Lower Bills & Cooler Homes on the Way for Queensland Community Housing Tenants

Thousands of Queenslanders living in community housing are set to benefit from lower power bills and more comfortable homes under a new energy efficiency program jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.

The Queensland Community Housing Energy Upgrades (Q-CHEU) program has opened applications for rebates of up to $4,500, allowing eligible community housing providers to install energy efficiency and thermal comfort upgrades in around 4,000 homes across the state.

The upgrades are designed to help homes stay cooler during Queensland’s hot summers while reducing ongoing electricity costs for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. Eligible improvements include insulation and shading, efficient electric appliances such as hot water systems, ovens and cooktops, split-system air conditioners, and solar installations including rooftop panels.

The Q-CHEU program forms part of a broader $116 million investment by the Australian and Queensland Governments aimed at improving the energy performance of up to 32,000 social housing properties statewide.

Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said the initiative shows how targeted policy can deliver real benefits for households.

“No matter their circumstances, all Australians deserve to benefit from cheaper energy bills and more comfortable homes and that’s why the Albanese Government is investing $1.1 billion to upgrade the nation’s stock of social and community housing – with 100,000 dwellings to be upgraded,” Mr Wilson said.

“Upgrades like shading, insulation energy efficient appliances will deliver instant and permanent hip pocket relief for Queensland’s community housing tenants.”

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the program would ease cost-of-living pressures for low-income tenants.

“This is a practical program that will change the lives of our community housing tenants by helping to cut their power bills and making their homes more liveable,” he said.

“Our tenants in community homes are on low incomes, so reducing energy costs and improving thermal comfort will make a real difference especially during our scorching hot Queensland summers.”

Community Housing Industry Association Queensland CEO Julie Saunders welcomed the program, saying it would benefit both tenants and housing providers.

“By backing upgrades like insulation, solar and efficient hot water systems, the Queensland Community Housing Energy Upgrades program will deliver real cost-of-living relief while improving the liveability of homes across the community housing sector,” Ms Saunders said.

Applications for the Q-CHEU program are open until 30 October 2026, with all upgrade works required to be completed by 30 June 2027. Registered community housing providers can find more information and apply through the Queensland Government website.

Photo source: Shutterstock

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