Rewiring Australia applauds the Australian Government for agreeing to an additional transformative $500 million investment by the Commonwealth to electrify and retrofit 50,000 social homes. This will deliver life-changing energy efficiency upgrades that will lower household bills, reduce emissions and improve health.
"Electrification is already smashing energy bills for millions of Australian consumers and this announcement will share that benefit to 50,000 households who most need it," said Rewiring Australia Executive Director Dan Cass. "Electrifying and retrofitting social housing tackles rising energy costs, reduces emissions and improves quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Australians.
"In 2023 Rewiring Australia first proposed a social housing electrification package co-funded by the Federal and State governments. This announcement builds on that policy. If states co-fund at 50% then this will deliver $1 billion.
"Electrifying homes will create healthier living environments, build climate resilience and put money back into the pockets of those who need it most.
"Household electrification is the fairest and shortest circuit to a clean energy system for Australia, with rooftop solar providing the world's cheapest delivered energy."
Rewiring Australia acknowledges the outstanding work of its partners in the Renew Australia for All coalition, which has strongly advocated for the electrification of low-income households.
The $500 million investment will expand the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative to reach a quarter of the country's social housing stock, and the program could reach $1 billion if states provide matching funding.
