Small Business Rebates - Eligible Products
The water use behaviours and practices of Victoria’s small business sector is very diverse. Therefore, the use of a schedule to set out the eligible products allows the rebate program to provide a range of products to assist many types of businesses.
This provides the small business with an opportunity to install the number of products or a mix of products needed to best improve the water efficiency of the business rather than just installing a single or limited number of a product type.
The table below outlines the products and services and their minimum standards that are eligible for the small business rebate:
| Eligible Product or Service |
Conditions and Minimum Standards |
| Rainwater tanks |
Total capacity of rainwater tanks must be 2000 Litres or greater and connected to toilet, laundry or other business process requiring year around water use. Rainwater tank must be designed and manufactured to Australian Standards. |
| Dual Flush toilets |
Upgrade to 3 Star WELS rated or better dual flush toilet, rebate only for replacement of existing toilet(s). |
| Pre-rinse nozzles |
Upgrade to 6 L/min or less, 6 Star WELS rated, rebate for replacement of existing pre-rinse nozzle(s). |
| Water efficient washing machines |
Domestic type – 5 Star WELS rated or better and 4 star energy rated, rebate for replacement of an existing washing machine. Commercial/industrial type – Front load, has an inverter rather than a twin motor, rebate for replacement of an existing washing machine. |
| Commercial Glass Washers |
Glass Washers must recycle rinse water, needs to carry a certificate of conformance or meet standards referenced in the Australian food industry. Rebate for replacement of existing glass washer. |
| Water efficient dishwashers |
Domestic type – 4 Star WELS rated or better, rebate for replacement of existing dishwasher. Commercial/industrial type – Must recycle rinse water and needs to carry a certificate of conformance or meet standards referenced in the Australian food industry, rebate for replacement of existing dishwasher. |
| Waterless Wok stove |
Rebate for replacement of existing wok stove. |
| Commercial high pressure water cleaners |
High pressure cleaner must use 9 L/min or less of water. |
| Waterless or low flow urinals |
5 Star WELS rated or better, waterless urinals are eligible, rebate for replacement or upgrade of existing urinal. |
| Showerheads |
Showerhead must be 3 Star WELS rated or better, use 9 L/min or less of water, rebate for replacement of existing showerhead(s). |
| Showertimers/automatic shut-off valves |
Must shut off showers or other water using devices at after a pre-set time. |
| Permanent Greywater Treatment Systems |
Greywater treatment system must be EPA approved and listed on the EPA website at www.epa.vic.gov.au. |
| Mains connected toilet flush valve |
For the upgrade to a flush valve to provide an equivalent to 6/3 L/flush for an existing toilet installation. |
| Water data loggers/check meter for water management |
Water data loggers or check meters to monitor the use of water within a section of the business. |
| Flow control devices |
Flow control devices to restrict flow 9 L/min or less. |
| Hot water recirculators |
Devices that return cold water to the business's water system to avoid the loss of cold water in the hot water pipes. |
| Pool covers with roller/reel for covering |
Pool covers must have a Smart Approved WaterMark, be UV stabilised and at least 400 microns in thickness and include a roller or reel to assist in covering the pool. |
| Automatic rainwater tank to mains water switching system |
A device to automatically switch from the use of rainwater from a tank to mains water when a tank is empty. |
| Laundry systems using ozone technology |
Must meet AS/NZ 4146:2000 standard for disinfection and include a fail safe shut off. |
| Condensate recovery systems |
Rebate for replacement of existing or faulty condensate recovery system equipment with water efficient system. |
| Hand held rinse sprays - eg. hairdressing |
Nozzles or devices used to rinse a product or client, must use 9 litres a minute or less of water, rebate for replacement of existing hand held rinse spray or nozzle. |
| Process water reuse |
Must provide a Risk Assessment and meet Australian water reuse and EPA guidelines, business must consult with water supplier prior to implementing a process water reuse. |
| Water efficient combi steamers |
Rebate for replacement of existing combi steamer with water efficient steamer. |
Plumbing Requirements
All rainwater tanks, permanent greywater systems, hot water recirculators, dual-flush toilets and cisterns and tank to the toilet connections must be installed by a licensed plumber. Where required, a Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) certificate of compliance must be supplied.
A PIC certificate is a Plumbing Industry Commission certificate of compliance that is supplied by a licensed plumber. A PIC certificate must be included with the rebate application if the total value of the product, materials and associated plumbing is greater than $750. Ask your plumber to supply you with a PIC certificate on completion of works.
Australian Standards for rainwater tanks
Rainwater tanks must also be designed and manufactured to the relevant Australian Standards to be eligible for a rebate under this scheme. Rainwater tanks must be certified to the relevant Australian Standards before 1 July 2012 to be eligible for a rebate after this date.