The guidelines for the Federal Government Solar Hot Water rebates are up now up on the Australian Greenhouse Office website! You can also download it here.

Summing up the key points:

• $1,000 per Solar Hot Water or heat pump system
• Applicants must be individuals
• Applicants can be renters!
• unlike PV, you install the system and then apply for the rebate. This makes it very simple but you risk not getting your $1000 if for some reason you are not eligible
• You need to find a 'Registered Agent' who is willing to verify technical details of the installation if you are audited by the AGO. A list of Registered Agents is available . Registered Agents are the people who can create Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from a Solar Hot Water installation and most installers of Solar Hot Water are also registered agents. This means that it will not be time-consuming or a financial burden to satisfy this requirement.
• Application does not require supporting documents. Any supporting documents should be kept on hand in case you are randomly audited

All in all, it looks like good - no waiting around, no 'start-stop' effects on the already well established solar hot water industry and best of all - renters can apply!

We'll put up an example of a completed application form to help people out. If you have any experience or problems in the application process, talk about it on the forum.