Queensland Business Energy Saving Upgrades Rebate

QLD Energy Upgrades Scheme

Read below to find out more about the government incentive schemes that are currently available in Queensland.

Check Your Eligibility Now

Enter your details and business suburb to check your eligibility.

The Queensland government is currently subsidizing electrical bills for eligible people

Unlock savings for your small to medium-sized Queensland business… QBEST Rebates available now for eligible Queensland businesses!

Don’t delay or you may miss out.

The latest round of QBEST Rebate funding is now open, and presents a great opportunity to upgrade your business equipment and/or appliances to energy efficient models! But… these rebates are only available until June 30th 2025, or the funding runs out, whichever happens first.

Be part of the initiative.

QBEST Rebates make it possible for Queensland businesses, like yours, to install energy efficient appliances and equipment. Grab the chance now to upgrade your older, less efficient equipment and appliances to new, more energy efficient, and more reliable, models.

Contribute to Queensland’s green targets PLUS lower your energy bills at the same time!

QBEST Rebates can save you up to 50% on energy-efficient upgrades to eligible equipment and appliances. That translates to significant savings (cash and carbon) for your business.

How The QBEST Rebate Works.

Don’t know how the Queensland Business Energy Savings and Transformation Scheme, AKA QBEST, works?

We do…

In fact, we have years of experience working with state governments and their energy efficiency rebate schemes! We know the eligibility criteria, and what equipment does and doesn’t qualify…

Contact Us: We’ll steer you through the upgrade process and ensure you:

1. Get the right eligible energy-efficient equipment and appliances to suit your requirements.
2. Save money, AND
3. Reduce your carbon footprint.

QBEST Quick Facts

Your time is precious so we’ve put together this quick list of what you need to know about QBEST.

· QBEST will refund 50% of the purchase price on eligible equipment and appliances purchased by your eligible business (Check Your Eligibility for QBEST Rebates and the Eligible Equipment And Appliances list)

· Available rebates range from $4,000 to $12,500

· Your company (must be private) must have an ABN and be registered for GST to be eligible.

· You can only apply for a rebate for one QLD location per ABN.

· Your minimum spend on eligible equipment/appliances must be at least $8,000 ex GST in order to qualify for the minimum $4,000 (50%) rebate.

· If you spend $25,000 on eligible equipment/appliances, you will qualify for the maximum $12,500 rebate

· If you spend more than $25,000, you will still only receive the maximum $12,500 rebate

· You can include multiple eligible items in your application so long as they are all installed at the same eligible business location but the $12,500 rebate cap for the total application still applies.

· The rebate is only available for equipment and appliances purchased DURING the scheme i.e. between October 5th 2023 and 30th June 2025.

· The rebate only applies to eligible energy efficient items purchased to update existing equipment/appliances unless otherwise specified.

· You must purchase, install, and pay for everything in full BEFORE you can apply for the rebate.

· You are required to provide documentary evidence of purchase and installation (if required) with your application.

· Equipment and appliances for which you have received other government funding (excluding loans) are not eligible.

Who Qualifies for the Queensland Government’s Energy Rebate?

Check Your Eligibility for QBEST Rebates!

The Queensland Government’s Energy Rebate is available for small to medium-sized private companies based and operating in Queensland. To qualify for the rebate, your business must:

· Be a PRIVATE (i.e. Propriety) company with its head office and business premises located and operating in Queensland

· Employ between 2 and 199 FULL-TIME staff (or the equivalent) including yourself as the business owner

· Be registered for GST

· Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

– Only ONE location per ABN is eligible so if your ABN covers multiple locations or branches, you must choose 1 location/branch to apply for

– If your business has multiple locations and each has their own ABN i.e. franchises, each location is eligible.

· Be fully operational already: the rebate does not apply to equipment or appliances bought to start a new business

· Not have received any type of other funding for similar equipment and appliances previously (note – loans from federal / state / local government to purchase equipment are not considered ‘funding’ in this context)

If your business meets all these criteria, it likely qualifies for the Queensland Government’s Energy Rebate! However, be 100% sure; use the ‘Check My Eligibility‘ form.

Upgrade to LED: Warehouse, Office, and Retail Lighting Solutions with QLD Energy Rebates

Old, inefficient lighting is one of the biggest contributors to an expensive power bill. If you still have old metal halide and fluorescent lights, they are chewing power and contributing to our environmental woes. They are also exactly the type of lighting QBEST wants to replace…

NOW is the perfect time to consider upgrading these dinosaurs to modern, energy-efficient LEDs through the QLD Energy rebates! Not only will this significantly reduce the amount of power your lighting uses but you’ll also reduce your carbon emissions at the same time.

