Become A Green Loans Home Sustainability Assessor
Grey Nomad April-Sept Top End Work Opportunity
January 1, 2009Our Policymakers DISREGARDING Successful Solar Metering Model?
January 8, 2009The Sustainable Living Foundation reports that the Federal Government will be needing Home Sustainability Assessors across the country for their Green Loans initiative starting early 2009.
Trained assessors could earn between $200 and $300 per assessment and the Federal Government is funding 360,000 assessments over the next three years.
The government believes this training will appeal to people/small businesses who want to make a difference to the environment as well as supplement their income with casual work.
Who To Contact
People interested in the training program can contact amanda@ecoMaster.com.au and any queries -including training costs – should be directed to Lyn Beinat or Amanda Henson at ecoMaster on 03 5428-8526.
About Green Loans For Australian Homes
Up to 200,000 ‘working families’ will be eligible for Green Loans over five years to improve the energy and water efficiency of their homes.
Low interest Green Loans of up to $10,000 will be available for the installation of solar, water and energy efficient products. Each household will be required to pay back the loans at a maximum rate of two per cent of their annual gross income with a minimum of $300 to be repaid each year.
Households will receive a Green Renovation Pack and a household sustainability assessment report with green improvement info and estimates on how much could be saved plus details of benefits to the environment.
Some Items Available Under The Loan
- Solar panels and greywater recycling systems
- Insulation and shading devices
- Solar, heat pump and high-efficiency gas hot water heaters
- Energy efficient lighting
Interested?
47 Comments
This is an excellent initiative. Making it easier for consumers to make a positive step in saving our environment. By investing in any of the products listed under the “Green loans” banner you can expect to be reducing your carbon footprint immediately.
This is a fantastic initiative. I often think of great ways to make my property green, but lack of funds limit me! I can’t wait to hear more about it. I can already think of three immediate things – solar, greywater recycling & shading!! Also a high-efficiency gas hot water system. I am very excited and can’t wait to hear more!
Great Initiative. Like many others who live in outer Melbourne we’ve been collecting & using our own rain water; processing all household effluent & recycling via the garden & flower beds for the fifteen years we’ve lived here. Our next move will be solar…but aren’t the rules so confusing. Perhaps the best people to do the assessment for this initiative are those who choose to live in this great land, Australia.I will be looking into becoming an assessor if for no other reason than to help others demystify the gobbledygook that seems to accompany most government initiatives including anything solar or recycle! My self-mentor is that this is best for my great grand kids, though I’ll never see them they will thank me for caring…
Why is it climate change when we have extreme weather conditions today? When we had extreme weather conditions in the past it was the weather. Like 8 years of drought before the ash Wensday fires, the last extreme heat event for Vic they say was in the 30s, the day in the early 60s when it reached 117 degrees in the mallee in WA and we lost 200 chooks and the 115s, 112, 110 degree days I can remember. No one called it climate change then because there was no financial incentive and people were not so gullible and more in control of there sences.
The Green Loans Program has now commenced. There has been a lot of interest (large waiting list) even though DEWHA hasn’t really started marketing the program yet. You can find out if you qualify/crieteria by visiting http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans. Can be used in conjunction with existing Fed/State rebates. I’ve recently attained my accreditation as a Home Sustainability Assessor (HSA)and am operating in inner Melbourne area). Am happy for interested parties to contact me directly (0432 857 266) for appointments. Will travel further but for efficiencies, prefer to do a few neighbouring households on same day, if it can be arranged. Ditto regional areas. thanks and regards, Wendy.
Echoing Wendy, the program is now up and running, although in the teething stages. “”Green Country”” has a network of assessors operating in Regional North West NSW, with more to cover the Hunter and Mid and North Coast soon. Other areas to follow. Together we CAN make a difference, no matter how small it all adds up. Call now to request your FREE assessment and lets make the country green!!! Thank you, Tammy 0407251823
Hi Tammy, thanks for adding to this info.
The website for Green Country is now up and running with the aim is to consolidate all rebate information in one location. If you wish to add any rebates from your local area, please let everyone know. Go to greencountry.com.au post a comment.
