Grants and subsidies - Victoria
Make sure to get a full home energy assessment before you start energy / efficiency related upgrades. This is because most companies will offer you their product without consideration for your long term goal - an efficient, all-electric house.
In Victoria, almost all efficiency upgrades can get subsidies IF done through a registered provider.
Beware of firms offering free upgrades however. They usually offer mediocre solutions, poor quality products and sub-standard installers in order to make it free. A great example of this is swapping halogen bulbs with LED ones, when a far better solution is to replace the whole fitting and pay a little for it. The only company I've heard good things about in Vic is HomeLab.
A Selection of the best:
Local council energy efficiency grants - check your council's website. You might get a free energy assessment.
LIGHTS
Replacement of flourescent, incandescent and halogen globes with LED's. If you have bulbs, go ahead. If you have halogen downlights, swap out the entire fitting for an IC-4 rated LED downlight. These units are sealed, so there are no draughts and insulation can be placed over the top.SHOWER HEADS
Replacement of shower heads with water saving ones. Note that if you have an instantaneous hot water system these can cause problems at low flow.
SOLAR PV
Solar systems can receive both state and federal funding. In Victoria, the current rebate is $1400 while the national subsidy is based on the system capacity and essentially pays for the panels. A good solar system will cost around $1000 per kW. You'll likely be limited to a 5kW export/ 6.66 kW panel system unless you have three phase electricity. See the Solar Homes ProgramHOT WATER
Existing electric element hot water systems attract good rebates, as do solar hot water systems. I don't recommend solar hot water systems as they fail often and they take up roof space for solar PV. More info hereAIR CONDITIONER
Rebates roughly cover installation cost. Get a quote from an approved provider. In any case, excellent systems such as MHI cost 1500 - 3000 installed, so won't break the bank. If your house is well sealed and insulated, two is usually enough.