Suppliers sought for Home Heating and Cooling Program

The Victorian government is once again looking for suppliers to join the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program. In response to industry feedback, applications are now open online, via VendorPanel, the government’s eProcurement Platform.

The program offers rebates to replace gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle split systems in low-income and vulnerable households. It plans to reach 250,000 households over the next three years, improving the thermal comfort of occupants, reducing their energy consumption, and helping the state transition away from gas.

Due to the amount of interest in the program from previous rounds, the government anticipates a large volume of applications, which will impact processing time. Suppliers registered through the online EOI (expression of interest) process will be prioritised. Suppliers are encouraged to have all the correct documentation prepared when they apply to ensure they do not experience unnecessary delays. 

Approved suppliers will continue to be required to provide an end-to-end service, and ensure appropriate licensing of installers, consumer protections and work quality in the upgrade of gas, electric and wood heaters with reverse-cycle air conditioners.

Thousands of rebates have been allocated. With thousands still available, however, the government notes that taking part in the program does not guarantee an increase in business. Suppliers are encouraged to take this into consideration before applying.

Applicants will only be eligible to become an approved supplier if they:

• Have been operating in the heating and cooling industry for at least two years
• Do not have any prior prosecutions registered with Energy Safe Victoria or the Victorian Building Authority (or an equivalent authority in another Australian jurisdiction) in the past year
• Do not have any prior prosecutions registered with WorkSafe Victoria (or an equivalent authority in another Australian jurisdiction) in the past three years
• Have in place occupational health and safety management processes that meet applicable legislative requirements
• Have in place an appropriate internal customer complaint-handling procedure that is fair, efficient and transparent
• Agree to a credit check, arranged by Solar Victoria, to confirm sound financial standing
• Are insured to the required value as set out by Solar Victoria in the eProcurement application form.  

Applicants are required to complete all sections of the application form, providing supporting documentation as required by Solar Victoria, to ensure they meet the above criteria. 

Also in response to industry feedback, the government notes that insurance requirements apply to the applicant/supplier under the program rather than each individual installer. The new application process has been developed to allow suppliers more time, should they need it, to source insurance applicable to the program. 

The online application option can be accessed through the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program website.

Applicants should click “Register as a Supplier”, then start the application submission via the VendorPanel.

The webpage also contains an extensive FAQ section, and an approved product list that will be refreshed in the coming weeks.