Solar Battery Rebates Australia 2026: Every State Guide
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has fundamentally changed the economics of battery storage in Australia. Launched on 1 July 2025, it delivers an average of $4,000 to $6,000 off the installed cost of a typical home battery — and it stacks with several state programs that are still active. Understanding what’s available in your state, and how to access it, is worth doing before you sign any quotes.
The Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP)
The federal program is the most significant rebate available to all Australians regardless of state.
How it works: The CHBP uses a similar mechanism to the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) solar rebate. The rebate value is approximately $372 per usable kWh, applied at the point of sale by your CEC-accredited installer. You see the discounted price in your quote — no separate claiming required.
Eligibility:
- Residential property (principal place of residence or rented property)
- Battery must be installed by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer
- Battery must meet technical eligibility (all 22 batteries on Gridly qualify)
- First 50 kWh per household eligible (enough for most standard installs)
- Solar panels not required
Rebate amounts by battery size:
| Battery Size | Rebate (~$372/kWh) |
|---|---|
| 5 kWh (Enphase IQ 5P) | ~$1,860 |
| 10 kWh (Growatt, BYD HVS) | ~$3,720 |
| 13.5 kWh (Tesla Powerwall 3) | ~$5,022 |
| 15–16 kWh (Sungrow, BYD HVM) | ~$5,580–$5,952 |
| 25.6 kWh (Sungrow SBR256) | ~$9,523 (capped at 50kWh) |
The rebate value is indexed to the STC price, which fluctuates. The figures above are based on the March 2026 STC price.
Key Takeaway: The federal rebate alone makes most batteries 30–40% cheaper than their pre-2025 prices. For smaller batteries like the Growatt APX at $4,500, the rebate effectively brings the supply cost close to zero — you’re primarily paying for installation.
State Battery Rebates: Current Status (March 2026)
New South Wales — Up to $1,500 (Active)
Program: NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) and Empowering Homes Program
NSW households can access the PDRS, which provides incentive payments for installing a battery connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The payment varies but can reach $1,500 for eligible VPP participants. The Empowering Homes program provides low-interest loans ($10,000–$14,000 at low fixed rates) for solar + battery systems.
Stacks with federal CHBP: Yes
Best case for NSW: Federal CHBP ($5,000) + PDRS VPP rebate ($1,500) + low-interest loan = a 13kWh system installed for potentially $4,000 to $6,000 out of pocket with a portion financed at below-market rates.
For full details: NSW battery rebates
Western Australia — Up to $1,300 (Active, VPP Required)
Program: Synergy Home Battery Scheme
Synergy (WA’s main electricity retailer) offers up to $1,300 for residential battery installations that connect to an approved Virtual Power Plant. VPP participation is mandatory to receive the rebate — you must allow Synergy to dispatch your battery during peak demand events.
VPP income in WA is typically $130–$450 per year in addition to the upfront rebate.
Stacks with federal CHBP: Yes
For full details: WA battery rebates
Australian Capital Territory — Interest-Free Loans Up to $15,000 (Active)
Program: ACT Sustainable Household Scheme
The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme offers interest-free loans of up to $15,000 repaid over 10 years via your electricity bill. The scheme applies to solar + battery systems, heat pumps, EV chargers, and other electrification upgrades. It does not provide a direct rebate but eliminates the need for out-of-pocket capital for the installation.
A $15,000 loan at 0% interest paid over 10 years costs nothing more than the principal — unlike credit card or personal loan financing.
Stacks with federal CHBP: Yes — the CHBP rebate reduces the loan required.
For full details: ACT battery rebates
Victoria — Federal Only (State Program Closed)
Victoria’s Solar Homes battery rebate program closed in late 2024 after exhausting its funding allocation. As of March 2026, there is no active state battery rebate in Victoria.
Victorian residents can access:
- Federal CHBP (~$372/kWh)
- Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) may provide indirect credits through accredited retailers — check with your installer
For full details: VIC battery rebates
South Australia — Federal Only (State Program Closed)
SA’s Home Battery Scheme offered rebates up to $2,000 but closed in 2024 when funding was exhausted. The federal CHBP is now the main rebate available to SA residents.
Note: SA electricity prices (34–43 cents/kWh) are among Australia’s highest, making the financial case for battery storage particularly strong even without a state rebate.
For full details: SA battery rebates
Queensland — Federal Only (State Program Closed)
QLD’s battery booster program closed in 2024. Federal CHBP applies. Some QLD energy retailers offer VPP participation incentives — check with your installer or retailer for current offers.
For full details: QLD battery rebates
Tasmania — Federal Only
No state-specific battery rebate in TAS. Federal CHBP applies. Aurora Energy (TAS electricity retailer) may offer VPP or demand management incentives — check directly.