The Green Loans program is up and running in the Hunter region. Very little marketing as yet (Although an article has appeared in the Newcastle Herald today). However when you tell people about the free home assessment and associated green loans opportunity, they are quite energised about what they can do to green up their home patch. It’s wonderful to see. If seeking a home sustainability assessment in the Lake Macquarie and Hunter Region, I’d be happy to discuss it with you. David 0418 267 658
I am looking for a career change and this Household Sustainability Assessor role really appeals to me as it incorprates a lot of my own beliefs.
Can any of you people who are already in the industry advise if this scheme is a viable employment oppotunity……basicaly can you support yourself and family promoting this.
Cheers
Terry
Hi Terry,
I guess it all depends on how you work it. There certainly is growing enquiry out there, and I feel there is full time work, at least in the short term. Feel free to drop me an email if you like.
Cheers
Tammy
http://www.greencountry.com.au
Also, I am getting alot of enquiry in areas I am not able to service (from Qld to Tas and even one from WA!!). So if there are any other assessors who would like to pick up some extras…….
Cheers
Tammy
http://www.greencountry.com.au
we need assessors or subbies or people looking for a new career contact greg homeassess@gmail.com and i will send some details all areas all states
This is a great scheme and will do a lot to raise awareness amongst the Australian public.
For anyone contemplating becoming an assessor, I strongly advise that you do some serious reseach into the supply and demand numbers, don’t just accept what the training organisations tell you.
There have been a lot of assessors trained, paid their insurances and other set up costs, who have excitedly made themselves available for work, only to find that the jobs aren’t forthcoming.
You will need to do a significant amount of promotion and networking to get the ball rolling. DEWHA do not appear to be doing any promotion of the scheme as was originally planned.
See if you can get hold of a completed assessment report and determine if that meets with your expectations and that you would be happy presenting it to people you know. The reports are fairly limited in their scope – but then this is a govt. scheme.
Amanda Walker, Business Development Manager for Optimal Telecommunication P/L has emailed us saying:
We are Melbourne based call centre generating qualified in-home appointments for Home Sustainability Assessors. We can fix appointments as per the post codes and time allocated by you.
Pre-qualifying criteria for appointment setting are as follows:
1. Home owner & owner occupied property
2. Shouldn’t have got the Energy Assessment done
3. Taxable income no greater than $250,000/- per annum
4. Should be an Australian Citizen and above 18 years age
5. The Home being assessed must have been completed and occupied for at least 12 months (not necessarily by the applicant)
We explain the benefits of energy assessment in terms of savings in electricity, maintenance of in house temperature, increasing house value and contribution to environment at large. Upon expression of interest, assessments bookings are done. We are working for a few Energy Assessment Companies across the eastern seaboard and generate about 300 appointments a week.
We charge a fixed commission for each qualified booking; apprise us of your requirements so that we may accordingly assist you.
Amanda Wallker,
Level 7 | 84 William St |Melbourne, VIC 3000
Ph. – 61 3 9014 1406 | Fax – 61 3 8648 5938
http://www.Otpl.com.au | amanda@otpl.com.au
As an independant assessor, I would like to point out that the reality is not as rosy as the training companies paint it. Some of us have been waitng since JULY for our pay. What we thought would be a good income has dried up to near nothing as DEWHA is not going to advertise anymore. If you dont do you own marketing (you can pay for the adds they word for you) then it is tough. You are competing with call cetres who are large foriegn companies who offer you leads but charge you heaps. At the end of the day, the $200 you get paid (if you get paid) it chewed up with referal fees ($30-$120), 60-90 mins of assessment and at least an hour inputting the data as it is a flawed calculator. If you are looking into this, ASK some current INDEPENDANT assessors what they think or you may be sorely dissappointed.
Oh, and btw, these cal centres do not have to do any training , pay any corse costs, insurance or rego fees…..Who is the mug??
Well I agree with all your points and talked to assessors before I signed up for training – just completed and waiting for registration to work on the Central Coast NSW. However, as someone with an interest in green issues AND an unemployed single mum who lives in area with shocking high unemployment, I reckon this is worth trying. The long term vision for this program is to feed information into a national energy star ratings system on all homes, and mandatory disclosure of these ratings on sale, similar to ACT, so in theory the work can evolve into something else in the future. Hmm we will see! Nothing to lose here though – just need some bookings to pay off the costs now!
