Overview
On 2 October 2025, the Department released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) on Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) and the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for HPWH in Australia and New Zealand. This was a joint consultation with the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
The consultation for the HPWH CRIS closed on 31 October 2025.
The department thanks all of those that took the time to participate in this consultation.
Consultation process
The department sought input on the policy options outlined in the CRIS. The CRIS contained several consultation questions and options for consideration, including on MEPS, information provisions and testing options.
To assist the consultation, the department held an online forum as an opportunity for Australian stakeholders to discuss the proposed policies on 21 October 2025.
Submissions received
A total of 30 submissions on the CRIS were made to DCCEEW and EECA. Of these submissions, 24 came from Australia and 6 from New Zealand, although some suppliers with operations in both countries made their submissions directly to Australia. Submissions were from HPWH suppliers, manufacturers, industry associations, as well as government and non-government organisations.
The department has reviewed all submissions received. The submissions indicated strong support for Option 3: introducing MEPS for HPWH as soon as practicable, followed by mandatory information provisions at a later stage.
Issues raised in the submissions included: timing of the implementation of MEPS and the need to develop laboratory testing capacity, the use of international standards, defining the scope of the regulation, information requirements, controls for legionella and noise testing.
These submissions were considered during the drafting of the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS). The DRIS was approved by Ministers at the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC) meeting on 16 December 2025.
Visit ECMC Meeting Communique, and energyrating.gov.au for more details.
View published submissions.
Decision Regulation Impact Statement
Technical Paper
A DRIS sets out the general scope of agreement for a new GEMS determination. However, the GEMS determination sets out the detailed set of requirements. The Department is currently in the process of drafting the GEMS determination to introduce MEPS for HPWH.
On 4 May 2026, the department published a paper to seek feedback from stakeholders on technical aspects to further inform the drafting of a determination to introduce MEPS for HPWH.
The technical paper covers the following points:
Reporting coefficient of performance and cold temperature testing
Scope of determination
Product classes and definition
Testing methods
Family of models
Information requirements
Transition period.
On 14 May 2026, the department hosted an online workshop to outline key features of the technical paper, and answer stakeholder questions. The PowerPoint for this workshop has been made available below. Submissions closed on 15 May 2026.
Feedback on the technical paper will inform the draft determination for HPWH, which we expect to release for public consultation by the third quarter of this year.
Documents
Heat Pump Water Heaters: GEMS technical workshop - presentation [PPTX 890KB]
Heat Pump Water Heaters: GEMS technical workshop - presentation [PDF 928KB]
Please contact GEMSProductReview@dcceew.gov.au if you have any questions.
The E3 Program
This work is being progressed through the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program. The E3 Program is a collaboration between the Australian Government, states and territories of Australia, and the New Zealand Government to improve the energy efficiency and energy performance of appliances and equipment.
Converlens