Northern Territory — Limited
NT residents have access to federal STCs but the CHBP rollout in NT is more limited. Check with local installers for the latest eligibility details.
How to Maximise Your Rebate
1. Claim the federal CHBP first
This is the largest and most accessible rebate for all Australians. Ensure your installer is CEC-accredited and confirms the CHBP will be applied to your quote at the point of sale.
2. Stack state rebates where available
In NSW and WA, state rebates add meaningfully to the federal benefit. If you’re considering VPP participation, factor in the ongoing annual income (~$130–$450/yr) in addition to the upfront rebate.
3. Consider VPP participation
VPPs (Virtual Power Plants) aggregate home batteries across a neighbourhood or city and dispatch them collectively during grid peak events. In exchange, participants receive annual payments. Major VPP programs in Australia include:
- SA Power Networks (SA)
- Synergy Home Battery Scheme (WA, mandatory for rebate)
- AGL Virtual Power Plant (national)
- Origin Loop (national)
- Tesla Energy Plan (Powerwall customers)
VPP income typically ranges from $130 to $450 per year and is additional to solar feed-in tariffs.
4. Finance at 0% where possible
The ACT’s interest-free loan scheme is effectively free money over 10 years. If you’re in NSW, some banks and green finance providers offer low-rate battery loans — worth comparing before using general financing.
Total Rebate Potential by State (March 2026, 13kWh Battery)
| State | Federal CHBP | State Program | Typical Total Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | ~$5,000 | Up to $1,500 (VPP) | $5,000–$6,500 |
| WA | ~$5,000 | Up to $1,300 (VPP) | $5,000–$6,300 |
| ACT | ~$5,000 | 0% loan up to $15,000 | $5,000 + 0% finance |
| VIC | ~$5,000 | None (program closed) | ~$5,000 |
| SA | ~$5,000 | None (program closed) | ~$5,000 |
| QLD | ~$5,000 | None (program closed) | ~$5,000 |
| TAS | ~$5,000 | None | ~$5,000 |
For state-by-state rebate details and how to apply, visit the home battery rebates hub. The state-specific pages cover exactly what’s available where you live: QLD home battery rebates, NSW home battery rebates, and VIC home battery rebates. To compare all 22 batteries and their post-rebate pricing, use the home battery comparison page. If you’re also considering an EV, the FBT exemption can save you thousands more on top of any battery rebates — the two incentives are entirely separate and can be claimed by the same household. Once you know what rebates apply, see our full battery rankings for the top 10 models ranked by value, performance, and warranty. Still weighing up the decision? Read our guide on whether a home battery is worth it in 2026 for a full payback analysis by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What battery rebates are available in Australia in 2026?
- In 2026, the main battery rebate is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), which provides approximately $372 per usable kWh off the installed cost — typically $3,700 to $6,000 on a standard 10–16kWh system. On top of this, WA offers up to $1,300 (requires VPP connection), NSW offers up to $1,500 for VPP participants, and the ACT provides interest-free loans up to $15,000 at 3% fixed. Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia have closed their household battery rebate programs.
- How much is the federal battery rebate in 2026?
- The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, active from 1 July 2025, provides a point-of-sale discount of approximately $372 per usable kWh, applied to the first 50 kWh per household. For a 10kWh battery, that's approximately $3,720. For a 13.5kWh Tesla Powerwall 3, it's approximately $5,022. The discount is applied by your installer — you don't claim it separately.
- Can you stack the federal battery rebate with state rebates?
- Yes, in states where active state rebates exist. NSW's Peak Demand Reduction Scheme can stack with the federal CHBP for eligible VPP participants — potential combined rebate of $6,000 to $8,000. WA's Synergy rebate also stacks with federal STCs. ACT's interest-free loan can be used alongside the federal rebate. Victoria, SA, and QLD programs have closed.
- Is there a solar battery rebate in Victoria in 2026?
- Victoria's Solar Homes battery rebate program closed in late 2024. Victorian residents can still access the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which provides $372/kWh off the installed price. No state-specific battery rebate is currently active in Victoria as of March 2026.
- What is the solar battery rebate in Western Australia?
- Synergy's Home Battery Scheme in WA offers up to $1,300 for eligible residential customers who install a battery connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The rebate requires VPP participation through a Synergy-approved provider. On top of this, the federal CHBP provides an additional $372/kWh discount. A 10kWh install in WA can attract $5,000 or more in combined rebates.
Enjoyed this article?
Get updates like this straight to your inbox - new models, price drops, and rebate changes.
Written by
Gridly EditorialGridly Editorial Team
Gridly's editorial team researches and produces independent comparison content for Australian homeowners. All content is built from primary sources — manufacturer spec sheets, government program documentation, and installer pricing surveys — and reviewed for factual accuracy before publication.