Solar Rebates Australia 2026
Australia has among the world's best solar economics — a federal STC rebate that cuts upfront solar costs by $2,000–$5,000, the new federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program that takes ~30% off a home battery, state-level rebates, and feed-in tariffs for every kilowatt-hour you export. Here's how every scheme works in 2026.
Muhammad founded KilowattKit after spending hours trying to decode confusing electricity bills and realising there were no clear, jargon-free tools for ordinary homeowners. He researches energy rates, solar payback, EV charging, and heat pump economics across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia — sourcing every figure directly from official government and regulatory data.
Australian Solar Incentives Explained
Federal STC Rebate
All statesThe Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme is Australia's primary federal solar incentive. When you install solar, your system creates a number of STCs based on its size, your location, and how many years remain until the scheme ends in 2030. Your installer claims these certificates on your behalf and passes the value on as an upfront discount.
Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program
New — all statesSince 1 July 2025 the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has taken roughly 30% off the upfront cost of an eligible home battery (5–100 kWh usable, discount paid on up to 50 kWh). Like the STC rebate it runs through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, so your installer applies the discount at the point of sale — no separate application. This has replaced most state battery loan schemes as the main battery incentive nationwide.
State Solar Programs
Varies by stateSeveral states run their own rebate and loan programs on top of the federal schemes. Victoria's Solar Homes Program is the most generous, offering a $1,400 solar rebate plus an interest-free solar loan. (Victoria's older $8,800 interest-free battery loan has closed — home batteries are now covered by the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program above, and South Australia's Home Battery Scheme closed to new applications back in 2022.) Other states have smaller programs or focus on low-income households.
Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)
All statesFor every kilowatt-hour of solar electricity you export to the grid, your retailer pays you a feed-in tariff. Rates vary significantly by state and retailer — from around 3¢/kWh minimum in Victoria up to 20¢+ with time-varying tariffs from some retailers. Shopping around for the best FiT can add hundreds of dollars a year to your solar savings.
In-Depth Guides
STC Rebate
How the federal scheme works, zone ratings, deeming period, and how to maximise your discount.
Read guide →Feed-in Tariffs
State-by-state FiT rates and how to find the best export deal from your retailer.
Read guide →VIC Solar Homes
Victoria's $1,400 solar rebate, interest-free solar loan, and how the federal battery rebate applies in VIC.
Read guide →Australian Solar Incentives Summary
| Incentive | State | Value | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal STC rebate | All states | $2,000–$5,000 (6.6kW) | All homeowners/renters |
| VIC solar rebate | Victoria | Up to $1,400 | Income < $150,000 |
| Cheaper Home Batteries (federal) | All states | ~30% off battery (5–100 kWh) | Homes/small business; no income test |
| WA DEBS | Western Australia | 10¢/kWh peak export | Synergy customers |
| Feed-in tariffs | All states | 4.9¢–20¢/kWh | All grid-connected solar owners |
Verify before you install
Solar incentive programs are regularly updated — state rebate rounds open and close, STC values fluctuate with the spot market, and feed-in tariff rates change quarterly. Always confirm current figures with your installer, your state energy authority, and the Clean Energy Regulator (cer.gov.au) before making financial decisions. Scheme statuses on this page verified August 2026 (federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program from 1 Jul 2025; VIC $8,800 battery loan and SA Home Battery Scheme closed).