Our 2025 recommendations for energy efficiency and electrification of Australia’s homes and businesses
With Australians grappling with cost of living and businesses under pressure, smart energy management that drives down bills and improves productivity is more important than ever.
The EEC calls on the next Australian government to prioritise a strong suite of sensible reforms that support households and businesses, improve energy security, and accelerate an equitable transition to a low-emissions future:
- Upgrade homes for health, comfort and efficiency – supercharge social and community housing retrofits, implement minimum rental energy standards, and roll out a national home energy rating system.
- Support business energy upgrades – Expand financial incentives and regulatory support for businesses to boost their energy productivity through investment in energy efficiency, electrification, and demand flexibility.
- Modernise energy governance – Reform energy governance frameworks to prioritise demand-side measures including establishing a national energy performance agency.
- Strengthen the role of the demand side in the electricity market – Reform existing incentives for demand management and ensure new capacity mechanisms incentivise flexible demand capacity.
- Set national energy performance targets – Establish targets for energy efficiency and flexible demand to better match energy use with renewable generation, reducing costs and improving reliability.
- Align and modernise retailer energy efficiency schemes – Re-align schemes to focus on optimising the energy system, reducing peak demand, and shifting energy use to periods of high renewable generation.
- Accelerate commercial building efficiency – Expand the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) program and implement stronger policies for energy efficient commercial buildings.
- Develop a skilled workforce – Invest in workforce training, upskilling, and certification to ensure Australia has the skilled professionals needed for efficient electrification and the energy transition.
- Improve energy literacy – Launch a national energy efficiency awareness campaign to help households and businesses cut energy costs through informed choices.
- Boost research and innovation – Increase investment in energy-related research and development to drive practical solutions for a net zero economy.
Read our full, detailed priorities document here.
