How VEU Rebates Work for HVAC Installers and Homeowners in Victoria
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If you're an HVAC installer or a Victorian homeowner looking to upgrade your heating, cooling, or hot water system, the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program could save you a significant amount of money — upfront, at point of sale. No rebate forms to chase. No waiting for money back. The discount is built into the price your installer charges.
Here's everything you need to know about how the VEU program works, what products are eligible, and how Fastflex and our rebate partner 1st Energy Rebates can help you access it.
What is the VEU program?
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program is a Victorian Government initiative designed to help households and businesses cut their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It does this by providing upfront discounts on approved energy-efficient products — including reverse cycle air conditioning, ducted HVAC systems, and hot water heat pumps.
The program works through Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs). When an approved energy-efficient product is installed, accredited providers create VEECs representing the greenhouse gas reduction achieved. These certificates are sold to energy retailers, and the proceeds fund the upfront discount you receive on your upgrade.
The good news for anyone planning an upgrade: the Victorian Government has extended the VEU program through to 2045, giving households and businesses long-term certainty that these rebates aren't going away anytime soon.
How much can you save?
Rebate values vary depending on the type of upgrade, the system being replaced, and the specific product installed. The largest rebates are available for gas-to-electric conversions — particularly replacing old gas ducted heating with a reverse cycle ducted system. Here are some indicative savings:
| Upgrade type | Indicative rebate |
|---|---|
| Gas ducted heating → reverse cycle ducted AC | Up to $7,200 |
| Hot water heat pump upgrade | Up to $560 upfront |
| Annual energy bill savings (heat pump hot water) | Up to $400/year |
| Split system upgrade (reverse cycle) | Varies by model and kW rating |
Rebate values are indicative only and subject to change. Contact 1st Energy Rebates for current eligibility and amounts.
For homeowners — how to access VEU rebates
If you're a Victorian homeowner, landlord, or renter (with landlord approval for heating/cooling upgrades), here's how to access VEU discounts:
1. Check your eligibility. Your property must be in Victoria and the product must be on the ESC-approved product register. Retrospective rebates may be possible if applied within 6 months of the end of the calendar year the upgrade took place.
2. Choose a VEU-eligible product. Not all HVAC products qualify — only those on the ESC-approved register. Fastflex stocks a range of VEU-registered products across split systems, ducted AC, and hot water heat pumps. Browse our VEU-eligible range here.
3. Choose a VEU-registered installer. This is the most important step many homeowners miss. Your installer must be registered with an accredited VEU provider — ask before you book. An unregistered installer cannot process the rebate on your behalf.
4. Pay the discounted price. Once installed, your discount is applied upfront — you only pay the reduced amount. Your installer may ask you to complete some paperwork as part of the process.
From 31 March 2025, all products installed under the VEU program must include a 5-year warranty against defects from the date of installation — giving homeowners added peace of mind on their upgrade.
For HVAC installers — how to participate in VEU
For trade installers, the VEU program is a genuine business opportunity. It lets you offer your customers meaningful upfront savings on eligible products, win more work, and grow your bottom line — while contributing to Victoria's energy efficiency goals.
1. Register with 1st Energy Rebates. Fastflex's official VEU rebate partner is 1st Energy Rebates (Rebate M8) — a fully accredited VEU provider. They handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the install.
2. Source VEU-registered products from Fastflex. All VEU-eligible products in our range are clearly identified. As a Fastflex trade account holder, you'll receive exclusive wholesale pricing on the full range including VEU-registered products.
3. Complete the installation. Install the approved product and collect the required customer documentation on site. 1st Energy Rebates provides training and support to make this process straightforward.
4. Lodge via the Rebate M8 app. Use the Rebate M8 app to quickly and easily lodge your VEEC claim from your phone — fast, simple, and built specifically for busy installers in the field.
Why Fastflex for VEU products?
Fastflex is an official supply partner of 1st Energy Rebates, meaning our VEU-eligible products are already integrated into their accredited provider network. When you source from Fastflex and work with 1st Energy Rebates, the process is streamlined from product selection through to rebate lodgement.
We stock VEU-eligible products from trusted brands including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fujitsu General, Hitachi, Hisense, TCL, and more — with same day dispatch on orders placed before 1pm AEST from our Thomastown warehouse.
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Browse VEU-eligible products Split systems, ducted AC, hot water heat pumps Shop VEU products |
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For more information on the VEU program visit energy.vic.gov.au or contact 1st Energy Rebates on 03 9811 7043 or at 1stenergyrebates.com.au.