Climate change has been a fact for millions of years. This is just another phase. Human influences? Well, six and a half billion people, esch contributing their bit of disharmony to a struggling planet is bound to have repercussions. We need to disregard the ‘smoke snd mirrors tricks’ of politicons and vested interest groups and start taking responsibility for our own everyday actions that contribute to the disharmony.
The earth is rebelling to the cancerous perifidy of man. Green energy,green country, green loans: the only green is the gullibility of people. Want green? Lets stop breeding for a while and let Mother Earth take a breath..
I have watched the Govt trying to get this course up since Peter Garrett announced it soon after coming into office. a lot of inter govt stoushes happened. Come on guys walk the talk and be real. The idea is interesting as a job however there are many sharks willing to misrepresent the facts to people hoping to cash in on the new GREEN worry.
Operating your own business is costly and the set up costs for this are not cheap. Ask questions of the process all the way through before you even do the course and the returns are not good for the work involved. Don’t end up on 60 minutes as a victim. Everyone is making money from it: RTO’s, trainers, installation companies. Sometimes it’s a good idea to sit quietly read a relevant GREEN book and you can work out for yourself what is a way to save money on utilities without having to be advised or cajoled by some operators who cannot even spell(see above letters!!)No wonder the Govt does not pay them on time. Just settle down about the climate. If you want to feel warm and fuzzy do some voluntary work and help the homeless. It could be you some day. Sell one of your cars or your teles or your holiday homes. Grow your own veges from heritage seed and save the seeds for propagation. And don’t forget your long sleeved trousers!
I’d done my homework on all the costs, was expecting to complete the course, market my own services & at least with family & friends get my money back while I continued looking for more opportunities. I booked friday with an RTO to do their training course on the mon when finally I was able to speak to a trained assessor who said it had been close to 8 weeks since he had completed his course & was still waiting for full accreditation. Pulled out of the course & they slugged me $500 for cancelling. Was really hoping this would be a good career change opp but from the above comments seems I made the right move even though it cost me some $. Could have cost lots more if there waas no income for a while . Typical no real commitment to the programme if there was things would be happening and surley could be quite good. will watch to see if things turn around as I still hope to make some changes.
Oh I can spell, I just was typing rapidly. For those thinking about doing this. My advice, think quick. At the current booking rates there is 45 weeks left, unless more $$ are put into the system, and that is using the assessments rather than the green loan approvals as the indicator. At the current numbers of assessors there is an average of about 240 assessments per assessor. This will decrease as RTOs continue to train. I am not saying dont do it, I actually like what I do, and I have found a way to market that keeps me in work, BUT dont go into it thinking that you will earn the $5000 per week that I have seen some RTOs suggest. It is all about making an informed choice.
I’ll take a deep breath and think twice about ANYTHING this government says it will do in this so-called sustainability area. It has reneged on so much.
As for RTOs it’s more of the same formula for them. I am with you Jaded Mick. As a member of a bush fire brigade I cannot even stick witches hats on roads legally (translation: if anything serious happens the insurers will not pay). And did THAT course entail? Measuring the road and using a two way radio. Geez, spare me. I can measure things and can use a radio under extreme conditions…..
I put my name down for a home assessment by a “trained” person in early September just to “test the system”. Finally a phone call last week saying they’d have to check me out with Sydney….. they say WA means “wait a while”.
So we have two things operating here. The RTO milking machine in full swing and a government which has doublespeak (in the Orwellian sense) perfected.
I recently completed the assesors course and was not suprised by the amount of people trying to fuel their own self interests. From Solarhart plugging their products to a man claiming his skylights are the best thing to happen to sustainability ever. Yeah right these people clearly dont care for the code of conduct, As do the call centres exploiting the system.
can anyone tell me what I could expect to pay to do the assessors course? I guess it’s between $1200 and $2000 and then there is a registration fee for the Govt?
By the time you pay for your course, insurance, registration and any new equipment, about $4K. Ok it doesnt seem like much but an assessment (4bed/2bath) average home is about 1.5-2 hours plus another hour to input, makes it about long time to recoup your outlay plus expenses, especially if it finishes as predicted. So do think carefully. I would love to think that there will be more funding found, but given the cuts to insulation this week, I doubt that there is any morey $$ in the piggy bank.
Jaded Mick you sound like you are trying to scare people off for your advantage.
