Western Australia LED Lighting Rebates and Programs: 2026 Guide

Western Australia doesn’t have an energy savings certificate scheme like NSW or Victoria. This creates confusion—people assume there are no incentives for LED upgrades in WA.

That’s not quite true. The incentive landscape is different, not absent. Here’s what’s actually available in 2026.

The WA Context

Unlike the eastern states, WA operates its own electricity grid (the SWIS in the south, separate systems in the north). It has its own energy retailer structure and doesn’t participate in the National Electricity Market.

This means the certificate trading schemes that fund LED rebates in NSW (ESS) and Victoria (VEECs) don’t apply. There’s no standardised mechanism for creating tradeable energy savings certificates.

But alternative programs exist.

Synergy Business Energy Efficiency Programs

Synergy, the dominant electricity retailer in the SWIS, runs business energy efficiency programs that occasionally include lighting.

What’s typically available:

  • Free or subsidised energy audits for business customers
  • Some rebates for implementing audit recommendations
  • Demand management incentives for large customers

Limitations:

  • Programs change frequently—check current offerings
  • Smaller businesses may find limited support
  • Not as generous as eastern state certificate schemes

How to access: Contact Synergy’s business customer team. Ask specifically about current energy efficiency programs.

Local Government Programs

Several WA local government areas run energy efficiency programs:

City of Perth: Has run business sustainability programs including lighting assessments.

City of Fremantle: Environmental initiatives sometimes include energy efficiency support.

City of Joondalup: Business support programs occasionally touch on energy.

These programs come and go depending on council budgets and priorities. Worth checking your local council’s business support offerings.

Federal Programs

National programs apply in WA just as elsewhere:

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

ARENA occasionally funds larger energy efficiency projects, though typically focused on innovative technologies rather than standard LED retrofits.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

CEFC provides financing for clean energy projects, including energy efficiency. This is loans, not grants, but at favourable rates.

For commercial lighting projects over about $250,000, CEFC financing might be relevant.

Instant Asset Write-Off

Small business instant asset write-off provisions apply to LED lighting equipment. This isn’t a rebate, but accelerated depreciation improves project cash flows.

Check current thresholds with your accountant—they change with federal budgets.

Industry-Specific Programs

Some industries have their own efficiency programs:

Agriculture

The WA agriculture sector has access to various sustainability grants and programs. If you’re lighting agricultural buildings (sheds, processing facilities), check Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development offerings.

Mining

Mining companies often have internal carbon reduction targets driving lighting efficiency investment. This isn’t a government program, but creates budget for efficiency projects that might not otherwise proceed.

Regional Development

Regional businesses may access additional support through Regional Development Commissions. Economic development objectives sometimes align with energy efficiency.

Making the Business Case Without Rebates

In WA more than other states, LED upgrades need to stand on direct economic returns.

Focus on:

  • Energy cost savings (at current and projected rates)
  • Maintenance savings (reduced lamp replacements)
  • Reliability improvements (less downtime)
  • Any productivity benefits (better light quality)

Calculate carefully:

  • Actual operating hours (measured, not assumed)
  • Real electricity rates (including demand charges)
  • Maintenance costs of existing system
  • Cost of capital (what return is expected on investment)

Many WA commercial LED projects still achieve 2-4 year simple paybacks without rebates. Electricity costs are high enough to justify efficiency investment.

Working With Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)

ESCOs offer performance contracting—they fund the upgrade and take payment from guaranteed savings.

This model works in WA without certificate revenue because:

  • The ESCO takes the performance risk
  • Customers get upgrades without capital investment
  • Savings are real even without certificates

Several ESCOs operate in the WA market. Their terms vary—compare carefully.

The Regional WA Situation

Regional WA has different electricity costs and considerations:

Horizon Power areas: Different pricing structures and often higher costs than SWIS.

Off-grid and mining sites: Diesel generation makes electricity very expensive. LED paybacks can be under a year.

Regional development focus: Some regional support programs prioritise sustainability investments.

Regional lighting projects often have stronger economics than metro projects, ironically.

What’s Coming

The WA government periodically floats energy efficiency scheme concepts. Nothing has eventuated, but the policy conversation continues.

If a WA energy savings scheme does emerge, early movers who’ve already done LED retrofits might miss out on incentives. Late movers would benefit from any new scheme.

This creates genuine uncertainty. My general advice: don’t wait for potential future incentives if the project makes sense today. Future schemes may never materialise, and energy savings forgone are lost forever.

Practical Steps for WA Projects

  1. Calculate the direct business case: Payback without any incentives. Most worthwhile projects are viable regardless.

  2. Check current Synergy programs: They change frequently. There might be something available.

  3. Ask your local council: Some have business sustainability support.

  4. Consider financing options: CEFC for larger projects, equipment finance for smaller ones.

  5. Don’t forget the tax implications: Instant asset write-off if eligible.

  6. Engage quality contractors: Without rebate scheme quality requirements, ensuring good installation falls on the customer.

Finding Help

WA doesn’t have the ACP (Accredited Certificate Provider) network that exists in certificate scheme states. You can’t call someone whose job is to help you access lighting rebates.

Instead:

  • Talk to commercial electrical contractors experienced in lighting upgrades
  • Consult energy efficiency consultants (several operate in Perth)
  • Contact manufacturer representatives who may know current programs
  • Check with industry associations relevant to your sector

For businesses wanting integrated building efficiency solutions, the consultants working on building automation and energy management—firms like Team400 in the eastern states—often have relationships with WA clients even if based elsewhere.

Summary

WA’s LED incentive landscape is fragmented rather than absent. The absence of a certificate scheme means more legwork to find available programs, but worthwhile projects remain viable on direct economics.

Don’t assume no rebates means no opportunity. Calculate the business case, explore available programs, and make informed decisions based on real numbers.

James Thornton has been working in commercial lighting for 18 years and is based in Australia.