Policy & Advocacy
Policy positions
Efficient, electric homes
Revamped incentive programs
Well-targeted and accessible financial incentives to assist with the upfront cost of home efficiency and electrification and promote flexible demand. Incentive programs can take a variety of forms – rebates, integrated retrofit finance, or retailer obligation schemes, for example – but should be revamped to be:
- nationally available;
- avoid ‘boom and bust’ cycles in the market and prioritise quality and safety;
- delivered through simple and coordinated retrofit services that connect households to trusted retrofit providers; and
- cover technologies for energy efficiency, electrification and demand flexibility.
Inclusion and support
Many parts of the community need extra support for efficiency and electrification, including social housing tenants, low-income households, apartments and regional, remote and First Nations communities. Policy priorities include targeted funding for retrofits with a focus on thermal comfort, community-led programs, consumer protections and an equitable transition to renewables.
Gas appliance phaseouts
The most cost-effective way of electrifying the Australian housing stock is phasing out gas appliances and replacing them with efficient electric alternatives at end of life, which can be achieved efficiently, at scale using regulation. State building and planning regulations that prevent households from removing gas connections in existing homes should be revised as soon as possible.
Modernised appliance standards
Appliance standards should ensure all major electrical appliances sold in Australia meet minimum energy performance levels equivalent to or better than other leading countries. Standards should also include requirements that appliances are enabled for optimisation in homes and with the grid.
Rental standards
All states and territories should introduce standards like those in place in Victoria and the ACT requiring energy-efficient electric features in rental homes, such as insulation and efficient electric appliances.
Mandatory disclosure
Mandatory disclosure of home energy performance ratings at the point of sale and lease will provide households with the information they need to choose an efficient electric home and drive improvements across the housing stock.
Read our full plan for delivering efficient, electric homes.
2025 Federal Election policy priorities
With Australians grappling with cost of living and businesses under pressure, smart energy management that drives down bills and improves productivity is more important than ever.
The EEC calls on the next Australian government to prioritise a strong suite of sensible reforms that support households and businesses, improve energy security, and accelerate an equitable transition to a low-emissions future:
- Upgrade homes for health, comfort and efficiency – supercharge social and community housing retrofits, implement minimum rental energy standards, and roll out a national home energy rating system.
- Support business energy upgrades – Expand financial incentives and regulatory support for businesses to boost their energy productivity through investment in energy efficiency, electrification, and demand flexibility.
- Modernise energy governance – Reform energy governance frameworks to prioritise demand-side measures including establishing a national energy performance agency.
- Strengthen the role of the demand side in the electricity market – Reform existing incentives for demand management and ensure new capacity mechanisms incentivise flexible demand capacity.
- Set national energy performance targets – Establish targets for energy efficiency and flexible demand to better match energy use with renewable generation, reducing costs and improving reliability.
- Align and modernise retailer energy efficiency schemes – Re-align schemes to focus on optimising the energy system, reducing peak demand, and shifting energy use to periods of high renewable generation.
- Accelerate commercial building efficiency – Expand the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program and implement stronger policies for energy efficient commercial buildings.
- Develop a skilled workforce – Invest in workforce training, upskilling, and certification to ensure Australia has the skilled professionals needed for efficient electrification and the energy transition.
- Improve energy literacy – Launch a national energy efficiency awareness campaign to help households and businesses cut energy costs through informed choices.
- Boost research and innovation – Increase investment in energy-related research and development to drive practical solutions for a net zero economy.
