Gas ducted heating installation in Melbourne is still available for many existing homes. Victoria is moving towards electrification, but the rules you may have seen in the news mainly affect new buildings, new gas connections and, from 2027, certain appliance replacements.
If your home is already connected to gas and you are considering a new ducted heater or replacing an ageing system, the important questions are more practical.
How much will it cost? Can the existing ducts be reused? Who is legally allowed to do the work? And does gas still make sense compared with reverse-cycle electric heating?
This guide will take you through those questions before you request a quote. If you are ready to have your existing setup assessed, Melbourne Gas Plumber provides gas fitting services across Melbourne, including gas appliance connections and new gas pipework.
For an existing owner-occupied Melbourne home that already has a gas connection, gas space heating has not been banned.
The confusion largely comes from several different Victorian policy changes being discussed together.
From 1 January 2024, Victorian planning rules began preventing reticulated natural gas connections for new dwellings, apartment developments and residential subdivisions where the relevant planning permit application was lodged on or after that date.
Alterations and extensions to existing dwellings are specifically excluded from that planning provision.
The next major change starts on 1 January 2027. New residential buildings will have to be all-electric. The new rules will also prevent an existing building that has never been connected to gas from adding a new gas connection.
For existing owner-occupiers that are already connected, however, the Victorian Government says there is no requirement to upgrade existing gas space heating or gas cooking to electric.
From 1 March 2027, the mandatory end-of-life change for owner-occupiers applies to gas hot water, not gas space heating.
LPG is treated differently again. The Victorian Government states that LPG or bottled-gas appliances are not affected by the Building Electrification Regulations.
So, if you are researching gas ducted heating installation in Melbourne for an established home, check two things first: whether the property already has gas and whether it is an owner-occupied or rental property. Those details increasingly affect your options.
There is no single reliable flat price because a changeover using existing ductwork is a very different job from designing a complete system for a home that has never had ducted heating.
Current published Melbourne pricing suggests a straightforward gas ducted heater replacement can sit around $2,200 to $4,500, while a complete new installation with ductwork commonly reaches around $4,500 to $9,500. Large homes, difficult access, extensive zoning or more complex duct layouts can take the total beyond that range.
Treat those figures as budgeting guides rather than quotes.
Your price will mainly depend on:
A cheaper heater does not necessarily mean a cheaper installation. Poor roof access, deteriorated ducting or an undersized gas supply can add considerably more work than the unit itself.
That is why an on-site assessment is useful before comparing quotes. Melbourne Gas Plumber advertises upfront pricing with no hidden costs, as well as same-day gas plumbing service for calls before 10:30 am. Its website also advertises a $0 callout.
If you are budgeting for a new system, ask for a quote that clearly separates the heater, ductwork, controls, gas pipework, labour, removal and required compliance documentation.
A gas ducted heater warms air at a central heating unit, then a fan distributes that heated air through insulated ducts to outlets around the home. A return-air path brings air back to the unit so the process can continue.
If you want a more detailed explanation before looking at installation, our guide to how a gas heater works explains the basic heating process.
The exact installation varies by property, but most projects follow these stages.
The first job is working out how much heating the home actually needs.
Floor area matters, but it should not be the only consideration. Ceiling height, insulation, glazing, layout and the areas you want to heat all affect system sizing.
An undersized heater may struggle on colder days. Oversizing is not automatically better either, because correct equipment and duct sizing are important for efficient operation and comfort.
The assessment should also identify suitable locations for the heater, return-air grille, outlets, thermostat and any zones.
For a completely new system, ductwork normally needs to be routed through the roof space or beneath the floor, depending on the home.
If you already have gas ducted heating, existing ducts may be reusable. They should not simply be assumed to be suitable because they are already there.
Ageing flexible ducts can become damaged, poorly sealed or deteriorated. The duct size and layout also need to suit the replacement system. Where the existing network is still appropriately sized and in good condition, reusing it can reduce both installation time and cost.
The heating unit is positioned in its approved location and connected to the duct system.
The gas appliance and consumer gas piping must be handled by a practitioner authorised for gasfitting work. The Building and Plumbing Commission lists installing and commissioning Type A gas appliances among the normal areas of work covered by its Gasfitting class.
