Battery rebates
Battery rebate eligibility checklist for Australian homes
A current checklist for checking federal battery rebate eligibility before accepting a solar battery quote in Australia.
Short answer
Before relying on a battery discount, check that the battery is connected to solar, the usable capacity fits the program rules, the equipment is approved, the inverter path works, and the installer has the right current accreditation.
Start a quote1. The battery must be connected to solar
A battery that only stores electricity from the grid is not the same as a solar battery for program purposes. The battery needs to connect to new or existing rooftop solar.
If the home already has solar, the quote should explain how the battery connects to that system and whether any inverter changes are needed.
2. Capacity matters
Eligible batteries have minimum and maximum capacity rules, and the discount is paid only on eligible capacity. Do not compare quotes only by headline battery size.
Ask for usable capacity, nominal capacity and the capacity used to calculate certificates. Those numbers are not always the same.
3. Products must be approved
The battery and relevant inverter equipment need to meet the approved product requirements that apply at installation time.
If a quote says rebate included but does not name the exact battery and inverter model, it is not ready for a decision.
4. The installer pathway must be current
Battery installations need trained, licensed and appropriately accredited professionals. For SRES eligibility, the accreditation pathway is now Solar Accreditation Australia, not old CEC installer language.
Ask who is doing the work, what accreditation applies and who supervises the installation on site.
5. State programs can add extra rules
State incentives, loans and VPP programs can have their own product, installer, retailer, location and participation rules.
Check the federal rules first, then the state or territory rules for the property before treating the discount as guaranteed.
Sources
Primary references used for this guide.
Rebate settings and certificate values change. Use these sources for live program rules before accepting a quote.
FAQ
Does a battery need solar to get the federal discount?
Yes. Battery systems installed without solar PV are not eligible for the federal program.
Who checks battery rebate eligibility?
The quote provider or registered agent usually handles the certificate process, but the customer should still ask for the eligibility basis in writing.
Can state battery incentives stack with the federal discount?
Sometimes. Stacking depends on the state program, product, installer, VPP and timing rules.
Related guides
Keep reading.
Battery rebates
How the Cheaper Home Batteries Program works in 2026
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is the federal battery discount. It takes roughly 30% off the upfront cost of an eligible home battery. It launched in July 2025, and the value stepped down on 1 May 2026 as battery prices fell.
Battery rebates
Battery rebate quote red flags to check before signing
The rebate should be visible, explainable and tied to eligible equipment. Be careful with quotes that hide the certificate value, use outdated accreditation language, overpromise VPP returns or treat backup power as automatic.
Battery economics
Is a home battery worth it yet?
Home batteries are closer to worth it than they have ever been: the federal rebate takes about 30% off, hardware prices keep falling, grid prices keep rising, and a Virtual Power Plant can add income. But a battery still is not automatically worth it for every home.