How the rebate works
An upfront discount on the cost of battery storage, applied before you pay
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program works similarly to the long-running solar panel rebate. Eligible battery installations receive a discount based on the battery’s usable capacity, which is applied directly to your quote by your installer. You pay the reduced price from the start — there is no rebate to chase after the fact and no government forms to fill in.
The program is funded through Australia’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and is available to all eligible households regardless of income. It applies to both new solar and battery installs and to retrofits on existing solar systems that do not yet have storage.
What the rebate structure looks like from 1 May 2026
How it works
How we apply the rebate to your quote
Every battery quote we provide shows the rebate applied upfront. You see the full price, the rebate value and what you actually pay — in the same document, before you make any decision.
Townsville and the battery rebate
Why the rebate matters more in Townsville
Townsville’s solar conditions are among the best in Australia. With around 320 sunny days per year, a battery installed here will cycle more frequently and deliver more value over its lifetime than the same battery installed in a less sunny city. That makes the economics of battery storage particularly compelling in this region, and the federal rebate makes the entry point more accessible than it has ever been.
The rebate is also well timed for Townsville homeowners on the legacy 44 cent feed-in tariff, which is scheduled to end in June 2028. Adding battery storage now means capturing and using your own generation rather than exporting it at any tariff rate, and the rebate reduces the cost of making that transition.
Who is eligible
Common questions
Battery rebate questions, answered
Does the rebate apply if I already have solar?
Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies to existing solar systems adding battery storage for the first time. You do not need to be installing new solar panels to qualify.
Do I need to do anything to claim the rebate?
No. We apply the rebate directly to your quote and handle all administration as an approved installer. You do not contact any government agency, fill in any forms or claim anything after installation.
Will the rebate amount change over time?
Yes. From 1 May 2026, the rebate factor declines every six months rather than annually. This means the rebate available today is higher than it will be in six months. The figure is locked in on your installation date, so installing sooner protects the higher rate.
Does the rebate apply to larger batteries?
The rebate now uses a three-tier structure. The first 14kWh of usable capacity receives the full rebate. Capacity between 14kWh and 28kWh receives 60% of the standard rate. Capacity above 28kWh receives 15%. For most households a battery up to 14kWh captures the full rebate value.
Is the rebate the same as the solar STC rebate?
No. They are separate programs. The solar STC rebate applies to solar panels under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies specifically to battery storage. If you are installing solar and a battery together, both rebates apply simultaneously.
Does the rebate apply to off-grid battery systems?
Off-grid installations may be eligible under specific conditions. The rules differ slightly from grid-connected systems. Ask us about your property and we will confirm eligibility before we quote.
Rebate at a glance
Program name
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
How its applied
Upfront by installer
Means tested
No
Minimum battery size
5kWh usable capacity
Full rebate up to
14kWh usable capacity
Applies to retrofits
Yes
Program funded until
2030
Rebate declines
Every 6 months from May 2026
