Who Is Eligible for the Federal Battery Rebate in Australia?

Most Australian households and small businesses may be eligible for the federal battery rebate, officially called the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP). There is no income test or postcode restriction. Eligibility depends mainly on the battery, the solar PV system, the installation and whether the system meets the program's technical requirements.

To qualify, your battery needs to be new, have a nominal capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh, be installed alongside a new or existing solar PV system of no more than 100 kW, appear on the Clean Energy Council's approved battery list, and be installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer with the appropriate battery endorsement.

What Is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?

Before getting into eligibility specifics, it helps to understand what you're actually applying for. The CHBP is a federal support program delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Eligible solar battery systems can create Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which can be assigned to a registered agent in exchange for an upfront discount on the purchase price of your system.

You can also choose to buy and sell STCs yourself. For most homeowners, assigning the right to claim STCs to a registered agent can provide an upfront discount on the purchase price.

Because the discount is linked to the eligibility of the specific battery installation, "eligibility" for the CHBP really means asking whether your battery system meets the requirements under the SRES. That's what the rest of this guide covers.

For a fuller explanation of how the program works and what it is worth, see our guide to the federal solar battery rebate in 2026.

Core Eligibility Requirements

1. Battery capacity: 5–100 kWh nominal

Your battery must have a nominal capacity of at least 5 kWh and no more than 100 kWh to qualify.

The rebate itself is calculated using usable capacity, and STCs can only be claimed for the first 50 kWh of usable capacity, regardless of the total size of the battery. For example, a battery with a nominal capacity of 70 kWh and a usable capacity of 60 kWh may be eligible, but STCs can only be claimed for up to 50 kWh.

The nominal capacity is the maximum amount of energy the battery can store at full charge, while usable capacity represents the amount of energy that can actually be discharged for use.

If you're comparing battery systems, ask your installer to confirm both figures before you commit.

2. The battery must be new

The solar battery system must be new, created within 12 months of the installation date, and not previously installed or claimed.

3. It must be installed with solar

The battery must be installed with either a new or existing solar PV system of no more than 100 kW.

If you're adding a battery to solar panels you installed years ago, you don't necessarily need to replace the solar panels. The existing solar PV system must comply with state and territory electrical safety regulations.

Importantly, the CER states that an existing solar PV system does not need to be on the CEC approved product list.

4. The battery must be on the CEC approved list

The battery itself must be included on the Clean Energy Council's (CEC) approved battery list. It must also comply with Australian and New Zealand standards, including AS/NZS 5139:2019, as well as applicable state or territory electrical safety laws.

If you're comparing several battery models, ask your retailer or installer for evidence that your chosen battery is currently approved.

5. Installation must be by an accredited installer

The installation must be carried out by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer with battery endorsement and completed in accordance with SAA's technical requirements.

The Clean Energy Regulator recommends checking the installer's accreditation and licence details. The installer should also be appropriately qualified to complete or supervise the battery installation.

6. VPP capability is required for eligible grid-connected systems

For a grid-connected system, the battery must be technically capable of participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

You do not have to actually join a VPP to claim the federal battery support. The requirement is that the relevant battery system is technically capable of participating.

If the battery is connected to an existing hybrid inverter, that inverter must meet the relevant requirements. Other existing inverters on the property, such as an existing solar PV inverter that is not connected to the battery, do not necessarily need to be VPP-capable.

7. The battery must be installed in a single job

The solar battery system must be installed in a single job, including a group of batteries connected to operate as one unit.

Additional battery capacity can be added to an existing system in certain circumstances. The additional nominal capacity must be at least 5 kWh, the total nominal capacity must not exceed 100 kWh, and the relevant battery capacity must not have previously claimed STCs.

Who Can Claim the Rebate?

The program is designed to support households and small businesses that install eligible solar battery systems. The key eligibility requirements relate to the battery and installation rather than an income threshold or postcode.

For grid-connected systems, only one solar battery system is eligible for STCs per premises. This means one solar battery per national metering identifier (NMI) or commercial sub-meter. Additional solar batteries aren't eligible for STCs after the first claim.

For off-grid systems, the rules are different. One solar battery can be claimed per dwelling on the premises, subject to the specific off-grid eligibility requirements.

What Does Not Disqualify You?

A few things people assume will rule them out actually don't:

• Your income: The federal battery program does not apply an income test.
• Living in a regional or remote area: The federal program isn't restricted to metropolitan areas. Specific requirements do apply to off-grid properties, including rules based on distance from the electricity grid.
• Already having solar panels: An existing solar PV system can be used, provided it meets the relevant requirements.
• Having an existing solar inverter: Your existing solar PV inverter does not necessarily need to be VPP-capable if it isn't connected to the battery. The inverter the battery is connected to must meet the relevant VPP and CEC requirements.

