Federal: Cheaper Home Batteries Program
The program runs through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Your battery creates STCs based on its usable capacity, and the installer takes their value off the price. Full rules are on our Cheaper Home Batteries Program page.
| Installed | STCs per kWh | 10 kWh battery | 20 kWh battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May to 31 December 2026 | 6.8 | $2,720 | $4,760 |
| January to June 2027 | 5.7 | $2,280 | $4,000 |
| July to December 2027 | 5.2 | $2,080 | $3,640 |
| January to June 2028 | 4.6 | $1,840 | $3,200 |
| July to December 2028 | 4.1 | $1,640 | $2,880 |
| January to June 2029 | 3.6 | $1,440 | $2,520 |
| July to December 2029 | 3.1 | $1,240 | $2,160 |
| January to June 2030 | 2.6 | $1,040 | $1,800 |
| July to December 2030 | 2.1 | $840 | $1,440 |
Dollar values use the $40 Clearing House price; most certificates trade a little below it.
Eligibility in brief
The battery must be connected to new or existing solar, be on the Clean Energy Council approved list, be capable of joining a virtual power plant (joining is optional), and be installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer. Batteries from 5 to 100 kWh qualify, with certificates for up to 50 kWh. There is no means test.
State and territory battery incentives
| State | Program | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| WA | WA Residential Battery Scheme | Rebate up to $1,300 (Synergy) or $3,800 (Horizon Power), based on 10 kWh; no-interest loans up to $10,000 over up to 10 years for households earning under $210,000. VPP participation required. |
| NSW | Virtual power plant incentive | An upfront payment for connecting a battery of 2 to 50 kWh to a VPP, based on capacity made available up to 28 kWh. Amount varies by provider. |
| ACT | Sustainable Household Scheme | Loans of $2,000 to $20,000 at 3% over up to 10 years for batteries and other upgrades |
| VIC | None open | The Solar Homes battery loan closed in May 2025 |
| QLD | None open | The Battery Booster program closed in 2024 |
| NT | None open | The Home and Business Battery Scheme is closed |
| SA, TAS | None | Federal program only |
In WA, the state says the two programs together are worth up to about $5,000 for Synergy customers and $7,500 for Horizon Power customers on a 10 kWh battery. The WA rebate also requires a battery and inverter on Synergy's or Horizon Power's supported lists.
How to claim
Get quotes that show each discount
The federal STC discount should be listed as a line on the quote. In WA, the vendor applies for the state rebate for you.
Check the install date
The federal discount depends on when the battery is installed, not when you sign. A delay past 31 December 2026 means a lower factor.
Compare VPP offers separately
In NSW and WA, the VPP you join affects your incentive and ongoing income. See virtual power plants.
Common questions
The federal discount is 6.8 STCs per eligible kWh for batteries installed from 1 May to 31 December 2026. On a 10 kWh battery that is 68 STCs, worth up to $2,720 at the $40 Clearing House price.
WA has a state rebate of up to $1,300 or $3,800 plus no-interest loans. NSW pays a VPP incentive, and the ACT offers low-interest loans. Victoria, Queensland, SA, Tasmania and the NT had no open state battery program in October 2026.
Not for the federal discount; the battery only needs to be VPP-capable. The WA state rebate does require VPP participation, and the NSW incentive is paid for joining one.
Sources
Every program detail comes from the government that runs it, checked in October 2026. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.
- Clean Energy Regulator, battery rebates changing 1 May 2026
- Clean Energy Regulator, solar batteries
- DCCEEW, Cheaper Home Batteries Program
- WA Government, Residential Battery Scheme
- NSW Climate and Energy Action, virtual power plant incentive
- ACT Climate Choices, Sustainable Household Scheme
- business.gov.au, Home and Business Battery Scheme NT