The Justice and Equity Centre responded to the NSW Government’s proposed updates to the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), which helps households and businesses cut energy costs and reduce emissions. As NSW transitions to cleaner energy, it’s vital that the ESS evolves to deliver long-term, equitable benefits—especially for those facing disadvantage.
Our submission supports the proposed changes and recommends further reforms to improve the scheme’s impact. These include phasing out outdated incentives for lighting and gas appliances, strengthening product and installation standards for heat pump hot water systems, and promoting demand response through smarter air conditioning.
We also call for stronger consumer protections, including a ban on telemarketing and door-to-door sales, which often target vulnerable households. Instead, the scheme should be delivered through trusted channels like ServiceNSW and social service providers.
To ensure the ESS supports informed, future-focused decisions, we recommend updating certificate conversion factors to reflect the rapidly decarbonising electricity grid.
These reforms will help make energy efficiency upgrades safer, fairer, and more effective—supporting a cleaner, more affordable energy future for all NSW households.
