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Rainwater Tank Rebates

A rainwater tank is an excellent way to save water in your home, with the installation of the tank helping both the environment and your hip pocket. However, the tank does require an initial outlay but there are rebates available to help ease the burden. The remainder of the cost will be recouped over time in the form of cheaper water bills. Read on to find out about rebates that are available in your state or territory.

Rainwater Tank Rebates in New South Wales

Sydney Water offers rebates of up to $650 for the installation of rainwater tanks to existing homes. This rebate is available for the installation of any new rainwater storage system in residential properties in NSW. Your local council may offer rebates for the installation of rainwater collection systems.

Be aware that the tank must have a minimum 2000 litre capacity and be purchased in full and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009. If your home is not connected to mains water, you are only eligible for the rebate for the purchase of the tank only.

A tank between 2000 and 3999 litres gets a $150 rebate, plus $500 for connection to the toilet, and $500 for connection to the washing machine for a total of $1150. Between 4000 and 6999 litres sees a rebate of $400, plus $500 each for connection to toilets and washing machines for a maximum rebate of $1400. A tank 7000+ litres gets a $500 rebate, plus $500 each for connection to the toilet and washing machine for a maximum total rebate of $1500.

Sydney Water customers apply for the rebate through Sydney Water while customers of all other NSW water utilities apply through the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).

Rainwater Tank Rebates in Victoria

The rainwater tank rebates in Victoria are as following:

• $150 for a tank 600 litres or greater and an additional $150 for toilet connection
• $500 for a tank 2000-4999 litres connected to the toilet and/or laundry
• $900 for a tank 5000+ litres connected to the toilet or laundry
• $1000 for a tank 5000+ litres connected to the toilet and laundry

Before buying or installing a rainwater tank, check the health, building or council regulations in your area. To qualify for the rebates, your tank needs to be installed by a licensed plumber.

Rainwater Tank Rebates in Queensland

In South-East Queensland, the state government has announced the Home Water Wise Rebate Scheme. This gives a rebate of $1000 for rainwater tanks, pumps and diverters, and installation. To qualify for the rebate, the installation of the tank needs to meet the QLD Development Code (Part 25). The $1000 rebate applies to rainwater tanks which were ordered on or before 31 January 2008 and installed on or before March 31 2008, regardless of whether they are plumbed internally. From 1 February 2008, the rebate for rainwater tanks increased to $1500 and is only available for tanks 3000+ litres which are internally plumbed to either a laundry cold water tap or toilet suite.

The Brisbane City Council may offer an additional rebate of up to $850. The Gold Coast City Council will offer a rebate when you install a rainwater collection system to an existing home under the QLD State Government Program. The Toowoomba City Council offer additional rebates of up to $500. The Pine Rivers Shire Council offer rebates of up to $500. Check your local council to see if a rebate is available.

Rainwater Tank Rebates in the Australian Capital Territory

The ACT government offers rebates for the installation of eligible rainwater tanks with an internal plumbing connection on properties that are connected to the ACTEW Corporation’s water supply network. If the tank is installed on or after 1 February 2008, a tank 2000-3999 litres gets a rebate of $750; a tank 4000-8999 litres gets $900; and a tank 9000+ litres gets $1000. If you have an existing tank, the rebate for plumbing the tank to an internal fixture such as a toilet or washing machine is $600.

If your tank was installed on or before January 31 2008, a tank 2000-3999 litres gets a rebate of $550; a tank 4000-8999 litres gets a rebate of $700; and a tank 9000+ litres gets a rebate of $800. The internal connection to the toilet or washing machine gets a rebate of $400.

Rainwater Tank Rebates in South Australia

A rebate of between $200 and $1000 is offered towards the cost of purchasing and installing a rainwater tank for use in toilets, washing machines and for hot water. You can get up to $800 for a new rainwater tank installed into an eligible home. Up to $600 is available for plumbing into one eligible fixture type (plumbing an existing rainwater tank into an eligible home). $200 is available for adding an additional rainwater tank or replacement water tank that is already plumbed into the existing system. $200 extra is available for new plumbing by a licensed plumber to supply rainwater to two or more types of eligible fixtures, and/or an eligible seamless automatic switching device.

Rainwater Tank Rebates in Western Australia

A rebate of up to $600 or 50 percent (whichever amount is lesser), is available for a rainwater tank that is plumbed into the home and has a capacity of 2000+ litres.