It has worked for me.
Not in the slightest. I am in QLD where we are directly competing with the state gov program which gives away items and uses qualified electrician. All which the public percive as they then do not require a GL assessment as without any GL advertising they assume the service is the same. The promised call centre work is about 1 per month so you need to generate your own which is fine, I always assumed that. My point in warning others is not to scare but to inform. I started in June and the program was predicted to be marvelous and whilst the concept is excellent, the implementation, the public understanding and the income leave alot to be desired. I was semi retired so the change in income was not the big deal, but during training there were young ones, leaving full time employment to persue this. And yes, on the information available at the time, the potential income is excellent. What I aimed to let others know is that potential and reality is not always the same thing and to find out as much as possible before financially committing. Honestly, there are easier ways to make 30-40K per year if the program winds up next year as predicted.
Just wondering is all the rebates being closed off on 31.12.09. I would then imagine there could be an opening for the Green loans as of 1st Jan.
And is is true that all houses sold will have to be 5 star energy rated, so there could be abit of work for the tradies?
Was going to take out a loan to the course, as just been made redundant. But now wondering, if it takes months just to get up and running.
My Friend in Grandville Sydney is making $5,000 dollars a week in his suburb….And is run of his feet with the bookings via the ABSA call center…
To Jaded Mick what “new equipment” are you referring to in your list of costs that equal up to $4k ?
Course $1900 (before they discounted it – makes you wonder about the quality of training?), Insurance $1100, ABSA $660, so without any “equipment” $3660. Then you must have access to the internet as it is all internet based, mobile phone, car expenses, you need to maintain your indemnity insurance for a further year after your last assessment (5 years if you register as a company. I purchased a PDA to reduce the double data input time ($800) plus had to update to a 3G phone for better reception.
Just before Christmas the bookings were out to 150000, with no sign of slowing down, with now over 3000 assessors registered. Remember, there are only 360 000 assessments available. So, do I think those that start now will get there money back? Possibly, but given the end is in sight, to just make your money back is a poor outcome. As I have always said, if you choose to go down this track, do so with your eyes open.
As for the star rating for a house to be sold, this is true. By mid 2011 all homes will need to have an energy assessment, BUT how this will be conducted has not yet been announced. It may be as simple as a Q & A that the house holder submits. Hopefully, it will need an assessor, but our current training does not qualify anyone for this, further training will be required.
Hi,
I am currently working in the W.A mining sector, cant believe the waste of energy that goes on over here. I completed my Household Assessors course in August this year and am doing house assessments when I am on R & R from the mines. My inner Brisbane suburbs are (Nundah,Virginia,Chermside,Aspley ect).
Its my way of doing my little bit to help our planet, call me on 0431 733 969, if you want an assessment done, they only take 1 – 2 hours depending on the size of your home.
Well it looks as if the end is nigh. The measure of success of the program is in the eye of the beholder. Hopefully it will be the start of a a greater “green” awareness. For those considering a greenloan, or those that would just like to see if they can reduce there current energy useage, log on to http://www.greencountry.com.au and book an assessment. You never know what you ould save!!!
Cheers
Tammy
Well the end is here Tammy and to all you people that rorted this
on so many levels and used it as some kind of get rich scheme ?
Good riddance and remember the people that died installing your recommendations….
Innocent Australians
Was the program a success or was it exploited via people that did not care about our environment but saw an opportunity to merely make a very fast dollar ?
Regards
Hey gang!
We’ve been watching this space for sometime now and maybe we’ve caught on to the end of the tail as its having its last wag, but from all of the advice we’ve sought and the contacts within government we’ve made, we have no reason to believe that they will let this project die.
As many of you have heard the call centre is flat out, there are way more assessors than first imagined and the money is quickly running out… BUT… also as you’ve spoken of, the government is currently passing a law which will see the requirement of every commercial and residential property to be 5-Star Energy Assessed and Rated before it able to be sold.
This will open up a huge opportunity – which reality would show that this was the plan all along, for HSA’s to be privatised.
This being said, as a HSA you will be required to do your own marketing and lead generation, which is why we are about to launch (to the public) our new site for Home Sustainability Assessors http://www.findhomesustainabilityassessor.com.au
Even though we haven’t launched officially, we’re ranking #1 on Google for home sustainability assessor sydney and #2 for home sustainability assessor melbourne.
