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Banks and financial institutions

An increasing number of banks and financial institutions are rewarding their customers with low-interest rate green loans or eco loans for energy efficient homes, renovations or upgrades.

Supported by government-developed software and delivered by experienced and accredited assessors, Scorecard offers an objective report of your home's:

  • average energy cost as a rating out of 10 stars
  • comfort rating showing how well a home copes with hot and cold weather
  • star rating with and without solar power
  • efficiency ratings for each fixed appliance
  • energy consumption of the fixed appliances over one year
  • greenhouse gas emissions of the fixed appliances over one year.

Your Scorecard assessor can provide before and after upgrade certificates, to verify the impact of changes to the home. They can also provide a Scorecard variation report. The variation report models the impact of proposed renovations or upgrades on a home's energy efficiency star rating, clearly demonstrating the real and measurable benefits of your proposed renovations or upgrades.

There are currently two banks offering Green Loans using Scorecard certificates: Bank Australia and Gateway Bank. For detailed information and eligibility requirements, please contact the financial institutions directly.

If you work in the finance sector you can discover how Scorecard can benefit both your organisation and customers via our Industry Hub.

"Clients are saving between $20,000 to $100,000 on their home loans."

"Approximately 60% of my clients are accessing Green Loans through Scorecard assessments. Expert guidance from the Scorecard assessor is critical in helping clients select the right improvements to qualify for the loan."

- Marisa Hoffenberg, mortgage broker

Daniel and Yan's 10 star home

Householder on outdoor deck of 10 Scorecard star home

Daniel is a tradesman and Yan is an architect, they recently renovated and extended their family home in the chilly Dandenong Ranges.

Despite their professional experience, their expert Scorecard assessor guided them to make better choices - not more expensive choices. For example, they weren’t considering an all-electric home until their assessor talked it through and they realised how much money they could save each year without sacrificing comfort.

Not only is their upgraded home comfortable and cheaper to run, but they also unlocked even more savings through a green home loan - thanks to their Scorecard certificate.

They achieved:

  • energy cost saving of c. $2000 per year
  • 0.7% interest rate saving on their home loan
  • 10 out of 10 Scorecard rating
  • a comfortable family home.

"Because of Scorecard we knew where to spend our money, and it helped us to get that loan"

"To the average person, all of this may have been complete gobbledegook. But the assessor made the process clear."

- Daniel, tradesman and homeowner

No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS)

No Interest Loans (NILS) provide householders on low incomes with access to safe, fair and affordable credit. This type of loan has no interest and no fees.

Loans may be available for essential goods such as household appliances or insulation for up to $1,500. Repayments are set at an affordable amount over 12 to 18 months and can be made from the savings in your energy costs.

For further information visit the NILS website: https://nils.com.au/

Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF)

EUF is an emerging loan product that involves a household, a lender and the council. Repayments are made through quarterly rates instalments to the council, then the council pays the lender on the householder’s behalf.

You do not need to pay upfront for the upgrade. The loan is repaid over several years to keep the repayment amount manageable. The loan is attached to the property rather than to you, so if you sell the house it transfers to the new owners or an adjustment is made during settlement, so the loan doesn’t come with you.

Currently this is only available to households in Victoria and the legislation that enables these loans is new, so talk to your council to see if they are offering them.

Page last updated: 16/04/25