Home Battery Rebate — Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Through the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, households, businesses and community organisations can receive a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing an eligible small-scale battery system (5 kWh to 100 kWh). The discount applies to batteries connected to new or existing solar systems. As an accredited installer, SolarAide applies the discount for you, so there’s no separate application to lodge.

Program last updated 9 June 2026. Changes to the program commenced on 1 May 2026.

What the battery discount is

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program helps more Australians install home batteries by cutting the upfront cost by around 30%. The discount is:

available for batteries connected to new or existing solar PV systems
funded by the government, so no extra costs are passed on to consumers
based on the battery’s usable capacity and the number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) it is eligible for under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
reviewed at least annually and set to decrease over time until 2030, in line with falling battery prices.

Eligibility is subject to the requirements in the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001. The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) administers the program and the government funds the discount.

Why it benefits everyone

The program helps reduce electricity bills by storing cheap, clean solar power for when you need it. It also lowers costs for everyone not just those who install a battery by reducing peak demand and creating a more stable electricity grid. And it ensures retailers and installers meet their responsibilities so batteries are installed legally, safely and for permanent use.

How to access the battery discount

You do not need to apply to the government or the Clean Energy Regulator for the discount. There are two ways to receive it.

Through an accredited installer or retailer (the simple way)

Contact an accredited installer or solar battery retailer like SolarAide about installing a battery system. Your installer will either offer an upfront reduction on the cost of the battery or a rebate after installation. If you ever have concerns about receiving your discount, you can contact the Clean Energy Regulator. This is the easiest route, and it’s how SolarAide handles it for you.

Claiming directly through the REC Registry

Alternatively, you can forego the discount offered by installers and claim it yourself by creating and trading STCs through the REC Registry. If you choose this route, do not assign the right to create STCs to your installer. STCs can be traded via the Clearing House or on the open market. You can check how many STCs you’re entitled to using the REC Registry small generation unit STC calculator.

Steps to investing in a battery

Research which battery system best suits your needs.
Seek quotes from more than one retailer or installer.
Check the Clean Energy Regulator’s website for more information on installing a battery.
Familiarise yourself with the program eligibility and your STC entitlement.
Read the Solar Consumer Guide for free, independent advice.
Use the SUNSPOT calculator to estimate rooftop solar and battery costs.

Make sure the battery is appropriately sized

Talk to your installer about your daily electricity use, the output of your solar system and the capacity of your inverter to work out the right battery size. Bigger is not always better, a battery that’s too large for your solar or inverter can actually limit the benefits to your home and the grid.

Make sure your installer provides key information

Before you commit, you should receive information on:

the value of the discount and when you’ll receive it
the system warranty
the anticipated payback period.

Choose a reputable retailer and installer

Check with family, friends or neighbours for recommendations.
Ensure the battery is accredited by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
Ensure the installer is accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
Ensure the installer is on site for the battery’s set-up, installation and commissioning.

The full eligibility criteria are set out in the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001.

1 May 2026: changes to the program

On 13 December 2025, the Australian Government announced it would expand the Cheaper Home Batteries Program from an original estimate of $2.3 billion to an estimated $7.2 billion over four years. This is expected to see more than 2 million Australians install a battery by 2030, delivering around 40 gigawatt hours of additional storage capacity.

On 5 February 2026, amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 were finalised, and two changes came into effect on 1 May 2026. The changes help ensure the discount stays at around 30% across a range of battery sizes, aligns with falling battery costs over time, and can be sustained across the life of the program.

The STC Factor has been adjusted

The discount is provided through the creation and trading of STCs. The STC Factor which determines how many STCs a system can create per kWh of usable capacity — has been adjusted to decline more frequently (every 6 months) and at a higher rate. The discount you’re entitled to is determined by the STC Factor on the date your battery is installed.

STC Factor to 2030:

2026, January–April: 8.4
2026, May–December: 6.8
2027, January–June: 5.7
2027, July–December: 5.2
2028, January–June: 4.6
2028, July–December: 4.1
2029, January–June: 3.6
2029, July–December: 3.1
2030, January–June: 2.6
2030, July–December: 2.1

Support now adjusts by system size

The program still supports battery installations up to 100 kWh, but the level of support changed on 1 May 2026 to align with declining battery costs, keeping the discount at around 30% across capacity levels. The STC Factor now tapers according to how much capacity is installed:

From 0 kWh up to 14 kWh (inclusive): STC Factor applied at 100%.
Every kWh greater than 14 and up to 28 kWh (inclusive): STC Factor applied at 60%.
Every kWh greater than 28 and up to 50 kWh (inclusive): STC Factor applied at 15%.

To see how many STCs will be created for each 1 kWh of storage, use the REC Registry small generation unit STC calculator.

How the program fits with the SRES

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has been central to Australia’s widespread uptake of rooftop solar. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is an expansion of the SRES to include batteries up to 100 kWh.

The SRES is a legislated, tried-and-tested scheme with an established regulatory framework covering consumer protection and electrical safety. This includes product accreditation through the Clean Energy Council, installer training and accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia, tools to reduce regulatory burden and collect mandatory information, and an inspections program. These measures now also apply to batteries under the expanded scheme.

How the program works with other schemes

This is a national scheme with broad eligibility, designed to complement other Commonwealth, state and territory incentives. Support under local programs depends on the requirements set by each state and territory government, which means you could be eligible under multiple schemes at once.

Seek advice from your state or territory government to understand their requirements and whether they’re compatible with this program. Households may also access discounted finance for home upgrades through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF). SolarAide can help you understand how the federal discount stacks with Victorian incentives.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the home battery rebate?

Around 30% off the upfront cost of an eligible battery system between 5 kWh and 100 kWh. The exact amount depends on your battery’s usable capacity and the STC Factor on the date it’s installed, and it decreases over time to 2030.

Do I need to apply for the discount?

No. You don’t need to apply to the government or the Clean Energy Regulator. Your accredited installer applies the discount for you — either as an upfront reduction or a rebate after installation.

Does the discount work with the Victorian rebate?

Potentially yes. The federal program is designed to complement state incentives, so you may be eligible under multiple schemes. Requirements vary, so it’s worth confirming. SolarAide can walk you through what applies to your home.

What size battery should I get?

The right size depends on your daily electricity use, your solar output and your inverter capacity. Bigger isn’t always better, an oversized battery can limit the benefits. SolarAide sizes the system to your actual usage.

How do I know my battery and installer qualify?

The battery must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council and the installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. SolarAide meets these accreditation requirements and installs only CEC-accredited battery products.

Get started with your battery rebate

SolarAide is an accredited installer serving Melbourne and Victoria. We install Clean Energy Council–accredited batteries, size the system to your home, and apply the Cheaper Home Batteries discount for you, no separate application required. Get a free quote and we’ll confirm the discount you’re entitled to. Call 1300 158 441 or request a free assessment online.