How do these rebates work?
None of them is a cheque from the government. Each state sets a target for energy saving, and an accredited provider who installs an eligible upgrade earns certificates for the energy it saves. The provider sells the certificates and passes some of the value on as a discount on the quote.
Two things follow. The discount depends on the certificate price on the day, so it moves. And only an accredited provider, installing products on the scheme's accepted list, can create the certificates.
What is available in each state?
| State | Scheme | Store lighting, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Energy Savings Scheme | The Commercial Lighting method ended on 31 March 2026. Some small business upgrades remain; eligibility is checked by an accredited provider |
| Victoria | Victorian Energy Upgrades | Business lighting upgrades are still covered (activities 34 and 35) |
| South Australia | Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme | Second period runs 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. Energy retailers choose which activities they offer |
| ACT | Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme | Runs to 31 December 2030. Retailers deliver upgrades to households and small to medium businesses |
| QLD, WA, TAS, NT | None of this kind | No state certificate scheme for store lighting |
What changed in NSW?
The NSW Energy Savings Scheme paid for commercial LED upgrades through its Commercial Lighting method for years. IPART stopped accepting new accreditations for the method from 12 September 2025, and the method ended on 31 March 2026. Upgrades and certificate registrations had to be completed by that date.
A quote for a NSW store that still shows a commercial lighting certificate discount should be questioned before it is signed.
Should a rebate decide the upgrade?
No. A fleet upgrade should stand up on its own energy and maintenance savings, priced per store. Treat any certificate discount as a bonus that is confirmed in writing on the quote, for that store, at the time of signing.
It also pays to keep one fitting and colour standard across the fleet rather than let each state's rebate pick the product. A cheap fitting chosen for a discount is still the fitting the store looks at for the next ten years.
Doing it across a store fleet
Composite example
A retailer with stores in Victoria, NSW and Queensland plans an LED upgrade. The fitting schedule and colour temperature are set once for every store. Victorian stores are quoted with and without the VEU discount, and the discount is only counted once it appears on the provider's quote. NSW and Queensland stores are priced on their energy savings alone.
Stores are staged by energy use, worst first, and each one closes with before and after photos, plus energy readings where the retailer wants the saving evidenced.