What Does Disqualify You?

A battery installation will not meet the program requirements if it fails the relevant eligibility criteria.

• The battery is not new, was previously installed or has already been claimed
• The battery is not on the CEC's approved battery list
• The battery's nominal capacity is outside the 5–100 kWh range
• The battery is installed without a new or existing solar PV system of no more than 100 kW
• The system does not meet applicable Australian and New Zealand standards or state and territory electrical safety requirements
• The installation is not completed by an appropriately SAA accredited installer
• A grid-connected battery system is not technically capable of participating in a VPP
• The battery has already been claimed for STCs at the premises

Federal Battery Rebate Eligibility Across Smart House Solar's Service Areas

One of the reassuring things about the Cheaper Home Batteries Program is that the federal eligibility requirements apply across Australia. Whether you're in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast, in Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, or Gympie, the federal eligibility criteria are based on the battery, solar PV system, installation and applicable technical requirements.

For eligible grid-connected systems, the battery must meet the federal requirements, including the 5 kWh to 100 kWh nominal capacity range, CEC approval, installation by an appropriately accredited installer, and VPP capability where required. State and territory programs may provide additional support, but their eligibility requirements can differ.

The federal program does not automatically guarantee eligibility for a state or territory incentive. The Clean Energy Regulator advises consumers to check whether separate programs can be claimed together, as some state or territory programs may not be available when claiming STCs under the SRES.

For Queensland customers across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and regional areas, the federal eligibility rules are the same. Your battery, solar PV system and installation must meet the applicable federal requirements.

For customers in Western Australia, additional state battery support may be available depending on your location, electricity provider and the current state program rules. These incentives have their own eligibility requirements, so confirm the current conditions with your installer before signing a contract.

Smart House Solar's solar rebate page provides further information about available solar and battery incentives for the areas it services.

How to Check Your Eligibility Before You Buy

1. Check your battery's nominal and usable capacity and confirm that the nominal capacity falls between 5 kWh and 100 kWh.
2. Confirm the battery is on the current CEC approved battery list.
3. Check your solar PV system is new or existing and no more than 100 kW.
4. Confirm your installer's SAA accreditation and appropriate battery endorsement.
5. Check VPP capability if your system is grid-connected, particularly if the battery will connect to an existing hybrid inverter.
6. Ask about the STC calculation and confirm how the upfront discount will be applied to your purchase price.
7. Check state or territory incentives separately to determine whether they can be combined with the federal program.
8. Get multiple quotes and compare the battery system, warranty, price and installation requirements before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an income test for the federal battery rebate?

No. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program does not use an income test as an eligibility requirement.

Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?

Yes. The battery can be installed with an existing solar PV system, provided the solar system is no more than 100 kW and meets applicable electrical safety requirements. The existing solar PV system does not need to be on the CEC approved product list.

Do I have to join a Virtual Power Plant?

No. A grid-connected battery needs to be technically capable of participating in a VPP, but you do not have to actually participate in one to be eligible for the federal program.

Is there a limit on how many batteries can claim STCs at one property?

Yes. For grid-connected systems, only one solar battery system is eligible for STCs per premises, based on one battery per NMI or commercial sub-meter.

Does my battery need to be a specific brand?

No specific brand is required. However, the battery model must be included on the CEC approved battery list and meet the applicable standards and program requirements.

Can an off-grid battery qualify?

Yes, but off-grid systems have additional requirements. The battery must be installed at a dwelling that is lived in, and VPP requirements depend partly on the property's distance from the electricity grid. Properties more than 1 km from the grid do not need to be VPP-capable. Properties less than 1 km from the grid must generally be VPP-capable or provide written evidence that connecting to the main grid would cost more than $30,000, excluding additional costs to extension to a building.

How much of my battery capacity can receive STCs?

STCs can be claimed for the first 50 kWh of usable battery capacity. The battery itself can have up to 100 kWh of nominal capacity.

Ready to Check Your Eligibility?

The fastest way to know exactly what you qualify for is to get your battery and installation details checked before you commit.

Smart House Solar can help you compare eligible battery systems, confirm the relevant installation requirements and understand the potential support available for your property.

Call 1300 650 747 to discuss your battery requirements and find out whether your proposed system meets the current Cheaper Home Batteries Program requirements.

Important: Program rules can change. Always confirm the current eligibility requirements and incentive arrangements before signing a contract. The Clean Energy Regulator's solar battery guidance is the official source for the federal SRES battery eligibility requirements.