Heating and cooling in VictoriaWho's licensed for which part, and what changes in 2027.

Gas heating: what's changing, and what isn't

Nothing forces an owner-occupier off gas heating. DEECA says existing homes have no requirement to swap gas space heating for electric. The 1 March 2027 gas rule for existing homes covers water heaters, not space heaters.

New connections are different. From 1 January 2027, plumbing work that connects reticulated gas to a building under construction, or to an existing one that doesn't already have it, is prohibited for houses and some other building classes.

Keeping your gas heater? Energy Safe Victoria says to have it serviced at least once every two years by a qualified gasfitter, and the sale of open-flued heaters that can't shut down automatically has been banned in Victoria since 1 August 2022. See gas heater service.

Renting in Victoria: the dates that matter

Since 13 October 2026, every Victorian rental needs electrical safety checks every two years, and gas checks too where there's gas. Rental gas checks need a gasfitter endorsed for Type A Gas Appliances Servicing.

From 1 March 2027, a living area heater that permanently fails must be replaced with energy efficient electric, but a working gas heater can stay. Cooling is required for new and month-to-month agreements from that date, and for all rentals from 1 July 2030. The detail is in our Victorian rental rules guide.

VEU discounts, in brief

Victorian Energy Upgrades is voluntary and runs through private accredited providers, not the Government. Its air conditioner categories need a system that both heats and cools, so don't expect a VEU discount on a gas heater or an evaporative cooler. Ducted jobs have carried a minimum co-payment of $3,000 since 30 September 2026. Our VEU guide has the rest.