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 National Framework for Energy Efficiency 

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The Ministerial Council on Energy announced a national program for energy efficiency, productivity and the environment in August 2004, by agreeing to a comprehensive set of measures comprising the National Framework for Energy Efficiency (NFEE). The NFEE aims to unlock the significant economic potential associated with the increased uptake of energy efficient technologies and processes within Australia. Stage one of the NFEE includes nine integrated policy packages to establish the building blocks of the NFEE aimed at cost effective energy efficiency measures. The Stage 1 Policy Packages include:

  • Residential buildings 
  • Commercial buildings 
  • Commercial/industrial energy efficiency 
  • Government energy efficiency 
  • Appliance & equipment energy efficiency 
  • Trade and professional training & accreditation 
  • Commercial/industrial sector capacity building 
  • General consumer awareness 
  • Finance sector awareness

Stage Two of the program includes five new measures under the NFEE:

  • Expending and enhancing the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) program 
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) high efficiency systems strategy 
  • Phase-out of inefficient incandescent lighting 
  • Government leadership though green leases 
  • Development of measures for a national hot water strategy, for later consideration

A number of initiatives have evolved under the NFEE including the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act (EEO), Equipment Energy Efficiency Program (E3), increasing the stringency of existing Minimum Energy Performance Standards for appliances (MEPS).

A number of state based legislation currently exist to address energy efficiency including: the NSW Energy Efficiency Scheme (NEES) – commencing 1 July 2009; the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET); and the South Australian Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) – which both commenced on 1 January 2009.

In October 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to develop a National Strategy for Energy Efficiency (the Strategy) to accelerate energy efficiency efforts, to streamline roles and responsibilities across levels of governments, and to help households and businesses prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. In May 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to:

  • establish a single, national and expanded mandatory Renewable Energy Target 
  • Remove regulatory impediments to the full pass-through of the increased cost of electricity due to the operation of the CPRS and the ERET, and 
  • Finalise the draft National Strategy for Efficiency.

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