Rainwater Rebates - You can take advantage of both State and Federal Rebates
The Rainwater Tank Rebate is available for the installation of any new rainwater storage system in residential properties in NSW. You can claim both rebates if your new tank is connected to a toilet or washing machine. The combination of the two rebates provides Hunter households with up to $2,000 back on rainwater tanks.
State Government
The State Government is offering a rebate of up to $1,500 for the installation of a rainwater tank. The rebate is based on the size of the tank and whether it is plumbed to your toilet and/or washing machine. The purpose of the rebate is to save drinking water by encouraging householders to install a tank to collect water to flush toilets and wash clothes. The rebate is as follows:
| Tank(s) capacity | Rebate | Connect to toilet(s) | Connect to washing machine(s) | Total rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 to 3,999 Litres | $150 | $500 | $500 | $1,150 |
| 4,000 to 6,999 Litres | $400 | $500 | $500 | $1,400 |
| 7,000 Litres and above | $500 | $500 | $500 | $1,500 |
The rebate is available from 1 October 2007 to 30 June 2011.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the State Government rainwater tank rebate, you must meet the following key criteria:
- Be the owner of the residential property
- Property where rainwater tank is installed must be located in NSW
- Was paid in full and installed on or after 1 July 2007 and before 30 June 2011
- Has a minimum total capacity of 2,000 litres (note: this capacity must be reserved for rainwater only and excludes any capacity reserved for portable top-up)
- Rainwater tank must be new
- Rainwater tank is covered by a minimum 12 month warranty
- Rainwater tank must be used solely for the collection and storage of rainwater for use on the property (note: rainwater is water collected from roof guttering and downpipes)
- Tank must be connected to an appropriate roof area
- Has all associated plumbing work completed by a licensed plumber
- Meet all relevant standards, the NSW Code of Practice for Plumbing and Drainage, backflow prevention and local Council and water utility requirements (note: in the Hunter the water utility is Hunter Water)
- Rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX* (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes or major renovations are not eligible for a rebate.
- A stormwater retention tank(s) that is designed only for stormwater management is not eligible for a rebate.
- Rainwater tanks which store water solely for fire-fighting purposes are not eligible for a rebate.
- Rainwater tanks installed as part of a pool installation is not eligible for the rebate.
Requirements
Hunter Water must be notified of a rainwater tank being installed on your property. If you are not connecting your new rainwater tank to your home's plumbing then you are only required to submit the rebate application form and the original invoice for the purchase of the tank to Hunter Water. Hunter Water will update their records and will forward the application and invoice to Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water on your behalf.
However, if you are connecting your rainwater tank to toilet(s) and/or washing machine(s) you are required to forward your application form, original tax invoice and the Compliance Certificate (the plumber who connects your tank to your homes plumbing will issue this certificate). Hunter Water will then need to inspect the rainwater tank installation (you will be required to pay an inspection fee) prior to forwarding your application to Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
What if you are a landlord or tenant, or live in an apartment, unit or townhouse?
The State Government rebate is allocated per property, not per person. This means that each property in NSW wishing to install a new rainwater tank can obtain the rebate regardless of whether the property is a rental property and the owner has already obtain the rebate for another property in NSW.
If you are installing a rainwater tank entirely within your property, you are eligibly for the rebate. If the rainwater tank is in a unit or strata on common property and is not connected into toilets or washing machines, you are only eligible for a rebate based on the size of the tank. However if the rainwater tank installed in a unit or strata on common property is connected into a toilet or washing machine, contact the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water for more information about your rebate.
For more information and to download an application form, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates or contact the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water Environment Line on 1300 361 967 or email to rebates@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Important information
- As of 15 January 2010, the total amount of NSW Home Saver Rebates a household can receive must not exceed $1500 per property.
Federal Goverment
Under the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative the Federal Government is offering the following household rebates:
- $400 for a new 2,000 to 3,999 litre capacity rainwater tank (the minimum capacity may be reached by installing two or more smaller tanks), connected to household plumbing for indoor use.
- $500 for a new 4,000 litre or larger capacity rainwater tank, connected to household plumbing for indoor use.
- Up to $500 for the installation of a new permanent greywater treatment system.
The rebate is offered from 30 January 2009 to 31 March 2014.
You can not access this rebate if you have previously accessed it. i.e. you can't claim the rebate for both the rainwater tank and the greywater system.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Federal Government National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative: Household Rebate, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be the owner of the principal place of residence (can not be owned by a State, Territory or Commonwealth Authority) where the tank or system was installed.
- Be the purchaser of the tank or system or have written permission from the purchaser to apply for the rebate.
- Dwelling where the rainwater tank or greywater system is installed must be an existing dwelling (not under construction)
- Dwelling must be connected to mains water supply
- Rainwater tank and greywater system must be brand new
- Must be connect to the dwelling for indoor use (i.e. toilet(s), machine machine(s)) and must be installed by a licensed plumber.
- Must meet relevant standards and government requirements such as local building restrictions and regulations.
- Submit the completed application form and a copy of the proof of purchase (i.e. receipt) within six (6) months of the date of purchase of the rainwater tank or greywater system.
Remember, Hunter Water will need to inspect your rainwater tank before submitting the rebate application form.
What if you are a landlord or tenant?
Similar to the State Government rebate, the Federal Rebate is allocated once per property.
For more information and to download an application form, visit www.environment.gov.au/water or call 1800 808 571.
Due to the high number of people applying for the State and Federal Government Rebates, it can take approximately 90 days from receiving the completed application form and receipt(s) for the State and Federal Government to send applicants their rebate cheque.
Click here to go to the Rainwater Tank page, which provides more detailed information.