The installer also checks whether the existing gas pipe is capable of supplying the heater along with the home’s other gas appliances. If it is not, pipework may need to be altered or upgraded.
The thermostat and any zoning controls are then installed and connected as part of the overall system setup.
The installation is not finished when the heater first turns on.
Gas work needs to be tested and commissioned so the installer can confirm that the appliance and gas installation are operating safely and correctly. This includes checking the gas installation and following the appliance manufacturer’s commissioning requirements.
For a standard gas installation, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 is a key applicable gas installation standard in Victoria.
A compliance certificate is also required for the installation, relocation or replacement of a Type A gas appliance regardless of the job’s value. It is also required for installation, modification or relocation of consumer gas piping. The licensed plumber must provide the certificate to the customer within five days of completing the relevant work.
A straightforward changeover may be completed within a day. A full new installation requiring new ducts, outlets or substantial pipework can take longer, particularly in larger or difficult-to-access homes.
This is an area where terminology matters.
A standard domestic gas ducted heater is generally a Type A gas appliance. Installing and commissioning a Type A appliance falls within Victoria’s Gasfitting work class.
The Building and Plumbing Commission says practitioners in this class typically prepare, install and commission Type A gas appliances, install flues and provide the ventilation required when installing or replacing them.
Do not confuse this with the specialised Type A appliance servicing class. That specialised class applies to internal cleaning, maintenance, adjustment and component servicing of Type A appliances.
It is important when your heater is being serviced, but it is not a separate “Type A installation licence”.
Ductwork is another part of the job. The BPC classifies the installation of ductwork associated with mechanical heating and ventilation systems as mechanical services work.
Contractors responsible for that part of the installation need the appropriate registration, licence or supervision arrangements for the work they perform.
The Victorian Building Authority is now operating as the Building and Plumbing Commission, or BPC. The BPC was established from 1 July 2025 and now regulates plumbing practitioner licensing and registration in Victoria.
Before engaging an installer, check that the people carrying out each regulated part of the job hold the appropriate Victorian credentials. Melbourne Gas Plumber’s licensed gas fitter Melbourne service covers gas appliance installation, connections and pipework.
Trying to install or alter the gas system yourself is not a safe shortcut. The BPC can investigate unregistered or unlicensed plumbing work and take enforcement action, including prosecution.
As of August 2026, the 2024 planning prohibition is focused on new dwellings, apartment developments and residential subdivisions covered by the planning rules. It does not broadly prohibit every existing dwelling from connecting to gas.
However, this changes soon.
From 1 January 2027, Victoria’s Building Electrification Regulations will prohibit adding a gas connection to an existing building that does not already have one.
If you own an established property with no current gas supply and are considering a new gas installation, check the property’s eligibility and timing before committing to a heating system. Connection availability also depends on the local gas network.
Where a property already has a gas meter but the heater location is not supplied, a gasfitter may instead need to extend or alter the consumer pipework. Melbourne Gas Plumber’s guide to the gas line installation process explains what is involved in running gas pipework from the existing supply to an appliance.
LPG remains an alternative in situations where it is suitable because the Victorian building electrification rules do not apply to LPG in the same way as reticulated natural gas.
The heater itself is only part of a safe and effective ducted system.
Victorian gas safety requirements include checking appropriate appliance clearances and ensuring there is adequate ventilation for gas appliances to operate safely. Installation must also follow the appliance manufacturer’s specifications.
The air-distribution side needs similar attention. Return-air provisions, duct sizes, insulation, outlet locations and sealing all affect how effectively heat reaches each room.
Existing ducts can therefore become an unexpected part of a replacement quote. Ductwork that is damaged, badly deteriorated, poorly insulated or unsuitable for the new heater may need partial or complete replacement.
Finding that out during the initial assessment is far better than connecting a new heater to a duct network that cannot distribute its output properly.
If your existing gas ducted heater is approaching replacement age, it is worth comparing gas with reverse-cycle electric heating rather than assuming like-for-like replacement is automatically the best option.
