Published by QUOTES AND DEALS · Updated
5 October 2026
· Sources & editorial policyTHE SHORT ANSWER
Start with federal solar or battery support, then check your state’s separate rules. Confirm eligibility before installation and show each incentive separately in the quote. Loans and electricity plans, including the Solar Sharer Offer, are different from installation rebates.
POLICY CHECK · 5 OCTOBER 2026
What has changed, and what should you check?
Federal: support expands to mid-scale solar
Eligible 100 kW–1 MW solar installations from 1 October 2026 can access the expanded SRES, with a fixed five-year deeming period. Applications are expected to open in mid-to-late November 2026. This is relevant to larger projects; it does not increase the rebate on an ordinary household system. Check the CER guidance ↗
NSW: battery support for apartment buildings
Available from 1 September 2026 for eligible buildings with at least four units and outdoor batteries with 20–200 kWh usable capacity. Indicative discounts are 20–30% for a battery, or 30–40% with qualifying new or additional solar. Owners corporation approval and nomination must happen before work starts. Federal battery support may also apply, but this apartment incentive cannot be combined with the NSW VPP incentive. Apartment battery rules ↗ · VPP exclusions ↗
Victoria: more apartment buildings can apply
September 2026 changes removed the Solar for Apartments property value cap. Buildings above eight storeys or with 50–150 lots can request an exemption; approval is not automatic. Support remains up to $2,800 per apartment and $140,000 per property. Applications close on 30 June 2027 or when funding is exhausted. Check apartment eligibility ↗
Coming soon is different from available now
NSW Home Energy Saver interest-free loans are open, but its proposed discount of up to $4,000 is still listed as coming soon. Do not deduct it from your budget before eligibility and availability are confirmed. Check the live program status ↗
Planning a battery installation in 2027?
The federal battery STC factor is 6.8 for May–December 2026 and falls to 5.7 for January–June 2027. The first 14 kWh of usable capacity receives the full factor, the next 14 kWh receives 60%, and the next 22 kWh receives 15%. Ask your installer to calculate support for the installation date, not the deposit date. Federal battery schedule ↗
FEDERAL REBATES · ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Start with national support.
Two ways to reduce installation costs.
Eligibility and the actual discount still matter.
01 / ROOFTOP SOLAR
Federal solar rebate
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
Eligible solar installations can create small-scale technology certificates (STCs). These can reduce the upfront price when you assign the certificate rights to a registered agent.
- The calculation uses system size, postcode zone and installation year.
- For installations in 2026, the maximum deeming period is five years.
- There is no single flat dollar amount or percentage for every home. Certificate prices and agent fees affect the discount.
02 / HOME BATTERIES
Federal battery rebate
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
The discount is delivered through STCs. Your actual offer depends on the battery, installation date and certificate value; it is not a flat 30% off every quote.
- The system must connect to new or existing solar and meet the 5–100 kWh nominal-capacity rules. Support covers only the first 50 kWh of usable capacity.
- Since 1 May 2026, support tapers across the first 14, next 14 and next 22 kWh.
- Grid-connected batteries must be VPP capable. The federal program itself does not require you to join a VPP; some state schemes do.
Ask for the discount in writing. Your quote should show the full installed price, the STC deduction and the final amount payable. State support may be combined only when both programs allow it.
Explore the battery calculation ↓STATE & TERRITORY SUPPORT
What else applies where you live?
Check local schemes alongside federal support.
Each program has its own conditions.
ALL EIGHT STATES & TERRITORIES
Compare the local pathways.
Federal eligibility is separate. This overview includes closed and announced programs so you can distinguish them from support that is open now.
New South WalesAvailable
VPP connection incentive
Compare provider offers · Battery · VPP
Eligible batteries up to 50 kWh can qualify. The incentive is calculated on up to 28 kWh made available to the grid, and the amount varies by provider and contract.
- A VPP agreement gives an operator access to your battery. Compare reserve levels, exit terms and ongoing tariffs.
- This is a VPP incentive, separate from the federal installation discount. The expanded 50 kWh eligibility began on 1 July 2026.
Home Energy Saver loan · up to $15,000
Applications open
A zero-interest loan, repayable over up to 10 years, for eligible homeowners and landlords with combined taxable household income up to $210,000. Solar and batteries are among eligible upgrades. Finance approval and approved suppliers are required.
Program details ↗Home Energy Saver discount · up to $4,000
Coming soon — not open
The discount is announced for eligible households with income up to $80,000 or an eligible concession card. Applications are not yet open. If you want a discount and loan for the same purchase, official guidance says to wait and apply for the discount first.
