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Gas policy

Gas Bans and Phase-Outs: The Rules in Victoria and the ACT

Victoria and the ACT are moving homes off gas, while other states are letting prices do the work. Here is exactly what the rules require and when.

Checked against government sources, October 2026

Victoria's gas rules

What changes in Victoria
FromRule
1 January 2027New homes must be built all-electric and cannot connect to gas. Homes with a building permit approved before 31 December 2026 may still connect.
1 March 2027When gas hot water in an existing home reaches the end of its life, it must be replaced with an electric system. Working systems can still be repaired.
RentalsStricter rules apply: gas hot water and gas heaters must be replaced with efficient electric options at end of life.
AusNet and Solar Victoria summaries of the Victorian Government's electrification standards.

Gas cooking and heating in owner-occupied homes are not covered by the hot water rule. Help with the switch: the Solar Homes hot water rebate and Victorian Energy Upgrades.

The ACT's gas rules

A regulation under the ACT's Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act has prevented new gas network connections since 8 December 2023 in residential, commercial and community facility zones, with limited exemptions and transitional rules for applications made before then. It also applies to major renovations where a gas connection has been abolished. Existing connections are not affected. The ACT aims to phase out gas by 2045, in line with its net zero target.

Other states

NSW, Queensland, South Australia and WA have no rule stopping homes from connecting to or keeping gas. Nationally, the AEMC's rules mean new connections will pay cost-reflective charges upfront and abolishments will pay their own cost, as gas demand falls. The AER recorded 43,166 disconnections from the networks it regulates in 2024, more than double the 2019 figure.

Planning ahead

If a gas appliance is getting old, price an electric replacement before it fails. See gas vs electric and disconnecting gas.

Common questions

Not for existing homes. From 1 January 2027 new homes must be all-electric, and from 1 March 2027 gas hot water that reaches the end of its life must be replaced with electric. Existing gas heating and cooking can stay in owner-occupied homes.

Not in residential, commercial or community zones. New gas network connections have been banned in the ACT since 8 December 2023, with limited exemptions.

No. NSW has no ban on gas in homes.

Sources

Rules come from the Victorian and ACT governments, as summarised by AusNet and Solar Victoria, and from the AEMC. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.