The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program now discounts eligible batteries by roughly 30%, and a few states add their own incentives on top. Just as importantly, several state schemes have closed. We say so plainly rather than list dead rebates as if they were live.
Source data last verified 21 June 2026.
Federal: Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Active
National ~30% upfront discount on eligible home batteries (5–100 kWh), delivered as a point-of-sale STC discount on the install — no separate application, not means-tested. Began 1 July 2025; runs to 2030. Funding expanded from $2.3bn to $7.2bn.
Current value
~$252 per usable kWh (Zone 3 states, from 1 May 2026)
Based on an STC factor of 6.8/kWh and ~$37/STC after admin costs. Was ~$311/kWh before 1 May 2026. Per-kWh value is higher in sunnier STC zones (e.g. QLD Zone 2 ~$280/kWh, far-north QLD Zone 1 ~$330/kWh) and applies to the first 14 kWh at full rate.
Size tiering
From 1 May 2026 the rebate tapers by battery size: 0–14 kWh full STC factor (100%), 14–28 kWh at 60%, 28–50 kWh at 15%. Usable capacity above 50 kWh gets no STC discount (batteries up to 100 kWh still eligible to install). Strongest value is the first 14 kWh.
Step-down
STC factor steps DOWN every 6 months from 1 May 2026 through to scheme end in 2030 (8.4 → toward ~2.1/kWh by 2030). Installing earlier locks in a higher rebate — the factor is set on the installation date.
Eligibility
Battery usable capacity 5–100 kWh (STCs on first 50 kWh only)
Installed/commissioned on or after 1 July 2025
CEC-approved battery, installed by an SAA-accredited installer to Australian Standards
Connected to new or existing solar PV; grid-connected or eligible off-grid
VPP-capable required (from May 2026); one rebate per electricity meter/NMI
~$720–$1,500 (VPP connection incentive; varies by battery size & provider)
Not a purchase rebate — an incentive for connecting a battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant. Stackable with the federal CHBP. NSW also offers the Home Energy Saver interest-free loan (up to ~$15,000, income-tested under ~$210k household).
Victoria has NO active state battery rebate in 2026. The Solar Homes battery rebate and its interest-free loan both CLOSED (late 2024). Victorian households now access the federal CHBP only. Ignore older guides citing Solar Homes battery figures.
QLD has NO active state battery rebate in 2026. The Battery Booster program (up to ~$3,000, means-tested) closed to new applications when the federal scheme launched. Federal CHBP only — but QLD is STC Zone 2 (Zone 1 in far north), so the federal per-kWh value is higher than in southern states.
VPP incentive via Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS)
Varies by retailer/VPP
SA's direct Home Battery Scheme (up to ~$6,000) CLOSED in 2022. A VPP-linked incentive exists under REPS (cashback for connecting batteries to approved VPPs); the state has since focused on the emPowering SA community-battery program. Federal CHBP applies. Verify current REPS/VPP offers with retailers.
Synergy customers up to ~$1,300; Horizon Power customers up to ~$3,800
Upfront rebate for VPP-connected batteries, stackable with the federal CHBP. Synergy (SWIS) up to ~$1,300; Horizon Power (regional) up to ~$3,800 ($380/kWh capped at 10 kWh). Interest-free loans (up to ~$10,000) available to eligible households. VPP participation required; one per property/NMI.
No direct state battery rebate. Tasmanians can access interest-free Energy Saver Loans (up to ~$10,000) covering battery storage among other energy upgrades, plus the federal CHBP.
Not a direct rebate — a zero/low-interest loan (currently ~3%) of $2,000–$15,000 for batteries and other energy upgrades. Zero-interest available to eligible concession-card holders via the Home Energy Support Program. Stacks with the federal CHBP.
The NT Home and Business Battery Scheme (grants up to ~$5,000) has CLOSED — its $6m funding cap was reached. Federal CHBP applies; monitor for any reopening.
Battery rebate values change frequently. The federal rebate steps down every 6 months until 2030. Figures below are indicative and depend on STC price at install, battery usable capacity, your STC zone, and installation date. Always confirm the current amount with an accredited installer and the official source before relying on it.
Common questions
How much is the federal battery rebate in 2026?
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program gives roughly a 30% upfront discount on eligible batteries, delivered as a point-of-sale STC discount — no application and not means-tested. From 1 May 2026 it’s worth about $252 per usable kWh in Zone 3 states (more in sunnier zones), applied to the first 14 kWh at the full rate. The amount steps down every six months until the scheme ends in 2030.
Why do you list closed state schemes instead of hiding them?
Because the most common error on comparison pages is listing dead rebates as if they’re still open — the Victorian Solar Homes battery rebate, Queensland’s Battery Booster and South Australia’s Home Battery Scheme have all closed. Telling you plainly that a scheme has closed is more useful than a stale figure, so we mark lifecycle status (active or closed) on every state.
Can I claim a state battery scheme and the federal one together?
Often yes. The active state schemes — NSW and WA VPP incentives, the SA REPS incentive, and the interest-free loans in TAS and the ACT — are generally designed to stack on top of the federal discount. Eligibility rules differ, so confirm with an accredited installer for your situation.
Should I install sooner to get a bigger rebate?
The federal STC factor is set on your installation date and steps down every six months from 1 May 2026, so installing earlier locks in a higher rebate. That said, sizing the battery to your actual usage matters more than rushing — our battery payback calculator helps you check the maths.