Program details ↗Solar for apartment residents
Owners corporation pathway
Separate grants support eligible shared apartment solar projects. Applications close at 5 pm AEDT on 4 December 2026, or earlier if funding is allocated. Standard and Boost eligibility differ; your owners corporation should check the grant guidelines before work starts.
Program details ↗Apartment building battery incentive
Available from 1 September 2026
Eligible buildings with at least four units can receive a discount on an outdoor 20–200 kWh usable battery. Indicative discounts: 20–30% battery only; 30–40% with qualifying new or additional solar. Owners corporation approval and nomination are required before work. Federal support may also apply; the NSW VPP incentive cannot be combined with this discount.
Program details ↗VictoriaAvailable
Solar Homes PV rebate
Up to $1,400 · Solar · Rebate + optional loan
Eligible households can receive a PV rebate and an optional matching interest-free loan up to $1,400. The loan must be repaid.
- Main criteria include combined owner taxable income below $150,000 and property value below $3 million. Address and installation history also matter.
- Use an authorised retailer and obtain eligibility approval before installation. Do not assume an old battery loan offer is still available.
Solar for Apartments · up to $2,800 per apartment
Eligibility expanded in September 2026
Up to $140,000 per property for eligible shared-rooftop projects. The property value cap has been removed. Buildings above eight storeys or with 50–150 lots can request an exemption; approval is not automatic. Applications close 30 June 2027 or when funding is exhausted.
Program details ↗Solar Homes quality and cyber-security requirements
2026–27 program requirements
Participating providers must meet the current Notice to Market, including active supervision of electrical apprentices and applicable security requirements for connected equipment. Ask about password protection, vulnerability reporting and software support before choosing products. This is a quality requirement, not an extra rebate.
Program details ↗QueenslandTargeted support
Supercharged Solar for Renters
Up to $3,500 · Solar · Rental properties
A rebate for eligible landlords installing solar at rental properties. It is not a general owner-occupier solar rebate.
- Check tenancy, rent, tenant-consent and property rules with the program.
- Conditional approval is required before installation; use an eligible retailer and installer.
Former Battery Booster rebate
Closed
The previous Battery Booster program is closed. It is not an extra rebate for new applicants; check the federal battery program separately.
Program details ↗Western AustraliaAvailable
Residential Battery Scheme
Up to $1,300 / $3,800 · Battery · VPP required
Synergy customers may receive up to $1,300; Horizon Power customers up to $3,800. A separately assessed no-interest loan is also available.
- The state rebate is capped at 10 kWh of usable capacity. Participation in a retailer VPP is required.
- State and federal support may be combined if both schemes’ conditions are met. Calculate each separately.
SWIS solar and battery connection requirements
New and upgraded systems from 1 May 2026
New or upgraded systems up to 30 kVA in the South West Interconnected System must meet updated connection requirements. Compatible equipment supports flexible exports where network capacity allows and emergency remote management. Before adding a battery to existing solar, ask the installer to check inverter compatibility and the approved export limit.
Program details ↗South AustraliaState scheme closed
Former Home Battery Scheme
Closed to new applications · Historical state scheme
The old South Australian Home Battery Scheme is closed. It should not appear as an available extra rebate in a new quote.
- Check the federal battery program for current installation support.
- Retailer VPP offers and feed-in tariffs are different from government installation rebates.
TasmaniaState scheme closed
Former Energy Saver Loan Scheme
Closed since September 2025 · Historical state loan
New applications closed on 1 September 2025. The former $10,000 interest-free loan should not be advertised as open.
- Federal solar and battery support may still apply to eligible systems.
- Check the official page for any replacement program before committing to a purchase.
Australian Capital TerritoryAvailable
Sustainable Household Scheme
Loans up to $20,000 · Battery · 3% standard interest
For new applicants from 1 July 2026, eligible upgrades including batteries can be financed at 3%, over up to 10 years. This is a loan, not a cash rebate.
- Concession card holders have a separate support pathway: rooftop solar rebate up to $2,500, subject to eligibility.
- General solar PV is not on the standard current loan product list. Check concession options and lending eligibility.
Northern TerritoryFunding exhausted
Home and Business Battery Scheme
New grants closed · Funding cap reached
The scheme has reached its funding allocation. Historical information about grants up to $12,000 is not confirmation of current availability.
- Applications without formal approval are not guaranteed funding.
- Do not install on the assumption that a state grant will be approved. Check federal support separately.
Ask for the full installed price, each rebate as a separate line, any fees, the expected installation date and who pays if eligibility changes. A loan must be repaid. Feed-in tariffs and bill credits are separate from installation subsidies.
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