Victorian Energy Upgrades Program (VEU)
The Victorian Energy Upgrades program helps Victorian households and businesses reduce energy costs through discounted energy-efficient products and services. We connect you with accredited consultants and providers who can help you access these benefits.
What Is the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program?
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, formerly known as the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme, is a state government initiative administered by the Essential Services Commission. It creates a market-based mechanism that incentivises energy retailers and accredited providers to offer discounted energy-efficient products and services to Victorian households and businesses.
Under the VEU program, accredited providers install energy-efficient products at significantly reduced costs or even for free. In return, they create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) based on the estimated greenhouse gas reductions achieved. These certificates are then sold to energy retailers who are required to surrender a set number of certificates each year under the scheme.
The program has been operational since 2009 and has delivered millions of energy-efficient upgrades to Victorian properties, reducing both energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions across the state.
Eligible Upgrades Under VEU
The VEU program covers a wide range of energy-efficient products and services for both residential and commercial properties. Eligible upgrades include:
- Lighting upgrades — Replacement of inefficient halogen and fluorescent lighting with LED alternatives for homes and businesses.
- Space heating and cooling — Installation of high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioners, ducted heating systems, and heat pump systems to replace older, less efficient units.
- Water heating — Replacement of electric or gas storage hot water systems with heat pump hot water systems, which can reduce water heating energy use by up to 65 per cent.
- Insulation — Installation of ceiling, wall, and underfloor insulation to reduce heating and cooling energy demand.
- Draught sealing — Professional draught proofing of doors, windows, and other openings to reduce unwanted air leakage.
- Commercial refrigeration — Upgrades to energy-efficient commercial refrigeration and cold storage systems.
- Building management systems — Installation or optimisation of building energy management and control systems for commercial properties.
How to Access the VEU Program
Accessing the VEU program is straightforward. You do not need to apply directly to the government. Instead, you work with accredited providers who are registered under the scheme. Here is how the process typically works:
- Contact an accredited provider — Reach out to a VEU-accredited provider or use our consultant finder tool to locate one in your area.
- Assessment — The provider assesses your property to determine which upgrades are eligible and will deliver the greatest benefit.
- Installation — The provider installs the approved products, often at a significant discount or at no cost to you.
- Certificate creation — The provider creates VEECs based on the estimated energy savings and manages all compliance paperwork.
Who Is Eligible?
The VEU program is available to all Victorian households and businesses. Both owner-occupiers and tenants can access the program, though tenant installations typically require landlord consent. Commercial properties of all sizes are eligible, from small retail shops to large industrial facilities. There is no income test or means test — the program is available to everyone in Victoria.
Finding Accredited Providers
It is essential to work with providers who are genuinely accredited under the VEU scheme. We connect you with verified, accredited consultants and providers who operate under the program. This ensures you receive genuine discounts, quality installations, and full compliance with scheme requirements.