$12,500 cash bonuses for these Aussies

Queensland businesses are being offered cash rebates to buy energy-efficient appliances and equipment. (Source: Getty)

Thousands of Queensland businesses can now claim rebates of up to $12,500 to buy and install energy-efficient appliances.

The Queensland government is expanding its existing energy cashback scheme - which is currently open to households - to cover more than 450,000 small-to-medium businesses.

Energy prices have skyrocketed over the last year, with the Australian Energy Regulator today revealing bills have risen by between 9 and 20 per cent over the past 12 months.

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Businesses can receive cash back on a range of appliances, including consumer appliances with a 4-star energy rating or higher, plus energy-efficient commercial refrigerators and freezers and lighting-control systems.

Under the $16 million scheme, businesses can claim up to 50 per cent of costs and must spend a minimum of $8,000 to receive the minimum rebate of $4,000.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state’s cost-of-living measures had already cut power bills for every Queensland household.

“Now, businesses can benefit with cheaper, more energy-efficient appliances, which helps save on their energy bills into the future,” Palaszczuk said.

$1,000 for households

Queensland households can also claim rebates of up to $1,000 when they purchase eligible energy-efficient appliances.

The cash grants cover 4-star rated (or higher) household appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, fridges, air conditioners and hot water systems.

All households are eligible for the standard rebate, with higher rebates available for households who meet the Low Income Tax Offset threshold of $66,667.

Here are the rebates available:

• Washing machines - $300 (standard income), $550 (low income)

• Dishwashers - $300 (standard income), $550 (low income)

• Dryers - $300 (standard income), $550 (low income)

• Refrigerators - $350 (standard income), $600 (low income)

• Air conditioners - $400 (standard income), $650 (low income)

• Solar and heat pump hot water systems - $800 (standard income), $1,000 (low income)

Only one rebate is available per household and per business. Applications are also made on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available until funding is exhausted.

Queensland households can apply for the Climate Smart Energy Savers rebate online, while businesses can apply on the Business Queensland website.

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