Some 90% of First Nations who responded to a recent Heat Survey say their homes get too hot and they're struggling to afford their energy bills.

First Nations are also twice as likely as others surveyed to seek heat-related medical attention.

Some 90% of First Nations who responded to a recent Heat Survey say their homes get too hot and they're struggling to afford their energy bills.

First Nations are also twice as likely as others surveyed to seek heat-related medical attention.

Distributed by ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service in partnership with the First Nations Energy Network and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA), the annual survey is tracking the intersection between heat, housing, energy costs, and people experiencing financial and social disadvantage.

The ACOSS final report states the situation facing First Nations people surveyed is worse on most indicators and must be prioritised for solutions.

Read the report here

While rooftop solar has been installed on over 3.5 million houses in Australia, there are next to none on First Nations homes.

First Nations remain locked out of clean energy investment and housing and community-led initiatives, yet frequently experience unreliable, expensive, or power disconnections, living without an air conditioner as the climate warms, without a refrigerator to keep food and medicines cool, and without the ability to recharge phones and computers so that kids can do their homework.

While we continue to strongly advocate for government-backed renewable energy rebates and incentives for First Nations households, this session looks at what we can do now to improve our energy security - the appliances that pass the test, how to get off gas, and other simple energy efficiency measures to save us money on our electrification journey.

SPEAKERS: Janeen Bulsey, Vanessa Davis, Kerry Connors, Ruby Heard (Facilitator)

A new national survey has found over 70% of First Nations people struggle to cool their homes.