Why does my appliance need to be purchased on or after 1 January 2026 to be eligible for a VEU claim?

Eligibility under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program is strictly determined by the calendar year in which the activity occurs.

When an energy-efficient appliance is purchased and installed, it generates Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) tied to that specific "vintage" year. Appliances purchased on or after 1 January 2026 create 2026 vintage certificates.

Under state regulations, as an Accredited Provider, Ecovantage has until 30 June 2027 to register and create 2026 VEECs with the Essential Services Commission (ESC). Because the registration process requires thorough compliance auditing, document verification, and administrative processing before submission, all consumer claims for appliances purchased after 1 January 2026 must be submitted to Ecovantage by the end of April 2027. This buffer ensures we can process and register your certificates prior to the strict regulatory deadline.