Gas ducted heating can make practical sense where a home is already connected to gas, suitable ducts are in place and the owner prefers the strong whole-home warm-air delivery of an existing gas setup.
Reverse-cycle electric systems have different advantages. They provide both heating and cooling and current Victorian Government modelling estimates lower annual heating costs for reverse-cycle systems than gas ducted heating across the small, medium and large homes modelled.
Victoria is also actively encouraging the switch. Under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, eligible households replacing a ducted gas heater with an efficient ducted reverse-cycle air conditioner can currently access discounts that vary according to system size and other eligibility requirements.
Rebate values and program rules can change, so check the current Victorian Energy Upgrades information before making a decision rather than budgeting around an old advertised figure.
The best choice therefore depends on your existing infrastructure, installation cost, cooling needs, energy use and how long you expect to stay in the property.
Rental properties need some extra attention because Victorian rules are changing.
At present, rental providers with agreements entered into after 29 March 2021 must arrange a gas safety check at least every two years when the property has gas appliances, fixtures or fittings. From 13 October 2026, the two-yearly gas and electrical safety-check requirement will apply to all Victorian rental agreements, regardless of when the agreement began.
These gas safety checks must be carried out by a suitably qualified gasfitter. Where Type A appliance servicing is involved, the gasfitter needs the specialised Type A appliance servicing registration or licence required for that work.
There is another important change from 1 March 2027. When a heating appliance in a Victorian rental property breaks and cannot be repaired, the rental provider will be required to replace it with an efficient electric reverse-cycle air conditioner in the main living area.
That makes the decision different for a landlord than for an owner-occupier.
If you are considering installing or replacing gas ducted heating in a rental property, factor the upcoming minimum-energy-efficiency requirements into the decision and keep all installation, compliance and servicing records.
A straightforward replacement using suitable existing infrastructure may be completed within a day. A new installation involving ductwork, additional outlets, difficult roof or underfloor access, or gas pipe upgrades can take one or more days.
Your installer should give you a more accurate timeframe after inspecting the property.
Often, yes.
Existing ducts can potentially be retained when they are in good condition, correctly sized and compatible with the replacement system. Damaged, leaking, deteriorated or unsuitable ducts should be repaired or replaced rather than automatically connected to the new heater.
No. Regulated gasfitting work must be undertaken by appropriately registered or licensed practitioners.
The BPC can investigate unregistered and unlicensed plumbing work and may take enforcement action where regulated work is carried out without the required credentials.
Gas work is also a serious safety issue. An incorrect connection can result in leaks, fire risks or unsafe combustion products.
For the gas appliance installation, yes.
The BPC requires a compliance certificate for the installation, relocation or replacement of any Type A gas-using appliance regardless of the total value of the work. A certificate is also required when consumer gas piping is installed, modified or relocated.
Only a licensed plumber can issue the certificate. Keep your copy with your home records.
Poor or uneven heating, repeated shutdowns, unexpected increases in energy use and unusual gas heater noise can all justify having the system inspected.
An unusual noise does not automatically mean the entire system needs replacement. The cause could be within the appliance, fan or another component, so arrange a qualified inspection before deciding whether repair or replacement makes better sense.
Gas ducted heating remains an option for many established Melbourne owner-occupied homes, particularly properties that already have a gas connection and suitable ductwork.
The important point is to make the decision based on your actual property rather than headlines about Victoria’s transition away from gas.
Your final installation cost will depend heavily on heater capacity, duct condition, access and whether gas pipework needs to change.
Just as importantly, the regulated gas and mechanical-services work must be handled by practitioners with the appropriate Victorian credentials, with the required compliance documentation supplied when the job is complete.
If you would like to know what is practical in your home, contact Melbourne Gas Plumber for professional gas fitting services. Our team provides gas plumbing services throughout Melbourne, with upfront pricing and same-day service advertised for calls made before 10:30 am.
Every week, we share practical insights based on the combined knowledge and real-world experience of our team. Our articles cover gas fitting, gas safety, appliance installation, hot water systems, maintenance and everyday plumbing issues, so you can make well-informed decisions about your gas plumbing needs.
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