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QUOTES AND DEALS

REBATES, WITHOUT THE GUESSWORK

Know what support is really available.

Federal rebates, state incentives and the Solar Sharer Offer. Find the support that fits your home, and check the details before you decide.

Published by QUOTES AND DEALS · Updated

14 September 2026

· Sources & editorial policy

THE 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.

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)

STC-based discountCalculated for your system and location

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.
CER solar STC calculation rules ↗

02 / HOME BATTERIES

Federal battery rebate

Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Around 30% upfrontProgram target across a range of eligible batteries

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.
Federal battery program ↗ Check battery eligibility ↗

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.

New South Wales

Available

VPP connection incentive

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.
NSW Government source ↗

Other NSW pathways worth checking

Applications open

Home Energy Saver loan · up to $15,000

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.

Check the government program ↗

Coming soon — not open

Home Energy Saver discount · up to $4,000

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.

Check the government program ↗

Owners corporation pathway

Solar for apartment residents

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.

Check the government program ↗

Also check your electricity plan. Eligible households in New South Wales can opt in to the Solar Sharer Offer for a daily free-power window. A smart meter and other conditions apply.

See the times, limits and eligibility ↓

Checked 14 September 2026 · A guide to major household schemes, not an eligibility approval.

ELECTRICITY PLAN · INTRODUCED 1 JULY 2026

Solar Sharer Offer

Make use of midday solar, even without panels on your roof.

3 hoursof free electricity each dayUp to 24 kWh during the free window

This is an optional electricity tariff, separate from an installation rebate. Eligible homeowners and renters can opt in through their electricity retailer.

New South Wales

11 am – 2 pm Daily · local time

South East Queensland

11 am – 2 pm Daily · local time

South Australia

12 pm – 3 pm Daily · local time

Available in Default Market Offer areas within these regions. Queensland coverage is limited to the south east.

Check your eligibility

  • A residential account with a smart meter.
  • A retailer offering the SSO; retailers with more than 1,000 customers across DMO areas must offer it to eligible customers.
  • Your home is not supplied through an embedded network.
  • No rooftop solar or battery is required. You must choose to join.

Compare the whole bill

  • Daily supply charges and electricity outside the free window still cost money.
  • Use above the 24 kWh daily allowance is charged at the plan’s reasonable-use rate.
  • Controlled-load appliances are billed separately and do not receive the free usage period.
  • Compare your usage pattern, other rates and any feed-in tariff with your current plan.

Could your household shift its usage?

Timers, daytime EV charging and compatible battery charging may help. Check equipment settings and any VPP contract before changing schedules; savings depend on your actual use and the full tariff.

Compare energy plans ↗
Australian Government: SSO rules ↗ Energy Made Easy: what to compare ↗

Checked 14 September 2026 · Confirm availability and rates with your retailer before switching.

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.
NSW government program ↗

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 ↗
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.
VIC government program ↗

Solar for Apartments · up to $2,800 per apartment

Targeted support

Up to $140,000 per property for eligible buildings managed by an owners corporation and sharing a common rooftop. Applications remain available until 30 June 2027 or until funding is exhausted.

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.
QLD government program ↗

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.
WA government program ↗
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.
SA government program ↗
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.
TAS government program ↗
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.
ACT government program ↗Concession support ↗
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.
NT government program ↗

SEE HOW THE TIERS WORK

Battery discount
illustrator.

This example assumes an otherwise eligible first battery installation. It does not assess your eligibility or recommend a battery size.

Eligibility uses nominal capacity (5–100 kWh); this calculation uses usable capacity, which can be lower. Check both figures on the approved product specification.

Illustrative certificate value

$3,45891 whole STCs × $38 assumed value
First 14 kWh100% of factor
Next 14 kWh60% of factor
Next 22 kWh15% of factor

Before fees. $38 is an editable assumption, not a live market price. Only the first 50 kWh receives support. Actual discounts depend on eligibility, the installation date and your retailer’s offer.

Check the CER rules ↗
Before paying a deposit

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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