What is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?

A federal rebate that knocks roughly a quarter off the installed cost of a home battery. It’s delivered as STCs (the same certificate system as solar), applied as an upfront discount by your installer at the quote. Launched 1 July 2025.

How are STCs calculated for solar panels?

STC count = system size in kW × your postcode zone rating × deeming period (5 years in 2026, dropping 1 year annually to scheme end in 2030). Each STC trades on the open market — typically $36–$39. Your installer claims and applies them as a discount.

How much is the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate in dollars?

It depends on battery size and timing. From 1 May 2026, the STC factor is 6.8 per usable kWh (down from 8.4 in Jan–Apr 2026). A 10 kWh battery installed today generates ~68 STCs × ~$37 = roughly $2,500 in rebate. Above 14 kWh, the rate tapers.

Does the federal battery rebate stack with state rebates?

Yes, where state programs are still open. NSW (VPP top-up), WA (Residential Battery Scheme), NT (HBBS), and ACT (loan) all explicitly stack with the federal rebate. VIC, QLD, SA, and TAS no longer run state battery rebates — the federal program is the full stack.

When does the federal rebate get smaller?

STCs phase down annually (deeming period shrinks by 1 year each 1 January). The Cheaper Home Batteries STC factor steps down every six months, in January and July — next on 1 January 2027. The earlier you install, the larger the rebate.

Can I claim the battery rebate twice if I install two batteries?

No. The rebate is one per address, permanently. If a previous owner of the property claimed it, the new owner cannot.

Do I have to wait for a payment, or is the rebate upfront?

For STCs (both solar and battery), the rebate is applied as an upfront discount at the quote stage. You don’t pay full price and then claim back — your installer takes care of the certificate paperwork.

Federal rebates 2026

Federal solar and battery rebates, with sources.

Two federal rebates apply in every state in 2026 — Small-scale Technology Certificates on solar panels, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program on batteries. Both are delivered as an upfront discount by your installer, not a back-end payment.

The two federal programs

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

Administered by Clean Energy Regulator · Status: open — Open, phasing down annually until scheme end in 2030

An upfront discount on your solar panel system, applied by the installer at point of sale.

What it is worth: Calculated as: system size (kW) × your postcode zone rating × deeming period (5 years in 2026). Each STC trades on the open market — typically around $36–$39. A 6.6 kW system in Sydney (Zone 3) currently generates around 44–46 STCs.

Eligibility

System size ≤ 100 kW
CEC-accredited installer and CEC-approved panels and inverter
New install (not a replacement of an existing system claimed within the same window)

Stacks with

Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (battery STCs are a separate stream)
Every active state rebate stacks with STCs

The catch most people miss: STC value drops every 1 January as the deeming period shrinks by one year. A system installed in December 2026 is worth meaningfully more in STCs than the same system installed in January 2027.

Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (delivered as STCs) · Status: open — Open since 1 July 2025

Roughly a quarter off the installed cost of a home battery, applied upfront like the solar STC.

What it is worth: Calculated as: usable battery kWh × STC factor × certificate spot price. From 1 May 2026 the STC factor is 6.8 per usable kWh (down from 8.4 in Jan–Apr 2026). Tapered above 14 kWh — 60% rate from 14–28 kWh, 15% rate from 28–50 kWh, nothing above 50 kWh.

Eligibility

Battery installed on a new or existing solar PV system
Usable capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh nominal
One battery rebate per address — only the first battery at any site qualifies
System commissioned on or after 1 July 2025

Stacks with

Federal STCs on the solar panels
NSW VPP incentive
WA Residential Battery Scheme
NT Home and Business Battery Scheme
ACT Sustainable Household Scheme loan

The catch most people miss: The STC factor steps down on 1 May each year. An identically-priced battery installed 30 April 2026 is worth roughly $300–$400 more in rebate than the same battery installed 1 May 2026 (10 kWh example). Homeowners who delay past April lose meaningful money.

What stacks on top, state by state

New South Wales — NSW VPP Incentive (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme)
Victoria — Solar Homes Program — Solar Panel Rebate
Queensland — No active state program — federal only
South Australia — No active state program — federal only
Western Australia — WA Residential Battery Scheme
Tasmania — No active state program — federal only
Northern Territory — Home and Business Battery Scheme (HBBS)
Australian Capital Territory — Sustainable Household Scheme

Common questions

What is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?: A federal rebate that knocks roughly a quarter off the installed cost of a home battery. It’s delivered as STCs (the same certificate system as solar), applied as an upfront discount by your installer at the quote. Launched 1 July 2025.
How are STCs calculated for solar panels?: STC count = system size in kW × your postcode zone rating × deeming period (5 years in 2026, dropping 1 year annually to scheme end in 2030). Each STC trades on the open market — typically $36–$39. Your installer claims and applies them as a discount.
How much is the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate in dollars?: It depends on battery size and timing. From 1 May 2026, the STC factor is 6.8 per usable kWh (down from 8.4 in Jan–Apr 2026). A 10 kWh battery installed today generates ~68 STCs × ~$37 = roughly $2,500 in rebate. Above 14 kWh, the rate tapers.
Does the federal battery rebate stack with state rebates?: Yes, where state programs are still open. NSW (VPP top-up), WA (Residential Battery Scheme), NT (HBBS), and ACT (loan) all explicitly stack with the federal rebate. VIC, QLD, SA, and TAS no longer run state battery rebates — the federal program is the full stack.
When does the federal rebate get smaller?: STCs phase down annually (deeming period shrinks by 1 year each 1 January). The Cheaper Home Batteries STC factor steps down every six months, in January and July — next on 1 January 2027. The earlier you install, the larger the rebate.
Can I claim the battery rebate twice if I install two batteries?: No. The rebate is one per address, permanently. If a previous owner of the property claimed it, the new owner cannot.
Do I have to wait for a payment, or is the rebate upfront?: For STCs (both solar and battery), the rebate is applied as an upfront discount at the quote stage. You don’t pay full price and then claim back — your installer takes care of the certificate paperwork.

Postcode in, up to 3 vetted installers out. Free for homeowners, no obligation. How STCs work · The battery program explained