The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program will support Australian households and small businesses with a discount on the cost of installing small-scale battery systems.
- help households to make the most of cheap and clean solar power by storing it for when it is needed
- reduce costs for everyone - not just those who install a battery because it means less expensive gas power generation, poles and wires.
From 1 July 2025, the program will provide around a 30% discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems. The discount will be based on the battery’s usable capacity and will gradually decrease until 2030.The discount will generally be provided via solar and battery retailers and installers. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program will be delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), administered by the Clean Energy Regulator.The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 will be amended to expand eligibility of the SRES to include batteries.
Intended eligibility criteria have been developed to provide guidance on the likely settings of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Eligibility details will be confirmed in regulations and until then, requirements may change.
Eligible Battery Systems
✅ Battery Size Requirements
To be eligible for the solar battery rebate, your system must meet the following criteria:
Nominal capacity must be between 5 kWh and 100 kWh
(Nominal capacity = the total energy the battery can store when fully charged.)
The rebate applies to up to 50 kWh of usable capacity
(Usable capacity = the energy your home can actually draw from the battery.)
🏠 Designed for Homes and Small Businesses
This program is focused on residential and small-scale systems.
Electric vehicle batteries are not eligible.
🔋 What Battery Systems Qualify?
Eligible systems must meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 5139:2019 and include:
A single battery unit, or
A system made up of modular battery cells connected to operate as one
🔧 Adding Capacity to an Existing Battery?You can add more storage and still qualify if:
Your system has not previously received a rebate
The new capacity is at least 5 kWh
The total battery size stays within the 100 kWh nominal limit
Note: If your current battery has already received a rebate, you won’t be eligible for additional discounts on new capacity.
Accredited Products Only
All battery systems and inverters must be listed on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list to qualify.
On-Grid vs Off-Grid Systems
⚡ On-Grid Systems
Connected to the electricity grid (e.g., National Electricity Market)
Must be VPP-capable (Virtual Power Plant)
Must support internet connectivity and respond to signals from VPP operators
VPP participation is optional, but capability is required
🔌 Off-Grid Systems
Must be at least 1 km from the nearest grid line, or
Grid connection cost must exceed $30,000
VPP capability is not required
Rebate Value & STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates)
Your rebate is based on the number of STCs your battery system generates:
Only the first 50 kWh of usable capacity is eligible
In 2025, you’ll receive 9.3 STCs per kWh, valued at approximately $372 per kWh
The number of STCs available decreases each year until the program ends in 2030
📅 Plan Ahead
The earlier you install your battery system, the greater the rebate you could receive. Installations after 2025 will qualify for fewer STCs.
