Since 2025, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has discounted eligible home batteries by roughly 30% at the point of sale. It's the single biggest reason a solar battery is more affordable in 2026 than ever before.
How the federal battery rebate works
- It's a point-of-sale discount. Delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme as certificates your installer trades, so you just see a lower invoice.
- It scales with capacity. The bigger the usable kWh of your battery, the larger the discount, up to program limits.
- No claiming back. Your accredited installer handles the paperwork and applies it before you pay.
- It steps down on a schedule. The rate has already fallen from 9.3 certificates per usable kWh at launch to 6.8 since 1 May 2026, and the next cut is set for 1 January 2027. See when the battery rebate ends for the full schedule.
Who's eligible?
Most Australian households are eligible when they install an approved battery with an accredited installer. The battery must be on the approved product list and meet the program's capacity rules, and it's generally one rebate per property. Pairing it with solar isn't always mandatory but is strongly recommended. See are solar batteries worth it?
Stack it with your state's incentive
The federal discount is just the base layer. Most states and territories add their own program on top: VPP top-ups, interest-free loans or direct rebates:
- NSW: up to ~$1,500 (VPP). New South Wales rebates →
- VIC: interest-free loan. Victoria rebates →
- QLD: booster + VPP. Queensland rebates →
- SA: up to $2,050. South Australia rebates →
- WA: up to $3,800. Western Australia rebates →
- ACT: 0% loans. Australian Capital Territory rebates →
- TAS: interest-free loans. Tasmania rebates →
- NT: Home & Business Battery Scheme. Northern Territory rebates →
Why locking in sooner saves more
Because the per-kWh value steps down on a schedule, the same battery costs more after rebate the longer you wait. 2026 has already seen two cuts, January's scheduled step-down and a surprise mid-year reduction on 1 May, worth roughly $600 on a typical 10kWh battery. We keep the full timetable, in dollars, in when does the battery rebate end? If a battery already makes sense for your home, the maths only gets less generous from here. Check your current entitlement with a free rebate check.