Water Tank Information and Rebates
- Information on Water Tanks and Rebates In South Australia
- Information on Water Tanks and Rebates In New South Wales
- Information on Water Tanks and Rebates In Victoria
- Information on Water Tanks and Rebates In Queensland
- Information on Water Tanks and Rebates In ACT
- Information on Water Tanks And Rebates In Western Australia
Water Tank Rebates in South Australia (SA)
A rebate of between $200 and $1000 is being offered towards the cost of purchasing and plumbing a rainwater tank to retrofit into your home for uses such as toilet flushing, clothes washing and for hot water supply.
What does the rainwater tank rebate cover?
- up to $800 to purchase a new rainwater tank and plumb it into an eligible home
- up to $600 for plumbing into 1 eligible fixture type (to plumb an existing rainwater tank into an eligible home)
- $200 to add an additional rainwater tank or replacement rainwater tank that is already plumbed to their existing system
- $200 extra for new plumbing by a licensed plumber to supply rainwater to two or more different types of eligible fixtures, and/or an eligible seamless automatic switching device.
General terms and conditions for rebates are as follows:
- All rainwater tanks need to be 1,000 litres or more and plumbed into at least one eligible fixture type (toilet cistern, all laundry cold water outlets, or hot water service).
- Eligible homes are generally homes for which an application for development approval was lodged before 1 July 2006.
- You must obtain a signed Certificate of Compliance from a licensed plumber indicating which eligible fixture types have been plumbed into.
- You will need to provide the original receipt when claiming the rebate for the rainwater tank and switching device.
- Rainwater tanks and plumbing must comply with relevant Australian Standards and any local council requirements that may apply.
- Tenants will need to provide a letter of permission from their landlord to be eligible for the rebate.
Water Tank Rebates in New South Wales (NSW)
Up to 40% of a household's water use can be replaced with rainwater.
The rebate is available for the installation of any new rainwater storage system in residential properties in NSW.
Eligibility
- The tank(s) must have a minimum 2000-litre capacity and be purchased in full and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009.
- Households not connected to the mains supply are eligible for a rebate for the purchase of the tank only.
- Rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes, major renovations or a pool installation are not eligible for a rebate.
See the full terms and conditions for the NSW Government's Rainwater Tank Rebate.
How much is the rebate?
The rebate is based on the size of the tank and whether the rainwater is plumbed into your toilet or washing machine.
| Tank(s) capacity | Rebate | Connection to toilet(s) |
Connection to washing machine(s) |
Maximum total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-3999 litres | $150 | $500 | $500 | $1150 |
| 4000-6999 litres | $400 | $500 | $500 | $1400 |
| 7000 litres and above | $500 | $500 | $500 | $1500 |
How do I apply?
You apply for the rebate after your tank has been installed and any plumbing work is completed.
Sydney Water customers apply through Sydney Water.
Customers of all other NSW water utilities, apply through the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) and need to:
- read the details of the offer in the Rainwater Tank Rebate Application brochure
(2007266intro.pdf; 196 kb, requires Acrobat Reader) - complete the rainwater tank rebate application form
(DECCRTRappform20072661.pdf; 129kb, requires Acrobat Reader) - if plumbing work was done, have their plumber complete their section of the application form attach their original receipts for the tank and installations
- send it to:
NSW Climate Change Fund Rainwater Tank Rebate Program
PO Box A290
Sydney South 1232.
If you have any questions, please contact DECC on 1300 361 967.
Water Tank Rebates in Victoria (VIC)
The Water Smart Gardens and Homes rebate scheme rewards residential customers connected to a mains water supply for purchasing water-saving devices and services, thereby reducing their water consumption.