For example, the LEDs we will install are around 60% more energy efficient, will last longer, AND improve the quality of your lighting as well. That’s good news for your power bill, your eyesight, AND the environment!

Why Upgrade To Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)?

Why are LED high bay lights and LED lights in general so much better, in so many ways, than traditional lighting sources?

LEDs are more energy efficient

LEDs don’t waste a ton of energy getting hot like old lights do. They convert it into light instead and thus produce far more light for the same amount of energy used (lumens per watt). This means old lighting can be replaced by much lower wattage/much more energy-efficient LEDs without sacrificing any light quality.

An 8 – 12W LED for example produces the same amount of light as a 60W incandescent globe. A modern 100W LED high bay produces as much as a 400W metal halide. A 26W LED tube can replace a 76W fluorescent tube, and so on.

LEDS live longer

LEDs last up to 25 times longer than older lights because they:

· Are solid-state and don’t have fragile glass components and filaments.

· Don’t use filaments to produce light. Filaments in incandescent globes produce light when electricity passes through them but they also heat up, which causes them to degrade.

· Contain highly durable semiconductor materials that are designed to withstand a range of conditions – temperature changes, vibrations, and so on.

· Convert most of the power they use into light rather than component-damaging heat.

· Reach full brightness without needing to warm up, reducing heat stress on components.

LEDS don’t waste light (and heat) by shedding it in all directions

LEDs do what we call ‘directional lighting’. They emit light in a specific direction rather than dispersing light AND heat in all directions. This means they waste less light and thus energy. They also don’t need reflectors to direct light to where it needs to go, which is an additional energy wasting aspect of metal halide lights.

LEDs don’t waste energy warming up

LEDs are designed to reach full brightness as soon as they are turned on so don’t waste energy warming up. They can also be dimmed without affecting their durability, which puts control over their energy consumption in your hands.

Calculate Your Cost Savings with Energy-Efficient Equipment Upgrades QLD

Talk to us about potential cost savings, and maximise your energy savings with energy-efficient QBEST eligible equipment upgrades!

LEDs Save A Lot Of Money And Energy In Large Area Lighting

Warehouses, industrial premises, parking lots, offices, retail spaces – they all need a lot of lighting. Installing LEDs in large spaces is where lighting upgrades become a major game changer in terms of environmental impact, energy use, and cost savings. We’re talking thousands… of kgCO2e avoided and dollars recouped in running costs annually vs a few hundred in a single residential situation.

QBEST Warehouse Lighting Upgrades

Through our QLD Business Lighting Solutions, we will upgrade your old warehouse lighting from inefficient, expensive 400W metal halide dinosaurs to modern energy efficient 100W LED high bays.

This might seem like a negative trade-off in terms of light quality but remember – modern LEDs are specifically designed to produce MORE light using LESS power. They are in fact around 60% more efficient in this regard.

They also last longer, and require minimal maintenance, all of which is very good news for your bank balance and the environment!

QBEST Office/Retail Lighting Upgrades

Fluorescent lights were all the rage for energy-conscious consumers (once upon a time) and they served their purpose well but times have changed. Today, replacing old 76W fluoros with energy-efficient 25W LEDs is a smart move financially and environmentally. Not only are they at least 80% more effective than older types of lighting, they’ll also last longer and require less maintenance – an additional saving to your bottom line.

QBEST Air-conditioning Upgrades

The Energy-Efficient Equipment Upgrades QLD also covers air-conditioning. Old air-conditioners are environmentally unfriendly and extremely inefficient when it comes to energy consumption, even if they’re still (kind of) doing their job. In fact, this is one situation where that old adage ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ definitely shouldn’t apply!

If you are doing some other QBEST rebate upgrades, like installing energy-efficient LED lighting, why not use the opportunity to upgrade to modern, energy-efficient air-conditioning as well.

QBEST Refrigeration Upgrades

Like air-conditioning, commercial refrigeration equipment is notoriously expensive to run and contributes a huge chunk to your energy bill. Therefore, it makes sense to consider replacing old units with newer, more energy efficient GEMS-registered ones. Even if they ‘ain’t broke’…

As a rule of thumb – if your existing units pre-date the new GEMS compliance regulations that came into effect in May 2021, there are probably more efficient (and compliant) models now available. It’s certainly worth checking because a QBEST rebate is an ideal opportunity to upgrade them. You can use the GEMS register to find energy compliant models, or contact us for advice, but before you do, check your eligibility for a rebate.

