Battery Rebates in Australia: Current Offers by State and Territory
Last Updated: 2nd Dec 2024 By Finn Peacock, Chartered Electrical Engineer, Fact Checked By Ronald Brakels
This page covers current rebates, grants, and interest-free loans available across Australian states and territories to make battery storage systems more affordable and improve payback times.
Federal Battery Rebates
No federal battery rebate currently exists, but certain states and territories offer rebates and loans.
State/Territory Battery Rebates and Loans
At the moment, the only states or territories offering any rebates, grants, or loans are the NT, NSW, VIC and the ACT.
Here’s how they compare:
| State / Territory | Program Name | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory | Home and Business Battery Scheme | Grant | Up to $12,000 |
| New South Wales | NSW Solar Battery “Rebate” | Rebate | Up to ~$4,470 (Varies by PRCs) |
| Victoria | Victorian Solar Battery Loan Scheme | Zero-interest Loan | Up to $8,800 |
| ACT | Sustainable Household Scheme | Zero-interest Loan | Up to $15,000 |
Northern Territory
Program: Home and Business Battery Scheme
Grant Value: $400 per kWh of usable battery capacity, up to $12,000.
Eligibility: Open to NT homeowners, registered businesses, and not-for-profits. Only one application per property and per homeowner. The property can be owner-occupied or an investment.
Key Conditions: Only battery systems listed as VPP-capable are eligible. Jacana Energy customers on the premium feed-in tariff will switch to the standard tariff upon receiving the grant.
Application Process:
- Check eligibility via terms and conditions.
- Get quotes from certified installers.
- Apply online through GrantsNT.
Eligible works must start after approval and be completed within six months. The NT Government will pay voucher amounts directly to installers.
Contact: For general queries, call 1800 193 111 or email [email protected].
Example
Payback Period: With a $4,096 grant (10.24 kWh x $400) reducing the cost of a 10.24 kWh BYD Battery Box HVS from around $11,000 to $6,900, the fastest possible payback period drops from 17.8 years to 11.1 years. This is still 1.1 years beyond its 10-year warranty.
Savings Breakdown: The NT time-of-use (ToU) tariff charges higher rates during the day, making batteries slightly less beneficial than in other states. However, many solar owners with batteries are likely to use this tariff. Assuming the battery discharges minimally during the day, savings come from avoiding grid electricity costs (27c per kWh) minus the cost of charging the battery with solar (10.37c per kWh, accounting for 90% roundtrip efficiency). This results in a net saving of 16.63c per kWh.
Annual Savings: Based on these figures, the maximum possible annual savings is about $620, assuming no battery degradation, the battery is fully charged with solar daily, and its full usable capacity is discharged every day.
Image Credit: DJM Electrical
New South Wales
Program: NSW Solar Battery “Rebate” under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)
Rebate Value: Varies based on Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) and battery capacity. Additional certificates issued for VPP connection. For example, a 10 kWh battery could get a rebate between $1,450 and $1,950
Eligibility: PRC amount depends on factors like battery size, DNSP, and VPP connection.
Process: Use the NSW Battery Rebate Calculator for estimates and work with installers registered as Accredited Certificate Suppliers (ACPs).
Important Notes: Only new batteries (not existing) qualify for PRCs, but existing batteries may get PRCs through VPPs.
Contact: Visit the NSW Government website or consult with SolarQuotes for details on VPP compatibility.
Example
Payback Period: With a rebate of 1,077 PRCs valued at $2.45 each (assuming 80% of the value is passed on), a Tesla Powerwall 2 (13.5 kWh) benefits from a rebate of approximately $2,110. This reduces the pre-installation cost from $12,100 to around $10,000. If you join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), an additional $400 rebate could further reduce the cost to $9,600. With these savings, the payback period drops from 6 years to 4.9 years, or 4.7 years with VPP participation.
Savings Breakdown: Time-of-use (ToU) tariffs in NSW charge significantly higher rates during evening peak periods, sometimes exceeding 50 cents per kWh. Assuming a 50c peak tariff, discharging 1 kWh of stored energy saves 50c minus the charging cost. With an 8c solar feed-in tariff and 90% roundtrip efficiency, charging the battery costs about 8.9c/kWh. This makes battery savings during the peak period 41.1c/kWh (50c – 8.9c = 41.1c).
Annual Savings: Assuming the Powerwall 2 is fully charged with solar every day and discharges its full capacity (13.5 kWh) each evening at peak rates, annual savings can reach $2,025. This estimate assumes no capacity loss, full daily utilisation, and optimal conditions.
Image Credit: Natural Solar.
Victoria
Program: Victorian Solar Battery Loan Scheme
Loan Value: Zero-interest loan up to $8,800.
Eligibility: Open to owner-occupiers with taxable household income below $210,000. Property value must be under $3 million and cannot already have energy storage.
Requirements: Solar PV system of 5kW+ capacity installed or to be installed. Loan repayments made over 4 years.
Application Steps:
- Get a quote from an authorised retailer.
- Complete eligibility check and financial assessments.
- Install system within 120 days of loan approval.
Contact: For more information, visit the Solar Victoria portal.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Program: Sustainable Household Scheme
Loan Value: Zero-interest loan from $2,000 to $15,000, repayable over up to 10 years.
Eligibility: Open to ACT residents for energy-efficient upgrades like battery storage, solar, and EV charging infrastructure.
Requirements: Loan capped at $15,000 for specific products. You may be required to attend an energy efficiency workshop.
Additional Rebates: Concession card holders may qualify for up to $5,000 in rebates through the Home Energy Support Program.
Process: Approved applicants receive a QR code for installation validation.
Contact: Call 13 22 81 or email [email protected].