So if you’re wanting to pick up some more assessments while the money is still there for residential assessments under the Green Loans scheme give me a call on 1300 883 830 or email me at nathan@findmarketing.com.au.
We are limiting Premium Listings to just 3 per postcode, so you’ll need to be quick.
I’d love to hear some feedback about the site and the service, and happy to answer any questions Assessors might have.
Keep up the great work guys and gals, we need you for our planet to keep on turning!
regards
Nathan Hulls
Find Marketing
http://www.findmarketing.com.au
http://www.findhomesustainabilityassessor.com.au
1300 883 830
You know Fred,
When you makes assumptions and generalisations, it really makes you look foolish when you realise you have gone off half cocked.
Greencountry never conducted copius numbers of assessments per assessor. All assessments were an hour and a half at least, with alot up to 2 hours. Never once was a call center used to generate an appointment, all HH’s were genuinly interested in sustainability with some great outcomes, and whilst we never recommended a specific company we always strongly urged HH to use local companies and get 3 quotes, supporting the LOCAL economy. With most of our work coming from referals from satisfied householders, I feel we have done the job as it was intended. Yes there were certainly those that rorted the system, but PLEASE do not tar and feather us all with the same brush, some of us have a bigger vision than the GL program. We practice what we preach and I take issue with your comment about exploiting the program.
I also take personal offence to your comment that people died installing my recommendations, as you suggest. Clearly you have been poorly informed and have confused the two programs. The goal of the assessments was and still is to start with low and no cost improvements. These assessments still continue and do still have the same value as previously IF YOUR INTENTION WAS TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF YOUR HOME, and the assessment is carried out by a reputable assessor.
Hi All,
We are trying to find all assessors both contracted and uncontracted. We are a group of assessors dedicated to compensation for all, due to the management of this programme. Assessors can not take anymore, and we are letting them know this! We have teamed up with the insulation installers and have just come back from Canberra last week after a rally at Parliament House. Due to the small amount of assessors accessing the formal forums it is extremely difficult to reach everyone. If you are interested please contact us, if you know any other assessors please tell them about us.
Sorry I thought the website would come up, here it is afairgoforaustraliangreenassessors.bigpixie.com
Dear Tammy,
I have to have a chuckle re supporting the local economy,Is this why so many highly (4 day trained assessors) are using OFF SHORE telemarketing companies?
My suggestion to all assessors is go private and not rely on the Australian Tax Payer to earn your dollars.Maybe even offer the home owner a $50.00 discount to purchase light globes as a marketing ploy?
Regards
Fred
hmmmmm, can only suggest you reread my comment before making further assumptions
Hello Tammy and thank you for the reply,i apologise for my late response.Tammy my 4 day trained Issue still requires answering and was there a pass or fail after the 4 days training?
I think this industry to be a winner is go private but assesors need the skills and knowledge to make this happen and not rely on the goverment to provide a wage,so as as i have commented go private.
If I can answer that one….
Yes there was a pass/fail but truely it wasnt too difficult. The point is there was originally a fairly stringent previous experience/education requirement, so therefore one shouldnt assume that an assessore has only had 4 days of training. Eventually you are correct, private will be the way to go. However, it comes down to what the public will accept. Just because the source of oncome is govt funding, does not make it bad.
We supply several companies Green Start (Formally Green Loans) and Solar Panel Leads.We are Australian owned and operated. Full details are available here. http://www.greenstartleads.com and http://www.solarpanelleadsaustralia.com
Let us know if you need assistance
As with my post over on the Green Start blog, these greenstart leads are not allowed within the parameters of the tender. It clearly states that there is to be no cold calling, and if it is done, then the contract will be terminated. Black and white, no leeway!!!
I am very surprised to see the above post be allowed to remain on this blog when it clearly contravenes the rules of the program. It is shonks like these that have contributed to the mess the industry is in.
Mad Mick i totally agree with the no cold calling and the use of overseas telemarketers that a lot of assesors use to gain leads,but Mick when you look at the forums the majority seem to be shell shocked re this RULE.As per my previous posts we need to go Private and run as a buisness this will lead the shonks onto another venture and make our Industry Bonifide and non realiant on the Goverment to earn a a wage.