life, especially for people living in social and community housing.”
In addition to the benefits for households, several insulation products are manufactured in Victoria, often using recycled materials such as glass and plastic. Increased uptake through the VEU will help support local recycling, manufacturing, and jobs.
“We’ve always said insulation is a no-brainer. This will cut energy bills, improve health outcomes, support local industry, and reduce pressure on the electricity grid during peak demand periods,” Mr Menzel said.
“There are only winners in this announcement.”
The Energy Efficiency Council is the certifying body for insulation installers in Australia. The staged rollout will give installers time to become fully EEC Certified. With strong demand for certification already seen across Victoria, the EEC stands ready to support more insulation professionals become certified to deliver safe, high-quality upgrades as the program expands.
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For further information, please contact:
Gabriel Wong
Positive Good for Energy Efficiency Council
Mobile: 0432 177 005
Email: gabriel@positivegood.com.au