Guide to the Queensland Energy Saving Scheme for Small Businesses

We know navigating government schemes and websites can be confusing so we’ve provided an easy to understand, step by step guide to the Queensland Energy Saving Scheme for Small Businesses. Here’s how it works:

1. Use the ‘Check My Eligibility‘ form on this page to confirm your business is eligible for QBEST.

2. Visit the QLD Business website to check that the rebate is still available because each round closes when funding runs out, with the entire scheme scheduled to finish on June 30th 2025.

3. Do your homework and use the ‘Eligible Equipment And Appliances’ list to help choose your equipment because anything you buy that is not on the list will not be eligible for the rebate.

4. Use the energy rebate and savings calculator to work out if your chosen items will actually produce positive energy savings for your business. Save a copy of your calculations to submit with your application.

Eligible equipment and appliances must do 3 things to qualify for the rebate:

1. Result in savings on your power bill,

2. Reduce your energy use; and

3. Reduce your carbon emissions.

In other words, you can’t simply replace like for like in terms of energy consumption and efficiency, even if the product you intend to purchase is a newer, later model. It must perform better and reduce your energy consumption to be eligible for a rebate.

5. Buy your eligible more energy efficient equipment or appliance. Keep all the invoices and receipts/proof of payment, as they must be submitted with your application. If you purchase ineligible items at the same time, request separate invoices/receipts for those. Your invoice/receipt must show:

· Date of purchase

· Proof of payment

· The name, address, and ABN of the company that issued the receipt

· An itemised list of the products you bought that includes pertinent information, like model numbers, so they can be cross referenced against the Eligible Equipment And Appliances list

6. Get your eligible equipment and/or appliances installed if they require installation. An appropriately licensed contractor must perform any and all work that requires specialist installation i.e. plumbing, electrical etc. Ensure you receive documentation that shows:

· Date and location of premises where it is installed

· The name and license details of the contractor who did the installation work

· Where applicable, a description of the old equipment that was replaced

Do NOT include any ineligible equipment you had installed at the same time

7. Double check that you have

· Confirmed your business is eligible

· Checked there is still funding available

· Chosen eligible products from the Eligible Equipment / Appliances List that provides energy savings for your business

· Made a copy of your calculations from the energy rebate and savings calculator

· Itemised receipts for your eligible equipment or appliance purchases

· Itemised receipts and contractor details for the installation of your eligible equipment if specialist installation was required 8. Apply online by visiting the QRIDA online application page – all applications must be submitted via this portal.

Have any queries, or require assistance with your Queensland Energy Saving Scheme for Small Businesses application? We can help you maximise your energy savings, and ensure you are compliant.

Elevate Your QLD Business with High-Efficiency LED, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Upgrades

Is your Queensland business up to the challenge of a modernising energy makeover?

The Queensland Business Energy Saving Upgrades Rebates herald a brighter, more efficient future for eligible QLD businesses so now is the time to explore your energy-saving, carbon-reducing options.

Consider upgrading energy-intensive items – lighting, air-conditioning, refrigeration – to more energy-efficient models to reduce your energy consumption, save money on energy bills, and improve your business performance.

A QBEST rebate will help you:

· Improve your workspace lighting with a high-efficiency LED lighting upgrade.

· Improve your working environment with upgraded, more efficient air conditioning.

· Ensure your refrigeration equipment is up to code and as energy-efficient as possible.

· Replace older motors and other equipment with modern, energy-efficient models.

QBEST – A Comprehensive Energy Solution

QBEST encourages you to combine a range of energy-efficient upgrades to make up the minimum spend of $8,000 (maximum $25,000) ex GST. Eligible businesses that install eligible appliances and equipment will get 50% of that back, up to the $12,500 cap ex GST.

QBEST is your opportunity to implement energy-efficient business solutions and:

· Align your business with the Queensland government’s sustainability goals,

· Reduce your own environmental footprint; and

· Reduce your business’s energy-related expenses

Find more information on our other pages

QLD Government Appliance Rebate for Businesses (QBEST) Program

Learn more by clicking the link below:

www.qld.gov.au/energy-concessions/electricity-gas-rebates

If you are a business owner or home owner located in QLD, Efficient Energy Group can help save you both time and money by providing huge discounts to both commercial and residential projects through the Australian Government Energy Saving Scheme. (ESS)