Lighting

Phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs

Working with the states and territories, the Australian Government will gradually phase out all inefficient incandescent light bulbs.

Savings to the environment

The phase-out will deliver considerable savings to the environment and the economy. Across the country, the move to more efficient lighting, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), is expected to save around 30 terawatt hours of electricity and 28 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently decommissioning a small coal-fired power station or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road permanently. It is expected to result in savings to the Australian economy of around $380 million per year by 2020 and net savings of more than $50 per year for each household that changes all of its incandescent light globes to CFLs.

Phase-out timetable

The phase-out of inefficient light bulbs has been implemented over a number of stages.

The first stage was the introduction of an import restriction on inefficient incandescent general lighting service (GLS) light bulbs from 1 February 2009. Further information on import controls of GLS electric filament lamps is set out in Australian Customs Notice No. 2009/04 – please visit the Australian Customs Service website.

Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) have been applied in a staged approach at point of sale to the following lamp types:


Lamp TypeSales restriction from
  • Tungsten filament incandescent general lighting service (GLS) light bulbs
  • Extra low voltage (ELV) halogen non-reflector lamps
  • Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
 1 November 2009
  • >40W candle, fancy round and decorative lamps
  • ELV halogen reflector lamps*
 1 October 2010
  • Mains voltage halogen non-reflector lamps**
 1 January 2011
  • >25W candle fancy round and decorative lamps
 1 October 2012
  • Mains voltage reflector lamps, including halogen (PAR, ER, R, etc)**
 October 2013
Date to be reviewed and determined dependent on availability of efficient replacement products
  • Pilot lamps 25W and below
 To be determined dependent on the availability of efficient replacement products

* For ELV halogen reflector lamps, the average measured wattage shall be no more than 37W – effective 14 April 2012.

** Refer to Regulatory Ruling #43C

Products brought into the country after the date of the sales restriction must meet specific MEPS and be registered with the national regulator. Information on registration is available on the Energy Rating website.

The dates provided for the application of MEPS to specific lighting products are dependent upon the availability of effective and efficient alternatives being readily available in the market.

Globe conversion table

The table below shows the light output of equivalent traditional incandescent light bulbs, CFLs and mains voltage halogen lamps.

Light Globe Conversion Table

Light Output in Lumens (lm)

Incandescent Bulb

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)*

Mains Voltage Halogen**

220

25 W

5–7 W

18 W

420

40 W

7–8 W

28 W

720

60 W

11–12 W

42 W

930

75 W

13–18 W

52 W

1300

100 W

18–23 W

70 W

NOTE: The wattages listed above for compact fluorescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps are approximations only and may vary between manufacturers. Use wattages as a guide only. Alternatively, refer to the 'Light Output in Lumens' column. You can then check the lumen output (lm) shown on the lamp package you are purchasing.

* CFLs come in a range of colours, including:

  • Warm White – provides a soft warmer light comparable to light provided by traditional incandescent light bulbs.
  • Cool White – provides neutral light comparable to office lighting.
  • Daylight – similar to outdoor light comparable to midday lighting conditions.

** Mains voltage halogen lamps are similar in appearance to traditional incandescent light bulbs and are suitable alternatives for light fixtures that require functions such as dimming and touch or sensor control, however, they are not as efficient as CFLs.