How REPS works
Each five year period, the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining sets targets that energy retailers must meet. These targets are measured in gigajoules, and retailers meet them by offering discounted upgrades or rebates to customers.
There are two types of targets:
- Overall target – the total amount of energy savings retailers must achieve across all customers
- Priority group target – a specific portion of that total that must be delivered to priority group households
Priority group households include people who may need additional support, such as:
- Concession card holders
- Veterans or war widows
- People receiving energy concessions
- People on retailer payment plans or in hardship programs
- Eligible renters (paying less than $500 per week)
Retailers can deliver these upgrades themselves or partner with providers like MAC Trade Services to make these offers available.
What changed in 2026?
For 2026, there has been a significant shift in the targets that were set:
- The overall REPS target has decreased substantially compared to previous years
- The priority group target has increased
This combination means there are fewer total rebates available, and a larger share of them must go to priority group households.
Annual targets as published on the Essential Services Commission of SA’s website:
Annual energy productivity target (GJ) 2021-2030
| Year | Overall EPT (GJ) | Priority Group (GJ) | Household (GJ) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REPS 1 | 2021 | 2,500,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 |
| 2022 | 2,620,945 | 500,000 | 500,000 | |
| 2023 | 3,029,222 | 500,000 | 500,000 | |
| 2024 | 3,437,500 | 500,000 | 500,000 | |
| 2025 | 3,750,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 | |
| REPS 2 | 2026 | 1,650,000 | 750,000 | 0 |
| 2027 | 1,650,000 | 750,000 | 0 | |
| 2028 | 1,650,000 | 750,000 | 0 | |
| 2029 | 1,650,000 | 750,000 | 0 | |
| 2030 | 1,650,000 | 750,000 | 0 |
What this means for rebate availability
Because there are fewer total activities available, but a larger share must go to priority group households, retailers and their activity providers need to focus more of their offers on priority group customers.
In simple terms:
- There are fewer rebates available overall
- A greater proportion must go to priority group households
This means some rebates that were previously widely available are now limited, and certain activities may only be available to priority group customers at different times. Access can also vary depending on how retailers are progressing against their targets.
Why the scheme prioritises these households
REPS is designed not only to reduce energy use, but also to make sure support is directed to households who may benefit the most.
Energy efficiency upgrades can:
- Lower energy bills
- Improve comfort at home
- Reduce exposure to rising energy costs
By requiring a portion of activities to be delivered to priority group households, the scheme helps ensure these benefits reach customers who may need additional support.
What if you’re not eligible right now?
If you’re not currently eligible for a particular rebate, it doesn’t mean you won’t be in the future. Availability can change depending on:
- How retailers are progressing against their targets
- Changes to scheme settings in future years
- New or updated activities becoming available
We are actively engaging with government and industry on how the scheme is operating, as there is opportunity to improve access and better support electrification across all households and customer groups.
