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Consultations

Have your say.

Have your say

We are committed to achieving the Equipment Energy Efficiency Program objectives of improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costs for consumers and businesses. To do this we undertake continual improvement of our program through:

regular review of existing legislation and requirements
revision and development of new energy efficiency standards and regulations.

Consultations with community and industry stakeholders are a vital part of our review and development processes. The consultations we undertake ensure any proposed changes to Determinations are feasible, effective, and will deliver tangible benefits for consumers and businesses.

Depending on the nature of the project, we may undertake consultations through:

public forums
invitations for formal submissions
our online consultation hub.

We value your knowledge and experiences and would appreciate you sharing them with us. Your input can help shape our energy efficiency requirements and continually improve our program and projects.

Check the list of open consultations below for opportunities to get involved.

Have your say on open consultations

Previous consultations

Closed

Heat Pump Water Heaters – Public Consultation on exposure draft regulations

We are seeking your feedback on the exposure draft determination for heat pump water heaters which recommends introducing minimum energy performance standards to improve their energy efficiency.

Background

Australia’s Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 establishes a national framework for appliance and equipment energy efficiency, setting minimum efficiency standards and labelling requirements to reduce energy consumption.

In December 2025, the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council agreed to introduce minimum energy performance (MEPS) requirements for heat pump water heaters (HPWH) following their consideration of the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS).

Exposure Draft Consultation

We’re now seeking your feedback on the exposure draft determination which will implement the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Councils’ decision to introduce MEPS for HPWHs. The exposure draft guidance document and explanatory statement provides further information on the intent of the determination.

This exposure draft was developed following previous engagement with industry and key stakeholders.

Feedback is requested by Monday, 5 October 2026.

Online Forum – 22 September 2026

We are holding an online forum for Australian stakeholders to provide feedback at 10:00 am AEST 22 September 2026. Register to attend.

E3 Program

This work is being progressed through the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program. The E3 Program is a collaboration between the Australian Government, states and territories of Australia, and the New Zealand Government to improve the energy efficiency and energy performance of appliances and equipment.

Contast us, if you have any questions.

Closed

Options to regulate heat pump water heaters

We are consulting on a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) for heat pump water heaters (HPWH). HPWH can offer substantial energy efficiency improvements over traditional (i.e. electric storage and gas) water heaters.

The CRIS evaluates a range of policy options, including continuing without any changes to regulation, as well as assessing the potential impacts, costs, and benefits of introducing minimum energy performance standards for these water heaters.

We welcome your feedback. Your feedback will help inform the development of policy on the regulation of HPWH and preparation of a Decision RIS for Energy and Climate Ministers.

At the conclusion of the consultation process, all submissions will be made publicly available unless they are marked private.

This work is being progressed through the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program, which integrates energy efficiency standards and labelling requirements for equipment and appliances. This cross-jurisdictional program is run by:

• the Australian Government

• Australian state and territory governments

• the New Zealand Government.

Closed

Options to address cooling seasonal energy efficiency performance calculation issues for air conditioners

The department, in consultation with the New Zealand Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) are reviewing the GEMS air conditioner determination following a change to the Australia/New Zealand standard for calculating air conditioner cooling seasonal performance.

The focus of the review is the level of flexibility provided around rated values. We are also seeking views on the appropriate level to set T₀ when calculating air conditioner energy use in commercial environments. The aim is to improve the accuracy of cooling seasonal energy performance calculations.

You can now share your ideas. Your feedback will assist us in making a recommendation to the Minister on the best way to resolve the issue.

Closed

Regulation Impact Statement – three phase electric motors

The Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) identifies options to improve the energy efficiency of three phase electric motors sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Three phase electric motors are used in a wide range of applications in the industrial and commercial sectors, often as pumps, compressors and conveyor belts.

The RIS looks at options to align Australian and New Zealand standards with international standards and European regulations. These include:

increasing minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)
increasing the scope to regulate larger and smaller three phase electric motors
changing the registration requirements including the family of models definition
introducing new labelling requirements including information disclosure requirements on product information sheets and registration number display requirements.