The Home Sustainability Assessment Scheme (HSAS) forms part of the federal government's Green Start program (formerly Green Loans).

This page is designed to support Home Sustainability Assessors. Householder and other interested parties should refer to the Green Start Website.

About the Green Start Program

Full details of the Green Start program are available on the website of the Department for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE).

On 8 July 2010, the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water announced the new Green Start program to assist householders to improve their energy efficiency. The program is to be delivered through two separate rounds of competitive grant funding.

Full Program Guidelines and the Application Form for Round 1 have now been released on the Green Start webpage.

Under Round 1 the Green Start program will help households improve the energy efficiency of their homes by providing grants to individuals or organisations to undertake home energy assessments.

Under Round 2 the program will provide grants to individuals or organisations to assist low income and disadvantaged households, including support for implementing projects or actions to reduce energy use.

Applications for grants under Round 1 of the new Green Start program opened on 26 July and will close on 20 August 2010 at 5:00pm (Canberra time).

Both contracted and uncontracted Green Loans assessors have the opportunity to work in the Green Start. We advise all trained Home Sustainability Assessors to read the guidelines carefully and explore your options to work under Green Start. To apply for a Round 1 grant you will have to complete all sections of the application form and submit it online.

If you have any questions regarding the transition from the Green Loans scheme to the Green Start program, you should address these in writing to the Department for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (see website for contact information). ABSA can only provide information regarding the accreditation of assessors in Home Sustainability, but we are always interested in the feedback and concerns of our members. If you wish to comment, please send your thoughts to ideas@absa.net.au.

ABSA has provided an area on their online forums to help connect those who are putting in an application with those who want to work in the program.