Rebate Slashed!
Roof Insulation Rebate Slashed to $1200 from Nov. 1st
Peter Garrett, the federal government environment minister announced, without warning, on the 1st November that the government stimulus roof insulation rebate would be slashed from $1600 to $1200 with immediate effect.
He cited a number of reasons, including increasing competition between insulation installers, increasing safety – both for the household and the insulation installers but most likely is that the government probably realized that their largesse was open to some abuse by cowboy insulation installers and wanted to rein them in.
With the demand for roof insulation outstripping supply of both materials and qualified labour, the reduction in the rebate to $1200 could easily be seen as a method to slow the demand and to also provide more competition to weed out any dodgy installers rorting the system.
It is no coincidence that since 1st July over a 120 installers have been struck off the list of registered installers and many in the industry suggest this is just the tip of the iceberg. This doesn’t mean they won’t still be out there installing insulation but that they are no longer registered so ensure you check each companies credentials.
The changes to improve safety measures will be, on the whole, welcomed by the insulation industry and the wider community. However, the reduction in the roof insulation rebate amount and new competition initiatives make it appear the government is having a knee jerk reaction to the success of the programme – As these changes will also harm homeowners who have not yet received the rebate and those insulation installers that have acted responsibly.
In fact, most of these new measures would probably not have been necessary had the government not allowed so many inexperienced operators to start up a roof insulation business and be registered as an government authorised installer, simply by completing a 2 day course.
This website has always promoted and recommended using professional insulation installers that were in business before the roof insulation rebate was announced, because their background is in insulation installation and not bricklaying or landscaping!
It is obvious that with a professional insulation installation company, homeowners can expect a better and safer service and a more effective insulation installation than from someone who has limited experience and is just out to make a quick buck.
Effective 1 November:
- Maximum subsidy under the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Program will be reduced from a maximum of $1,600 per dwelling to a maximum of $1,200 per dwelling
- Ceiling insulation installers must use appropriate covers over down lights and other relevant ceiling appliances, as approved and installed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards. This is a key safety fire protection. Where it is not possible or appropriate to install a cover (e.g. due to space limitations in flat ceilings) insulation installers must still leave the minimum clearance distance required under the relevant Standards.
- Ceiling insulation must be installed without the use of metal staples or other metal fasteners to fasten insulation products as an electrical safety measure. Taping or fastening with nylon/plastic staples or any other non metallic means will be permitted. (Particularly designed to counter electrocution after a number of instances occurred)
- Quotes must be based from a physical inspection of ceiling area, not just a walk round the property
- Program funding now capped at $2.4billion (Once it’s gone – you’ll pay full price)
Contact us NOW before the Rebate reached it’s Cap or call Andy on 0438 227368