Water rebates
Water rebates scheme - Frequently asked questions
- Where can I get more information about the schemes?
- Who is eligible?
- What about areas on water restrictions?
- What about mandatory requirements?
- When can I get a rebate?
- How will I know if the product or service is eligible?
- I live in an area where the council already gives rebates for tanks and water saving devices. Can I get money from the Queensland Government as well?
- What about if I live in an area where there is no reticulated water supply?
- Why are these rebates being provided?
- How will I know which brands of product, like washing machines, attract the rebate?
- How can greywater be used when the government has said it's a health risk?
- What are you doing to help business and industry be more efficient?
Where can I get more information about the schemes?
Visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website or call the Queensland Government Hotline on 1800 243 585 for more detailed information.
Who is eligible?
The current owner or tenant of a residential property located in Queensland in which the water efficient device or product has been installed or established. To be eligible for a rebate, the terms and conditions must be met.
What about areas on water restrictions?
Water restrictions do not apply when your rainwater tank holds rainwater only. If you top up your tank using town water, water restrictions apply.
The Queensland Government’s Water Commission will continue to monitor water restrictions.
The need for greater indoor water efficiency was identified as part of the South-East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy. Regional water supply strategies are the Queensland Government’s approach to ensuring short and long term water supply security on a regional basis. For more information visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
What about mandatory requirements?
Rebates will not be paid where a water-efficient device is a mandatory requirement imposed by state or local governments. For more information call the Queensland Government Hotline on 1800 243 585.
When can I get a rebate?
The rebate scheme in South East Queensland began on 1 July 2006 with rebates available for products purchased from 13 June 2006 to 30 June 2009. Rebates became available for the remainder of Queensland from 16 August 2006 to 30 June 2009. The garden component of the scheme will end on 17 December 2008. No purchases or services supplied before and after the relevant dates are eligible for rebates.
How will I know if the product or service is eligible?
Visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website or call the Queensland Government Hotline on 1800 243 585 for information.
I live in an area where the council already gives rebates for tanks and water saving devices. Can I get money from the Queensland Government as well?
Yes. The Queensland Government's rebates are intended to complement and build upon existing local government rebate schemes. If you apply for a rebate from the Queensland Government you must tell us if you have claimed, intend to claim or received a rebate from your local council.
From 1 February 2008, the Queensland Government increased the rebate up to $1500 when you have a rainwater tank internally plumbed into your home to use rainwater to flush toilets and wash clothes. The tank must be plumbed by a plumber licensed in Queensland.
What about if I live in an area where there is no reticulated water supply?
Owners and tenants of Queensland residential properties where mains water is not available are not eligible to claim a rebate for a rainwater tank. The priority of the initiative is to reduce the demand of reticulated water supplies. However, rebates are available for other water-efficient devices and products. For more information call the Queensland Government Hotline on 1800 243 585.
Why are these rebates being provided?
The drought is the worst in 100 years and dam levels across the south-east region are low. While water restrictions will help ease consumption, we can all do more.
The schemes will help people living in the south-east conserve enough water to fill something like 17 Olympic-size swimming pools a day.
How will I know which brands of product, like washing machines, attract the rebate?
All washing machines, toilets and showers will carry a star rating to identify their water efficiency level. Washing machines with a water efficiency rating of four or more stars qualify for a rebate of up to $200. This will make it much easier for shoppers to identify and buy appliances that are more water efficient.
How can greywater be used when the government has said it's a health risk?
It is important that anyone using greywater does so with care.
Only greywater diversion devices and systems that have the approval of your council - to comply with appropriate health safeguards - will be eligible for the Queensland Government rebate. The Queensland Government is working to provide a system of state-wide approvals for particular types of greywater systems.
For more advice and approval you must contact your local council. For more information on gardening with greywater visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
What are you doing to help business and industry be more efficient?
The government's efficiency initiatives for South-East Queensland also include subsidised water audits and retrofits for the region's major non-residential water users.
Businesses will be encouraged to undertake water efficiency management plans. This would involve an audit of the business to identify how much water is being used and where measures could be introduced to save water.
New, water efficient technology is being developed for industry. For instance commercial laundries can install new technology that reuses final rinse water in the pre-wash cycle. That saves a large amount of water.
Total funding of $40 million has been allocated to encourage businesses and industry to develop Water Efficiency Management Plans. In certain situations, subsidies will be available to assist businesses to implement water saving measures identified in these plans.
Last reviewed 30 June 2008
Other languages