Households who purchased and installed a rainwater tank from 1 January 2007 are eligible for a rebate of up to $1000. Rainwater tanks can save up to 40,000 litres per household per year. The rebate is based on the size of the tank and requires the tank to be connected to toilet and/or laundry facilities as follows:
- Rainwater Tanks, 2000 - 4999 litre capacity, connected to toilet and/or laundry - $500 rebate
- Rainwater Tanks, 5000+ litre capacity, connected to toilet or laundry - $900 rebate
- Rainwater Tanks 5000+ litre capacity, connected to toilet and laundry - $1000 rebate
Householders who have already claimed a tank rebate prior to 1 January 2007 are still eligible for a rebate if they purchase an additional large tank connected to the toilet and/or laundry. The large tank rebates can be paid via a one-off Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by cheque and should take around 10-12 weeks to process.
The existing $150 rebate for tanks 600 litres or larger not connected for indoor use will still apply, as will the $150 tank to toilet connection for new small tanks (600 L to 1999 L) and existing tanks. These two $150 rebates will continue to be credited to your next water bill. The Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebate Scheme is administered by the retail water corporations on behalf of the Victorian Government, in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Water Tank Rebates in Queensland (QLD)
- State Govt
Tank rebate minimum capacity of 3000L and Internally connected to either Toilet or Laundry (Cold water tap). Rebate is $1500. - Brisbane City Council
Tank rebate equal to or over 3000L up to 4999L plumbed internally to either Toilet or Laundry (Cold water tap). Rebate is $900
Tank rebate for more than or equal to 5000L and is Internally plumbed into Toilet or Laundry (Cold water tap). Rebate is $1150
Internal connections done to existing tanks over or equal to 3000L. Rebate is $400 - Pensioners are eligible for an additional rebate of $100.
Certain eligibility criteria exist. Further information can be found on the BCC and QLD Gov. websites.
For all other areas please ask us for information on current rebates or consult your local council.
Water Tank Rebates in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Rainwater Tank Rebate & Internal Connection (only) Rebate
The ACT Government offers rebates for the installation of eligible rainwater tanks with an internal plumbing connection to inside the home (for example to the toilet or washing machine) on properties connected to ACTEW Corporation's water supply network.
The program recognises that maximum benefits from installing a rainwater tank, in terms of water saving and stormwater protection, are generated when the tank water is used for internal purposes such as toilet flushing and clothes washing as well as for garden watering. This provides a way for tank water to replace mains water all year round - internally during cooler months when the garden doesn't need much water, and outside in the garden as well in warmer months - thereby increasing the amount of rainwater that can be harvested and used.
While there are no additional charges or taxes on the collection of rainwater, the ACT Government understands that initially there is a cost associated with plumbing the tank water to use inside the home, and that is why the rainwater tank rebate program specifically rewards those residents who are prepared to make that extra investment to maximise the water savings from the use of their tanks.
Properties which are not eligible rebates under the scheme
Development on blocks where rainwater tanks are proposed in order to satisfy lease and development conditions or requirements contained in the relevant Precinct, General or Development Codes (following the introduction of the new Territory Plan) are not eligible for rebates under this program. This generally includes all housing in new estates. Redeveloped blocks, extensions in excess of 50% of the original area and multi-unit developments where rainwater tanks are included in the development proposal for the dwelling or where they are proposed in order to satisfy a condition of development approval, do not qualify for a rebate.
You can obtain details of the lease and development conditions for your block from the ACT Planning and Land Authority's Lease and development conditions register search website, or by calling the Duty Planner on 6207 1923.
Rebate details for installations on or before 31 January 2008
Rebate details for installations on or after 1 February 2008
For more information call 13 22 81.
Residents need to look at their particular circumstances when considering the cost and benefits of installing a rainwater tank and internal plumbing. The ACT Government's Rainwater tank guidelines for residential properties in the ACT (2.3MB) provides information to assist.
Water Tank Rebates in Western Australia (WA)
Information not currently available
The information provided above is to be used as a guide only. Rebates are subject to change and certain eligibility criteria. Therefore the rainwater tank company will not be held liable for any change in rebate amounts.