The first NSW households are already reducing their energy use and saving money through upgrades delivered under the Minns Labor Government's new Home Energy Saver program, with hundreds more lining up to follow.
The Minns Labor Government is providing eligible households with access to zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 to make energy-saving upgrades.
Just two weeks after the program launched, more than 800 loan applications have been received and upgrades have already been installed in a dozen homes, helping them cut energy use, reduce their bills and make their homes cheaper to run.
The completed installations include:
- 4 home batteries in western Sydney, the Hills District and Shoalhaven
- 3 rooftop solar and battery systems in western Sydney, the Sutherland Shire and the Hunter
- 2 reverse cycle air conditioners in south-western Sydney
- 2 heat pump hot water systems in western Sydney and the Central Coast
- 1 rooftop solar system in north-western Sydney.
The more than 800 loan applications, worth a combined $10 million, have come from households across the state - from Dubbo to Broken Hill, Albury to Lismore.
The $557 million Home Energy Saver program includes zero-interest loans for households with a combined taxable income up to $210,000. Targeted discounts up to $4,000 will be available later in 2026 to households with a combined annual income up to $80,000 or an eligible concession card.
In addition to energy savings, millions of motorists and public transport users will avoid higher transport costs from July under the Minns Labor Government's $561 million Transport Affordability Package announced in the NSW Budget.
The Government is helping reduce costs for motorists by lowering the weekly toll cap to $50, taking $100 off vehicle registration, freezing Opal fares for a year and scrapping toll administration fees.
These measures are part of the Minns Labor Government's Budget, designed to help provide some relief for families feeling cost-of-living pressure.
$100 off rego
The owners of around 4.4 million vehicles will receive $100 off their registration, while motorcyclists will receive an $80 discount.
The discount will apply to all eligible new and renewed private vehicle registrations from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, with no limit on the number of vehicles eligible per owner.
Discounts will be automatically deducted from the cost of registration on drivers' next renewal notice. Drivers can renew registration online, by calling 13 77 88 or at a Service NSW Centre.
Lower $50 weekly toll cap
While Western Sydney motorists have been hardest hit by the Liberal-National Government's privatisation of Sydney's roads, an extra 200,000 drivers are expected to benefit from the toll cap being lowered to $50 a week.
The new $50 weekly cap will be in place for 12 months from 6 July 2026. The first claims under the lower cap can be lodged from early October.
The Minns Labor Government's toll cap has so far returned $307 million via nearly one million claims. Toll relief has been provided where it's needed most, saving drivers an average of $316 per claim.
This includes more than $5 million back in the pockets of drivers in Blacktown, around $4.8 million in Baulkham Hills, $4.5 million in Auburn and $4.3 million in Merrylands.
Drivers can claim the toll cap through their MyService NSW Account.
Scrapping toll admin fees
The Minns Labor Government will also scrap toll administration fees. These fees accompany paper toll notices sent to motorists when they miss paying a toll.
This will save at least $10 per notice and remove a charge that cost motorists $60 million last year.
Currently, approximately 50 million paper notices are issued each year and in some cases the admin fee can be as high as $20, often twice as much as the toll itself.
Opal fare freeze
To help provide cost-of-living relief, Opal fares will remain at 2025 prices for the next 12 months.
The weekly $50 Opal cap will remain in place, meaning passengers will never pay more than $50 a week to travel.
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
"The first households are already saving money through the Home Energy Saver program, with solar, batteries, efficient heating and cooling and hot water upgrades now installed.
"More than 800 applications from across NSW in the first two weeks show families want practical help to cut their energy use, lower their bills and make their homes cheaper and more comfortable to run."
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"As the high cost of global oil heaps pressure on family budgets, we're delivering immediate support where we can.
"The $561 million Transport Affordability Package announced in last week's NSW Budget will help millions of drivers and commuters, offering more toll relief, cheaper rego and frozen Opal fares.
"The Home Energy Saver program is also providing direct savings for households, helping them cut both their energy use and their power bills."
