Westpac joins government trial to help homeowners cut energy costs

07/04/2025News

Westpac has become the first major Australian bank to partner with the federal government in a new initiative aimed at helping homeowners reduce energy bills through improved home efficiency.

Supporting energy-efficient living

The bank is participating in a national trial to expand the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) to existing homes. Originally launched in 1993 for new builds and major renovations, NatHERS provides households with energy ratings that highlight cost-effective upgrades to enhance comfort and cut energy use.

Exclusive access for select customers

Starting this week, select Westpac customers applying to refinance or top up their home loans may be invited to join the trial. Participants will receive a free home energy assessment from a certified assessor, along with a detailed rating certificate outlining areas for improvement.

“Westpac has been an advocate for the expansion of the NatHERS scheme to include existing homes, and we’re proud to be the first major Australian bank to participate,” said James Hutton, Westpac’s Managing Director of Mortgages. “Our partnership will expand the reach of the program to more Australians seeking to make sustainable choices.”

Paving the way for a greener future

The trial is being run in collaboration with the Australian Government, the CSIRO, and property valuer Opteon. It aims to gather key insights that will support a broader rollout of home energy ratings for existing properties, scheduled to launch in mid-2025.

“This collaboration will not only help improve energy efficiency, it will also help our customers understand how they can reduce household energy bills,” Hutton added.

Through this initiative, Westpac is empowering homeowners to make smarter, greener choices—benefiting their budgets and the environment alike.

Related news & insights

07/05/2025Article

How UOB is future-proofing its workforce – One career at a time

From AI training to retirement prep, United Overseas Bank (UOB) is making bold investments in its people. The Singapore-based bank...

Digital Reinvention
06/05/2025Interview

Further Insights: The shift from branches to bots in Turkish banking

Meral Ahu Karageyim, senior researcher at Bogazici University Center for Applied Research in Finance (CARF), in collaboration with her co-author...

Digital Reinvention
06/05/2025News

Revolut just took aim at telcos — and this could redefine the fintech playbook

With unlimited domestic calls, texts, and data, plus a 20GB roaming allowance across Europe and the U.S., this move could...

05/05/2025Interview

At work with Vlastimir Vuković

Vlastimir Vuković, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Executive Board at NLB Komercijalna banka, shares with Boris Plantier of...

Digital Reinvention
05/05/2025News

Commerzbank’s AI avatar “Ava” redefines customer engagement

Ava isn’t just another chatbot — she’s a human-modeled, conversational assistant designed to provide instant, 24/7 support, blending the convenience...

Digital Reinvention
05/05/2025News

NatWest introduces family-backed mortgage to boost first-time buyer affordability

Family-backed lending meets strategic affordability shifts in a move that could rattle competitors.

Digital Reinvention
03/05/2025News

ANZ goes password-free: The first Aussie bank to kill logins as you know them

Australia’s first password-less web banking platform promises easier logins and tougher fraud protection.

Digital Reinvention
01/05/2025Article

Financial Innovation Spotlight – April 2025 edition

Here are five standout projects that grabbed our attention, from AXA in France, Maybank in Malaysia, Westpac in Australia, Assurant...