Updates to the VEU program

We have proposed changes to evidence requirements for high bay product replacements and invite stakeholder feedback by 30 November 2020

Clarification on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions on all activities under the VEU program.  

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) announced the reinstatement some activities under the VEU program from 28 October 2020. 

We have introduced new product application requirements for lighting products with switchable wattage settings. We invite you to provide feedback on how we manage the transition for lighting products with switchable wattage settings which are currently listed on the Register of Products.

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions have released updated frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the construction sector, which includes a specific page providing guidance for solar and energy efficiency activities as part of the roadmap for easing restrictions across Victoria.

We have updated our guidance documents and the VEU registry to implement changes to lamp product types and available upgrade lamp ballast combinations and asset lifetime references for lamps installed under activity 34.  We have also made changes to the certificate creation form for activity 27.  

We have proposed changes to product type and certificate creation for building based lighting upgrades (activity 34) and invite feedback on these proposed changes.    

We have released an update for program participants to reflect updated guidance for the construction sector and electricity, gas, water and waste services permitted work sectors under stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne released by the Victorian Government.  

We have released updated guidance for program participants to reflect the stage 4 restrictions which are now in place for metropolitan Melbourne.

We reduced requirements for product applications under building-based lighting upgrade where the product has already been approved either under public lighting upgrade or non-building-based lighting upgrade.

We have released our requirements for accredited persons to provide the commission with assurance they are taking the appropriate measures to manage coronavirus transmission risks.

We have updated our guidance and evidentiary requirements for building based lighting upgrades.

We have made changes to our lighting activity guides to update on recycling invoice requirements and other matters.

We have released an updated Water Heating and Space Heating/Cooling Application Guide with updated documentary requirements.

We have changed some of our guidance documents to clarify and update requirements for undertaking lighting activities and in-home display activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

We have updated our evidentiary requirements for heating and space heating and cooling activities and clarified the use of appendix(s) in VBA Compliance Certificates and Certificates of Electrical Safety. Accredited persons must meet the new requirements from 12 December 2019.

From the week beginning 18 November, we will be automating our request for further information (RFI) process for all Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) created in the VEU Registry excluding VEECs for lighting activities (27, 34 J6, 34 Non J6 and 35) and project-based activities (PBA).

Victorian Energy Upgrades program documents have been updated to reflect the inclusion of mains powered in-home display units and to refine a number of requirements for in-home display activities under the program.

Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) are only eligible to be created for an activity 34 J6 lighting upgrade if the upgrade is a part of a site refurbishment that is required to comply with Part J6 of the Building Code of Australia.

The Lighting Product Application Guide has been updated to include new requirements.

Program documents have been updated to include new safety requirements for lighting products.

Program documents have been updated to reflect the inclusion of app-based in-home display units under activity 30 of the program.

There are new updates relating to the Measurement and Verification in Victorian Energy Upgrades – Specifications - Version 3.0 and other project-based activities document changes.

This update relates to requirements for accredited person justifications for ‘duplicate’ activities, and licensed electrician attendance at the installation premises for sign-off on the VEEC assignment forms lighting activities 21A, 21C, 21D, 21E and 21F (replacing energy inefficient lamps with efficient lamps).

Heat pump water heaters or gas/electric boosted solar water heaters are not eligible for replacement under the VEU program regardless of how they are operating or the fresh start rule.

Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) are only eligible to be created for installations at off-grid sites where the fuel source emits greenhouse gas emissions.

From 1 July 2019, every person must comply with the EPA’s Waste Management Policy, which is banning e-waste from landfill.

We will be releasing updates to the VEU Registry and our guidance documents to reflect the updated VEU specifications on 10 June 2019.

We will be releasing updates to the VEU Registry and our guidance documents to reflect changes to the program rules commencing on 10 June 2019.

Following our recent review, we have gazetted the updated Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) Guidelines, which takes effect from 3 June 2019.

We have updated the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Obligations and Program Guide for Accredited Persons to reflect that accredited persons must ensure that installers are equipped with safe portable ladders when performing residential lighting upgrades (and other relevant program activities).

Following consultation on the transition period to allow non omni-directional lamps to be installed under activity 21A, we have decided to extend the transition period for these lamps until 31 July 2019. 

We have made changes to our activity guides to clarify and update a number of requirements for lighting activities. 

We have proposed amendments to the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target guidelines and seek feedback on these proposed amendments.

We have released documentation to enable participation in the six new gas efficiency activities which commence on 1 March 2019 under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. You can now apply to become accredited for these activities. 

We have finalised our training and licensing requirements for incandescent GLS or compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) replacement activities (activity 21A). From 12 February 2019, licensed electricians will need to be involved in all stages of this activity. Accredited Persons will need to provide appropriate training to minimise safety risks associated with the replacement of CFLs on installers and consumers.