Victoria Bans New Gas Hot Water Systems From 2027

New homes from 2027 must also be ‘all electric.’

A Rinnai gas hot water system is seen on a building in Albany, Western Australia, on Aug. 21, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Victoria will ban new gas hot water systems from 2027, meaning residents will need to replace end-of-life appliances with an electric hot water device.

In addition, all newly built residential and commercial buildings will need to be completely electric.

Gas heaters at the end of their life will also need to be replaced with reverse-cycle air conditioners.

However, gas appliances in old or existing homes will be able to remain.

“Under new regulations from 1 March 2027, when a gas hot water system reaches the end of its life, it must be replaced with an efficient electric alternative like a heat pump,” the Victorian government said.

“Gas hot water systems can still be repaired if they break down—this is about the gas system’s end of life. Gas systems can also be temporarily removed and reinstalled during renovations.”

It confirmed there would be “no changes to gas cooking” in existing homes or commercial properties.

“There are no changes to rules regarding end-of-life replacement for gas appliances in all existing commercial buildings. The use of [gas] for households or business is also unchanged,” the government noted.

The government this new gas plan (pdf) would future-proof new homes and buildings and save new homeowners an estimated $880 per year, or up to $1,820 with the addition of solar.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said industry would get the gas it needs, while Victorian jobs would be “protected.”

“We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs—we are reserving it for industry,” she said.

Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio added, “We’re taking action now to secure Victoria’s gas supply—not just for today, but for the decades ahead.”

Under the government’s plan, from the start of new rental leases in March 2027, landlords must ensure the main living areas have an “efficient electric cooling system.”

Further, a minimum four-star rated shower will need to be installed in properties at the start of new leases.

Liberals Concerned About Labor Plans After Election

Shadow Minister for Energy David Davis raised concerns Labor could further remove gas from households if the party wins the 2026 election.

He said Labor’s “confusion” on their gas bans should not be misunderstood.

“Strong bans still remain in place and if Labor is reelected in November 2026, they will move to full bans on gas hot water heaters, replacement heating appliances and gas cookers,” he said in a post to Facebook

Davis has set up a petition entitled “No Gas Ban,” where he encourages Victorians to write to the premier and energy minister to voice their opposition to say no to the gas substitution roadmap.

“Labor’s ban on gas is an attack on your freedom of choice,” a video states on the petition page.

Victorian Government Originally Flagged Electrifying Existing Properties

This comes after concerns had been raised that gas cooktops could be in danger of needing to be replaced when the 2023 gas substitution roadmap (pdf) was released.

In this roadmap, D'Ambrosio originally flagged “investigating options to progressively electrify new and existing residential and most commercial buildings.”

The government said in an earlier version of the road map, “Recent studies have shown potential health risks associated with gas cooking.”

However, in September 2024, the premier reassured Victorians they would be able to continue to cook on their current gas tops.

“I am wanting to be really clear that Victorians can continue to keep cooking with gas on their existing gas stove, and if they need to replace it, they will be able to do so,” Allan told reporters.

On June 24, 2025, the Victorian government released the Gas Security Statement (pdf). In this plan, the government said gas was “no longer the cheap and abundant resource that it once was.”

“Victoria’s legacy fields in the Bass Strait are depleting rapidly and markets have not contracted for new supplies to fill the gap,” the plan said.