About the Program

The Australian Government's Green Loans Program will assist Australian families to install solar, water saving, and energy efficient products.

• detailed, quality household sustainability assessments
• green renovations packs
• access to low interest Green Loans of up to $10,000 each.

This $300 million five year program will commence in mid 2009.

Firstly, households looking to save energy and water will have access to a qualified household sustainability assessor to investigate their current energy and water use. Households who participate in a household sustainability assessment will be provided with a tailored report on the best water and energy saving changes they can make to their property and a green renovation pack of simple devices and practical information to help get them started.

Secondly, the program will help households who chose to undertake actions suggested by the assessment with a Green Loan subsidy to significantly reduce the cost of loans of up to $10,000. The loans will be made available through partnering financial institutions. Details on the terms of loans will be available in 2009.

This innovative program will help an estimated 200,000 Australian home owners to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by around 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2020. In addition, the program will encourage an estimated $2 billion in green inspired investment for households - directly benefiting the small business sector.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is finalising the program guidelines which will set out eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements. The guidelines will be released early in 2009 with the first assessments and loans expected to be available in mid 2009.

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