Solar Feed-in Tariffs Australia 2025: Rates by State
For every kilowatt-hour your solar panels generate that you don't use yourself, your retailer pays you a feed-in tariff. Rates range from 3¢ to 20¢/kWh depending on your state and retailer — and choosing the right retailer can add $300–$700 per year to your solar savings.
Muhammad founded KilowattKit after spending hours trying to decode confusing electricity bills — and realising there were no simple, jargon-free tools to help ordinary homeowners understand their energy costs. He researches electricity rates, EV charging, solar payback, and heat pump economics across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Feed-in Tariff Rates by State (2025)
| State | Minimum FiT | Market range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Victoria | 4.9¢/kWh (guaranteed) | 5–15¢/kWh | Minimum mandated by Essential Services Commission. Time-varying FiTs also available. |
| 🌊 New South Wales | No minimum | 5–15¢/kWh | No mandated minimum. Rates set by retailers — compare carefully. |
| ☀️ Queensland | No minimum | 5–12¢/kWh | Ergon Energy and Energex customers. Legacy Premium FiT (44¢) closed to new applicants. |
| 🦘 South Australia | No minimum | 5–15¢/kWh | SA has very high solar penetration. Time-of-use FiTs increasingly common. Battery exports lucrative. |
| 🦢 Western Australia | 2.5¢ off-peak (DEBS) | 2.5–10¢/kWh | DEBS: 10¢ peak (3–9pm business days), 2.5¢ all other times. Synergy only. |
| 🌿 Tasmania | ~9¢/kWh (Aurora) | ~9¢/kWh | Aurora Energy is the main retailer. Standard FiT is relatively stable. Lower solar yield than mainland. |
| 🏛️ ACT | No minimum | 5–15¢/kWh | ACT had a strong legacy feed-in tariff scheme (closed). New systems use retailer market rates. |
FiT rates as of May 2026 — indicative ranges. Actual rates vary by retailer and change frequently. Always compare using Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) or Victorian Energy Compare.
🏆 Victoria's guaranteed minimum FiT
Victoria is the only state with a government-mandated minimum feed-in tariff, set annually by the Essential Services Commission (ESC). For 2025–26, the minimum is 4.9¢/kWh — no Victorian retailer can pay you less than this. Many pay more, and time-varying FiTs from competitive retailers can reach 15¢/kWh or more during evening peak hours.
Check current rates at compare.energy.vic.gov.au.
⚡ WA's Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)
Western Australia has a unique two-rate FiT via Synergy's DEBS scheme. The time-based structure makes battery storage highly profitable:
How to Maximise Your Feed-in Tariff Income
FiT rates change regularly. Use Energy Made Easy to compare your whole bill — not just the FiT. A retailer offering 8¢ FiT with a 35¢ usage rate may cost more overall than one offering 6¢ FiT with a 28¢ usage rate.
Every kWh you use directly from solar avoids paying the import rate (25–35¢/kWh). Run washing machines, dishwashers, and pool pumps during peak solar hours (10am–3pm) rather than in the evening.
With FiT rates far below import rates, storing your solar for evening use is typically worth $600–$1,200/year for a 10kWh battery. Use our battery ROI calculator to model your specific situation.
Retailers like Amber Electric pass through wholesale spot prices for exports, which can reach 20–30¢/kWh or more during high-demand periods. This suits homes with batteries that can time their export strategically.
Stack your FiT income with Victoria's $1,400 solar rebate, interest-free solar loan, and up to $8,800 in interest-free battery loans through the Solar Homes Program.