Rebates are the difference between solar being a nice idea and an obvious one. In 2026 there are two federal schemes available everywhere — one for panels, one for batteries — plus a shrinking handful of state extras.
The catch: several well-known state battery rebates have quietly closed, and a lot of advice online still quotes them. This guide cuts through it — what you can actually get in 2026, state by state, and what to ignore.
1. The Federal STC Rebate (for Solar Panels)
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the big one, and it's available in every state. Your system generates Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), and your installer takes them in return for a discount applied at the point of sale — you just pay the lower price.
In 2026 it's worth roughly $1,500–$2,000 off a 6.6kW system and $2,000–$3,000 off a 10kW system. Two things to know: on 1 January 2026 the certificate "deeming period" dropped from six years to five, trimming a few hundred dollars off the rebate, and the scheme steps down further every year until it ends entirely at the close of 2030. There's more on this in our solar system cost guide.
2. The Federal Battery Rebate (Cheaper Home Batteries Program)
Launched in mid-2025, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program covers roughly 30% of the cost of a home battery, applied the same point-of-sale way as the panel rebate. It's available nationwide for batteries on the approved product list, installed by an accredited installer, up to 50kWh of usable capacity.
Timing matters here. The battery rebate stepped down on 1 May 2026 to around $250 per usable kWh (down from roughly $300+ earlier in the year), and it keeps falling on a set schedule through to 2030. The earlier you install, the bigger the discount.
For the full battery numbers and whether one pays off for your home, see our solar battery cost guide.
3. State Rebates — Who Still Has What
This is where most outdated advice goes wrong. Here's the real state of play in 2026:
| State | What's available in 2026 (on top of federal) |
|---|---|
| NSW | VPP incentive (~$720–$1,500) for connecting a battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant. The standalone state battery rebate has ended. |
| VIC | Solar Homes solar panel rebate up to ~$1,400, plus an interest-free solar loan. The Victorian battery rebate and battery loan have closed. Extra schemes exist for rentals and apartments. |
| QLD | Federal only. The Battery Booster loan/rebate has closed. |
| SA | Federal only. The Home Battery Scheme has closed. |
| WA | Synergy Home Battery Scheme (~$1,300) for VPP-connected batteries, on top of federal. |
| ACT | Sustainable Household Scheme interest-free loan (up to ~$15,000), usable alongside federal. |
| TAS / NT | Federal only. |
Feed-in tariffs — the small payment for power you export — also vary by state and retailer (often just a few cents), but using your solar directly during the day is worth far more than exporting it.
4. Stacking — What Combines
You can claim more than one rebate on the same job, within reason. The combinations that work in 2026:
- Federal STC (panels) + a state solar rebate where one exists (e.g. Victoria's ~$1,400).
- Federal STC (panels) + federal battery rebate when you install solar and a battery together.
- Federal battery rebate + a state VPP incentive (e.g. NSW or WA) for connecting the battery to a Virtual Power Plant.
See your savings after rebates — free
Upload your electricity bill and SolarBill estimates the right system size and what you'd save, with the federal rebate already factored in. 60 seconds, no account.
Try the Free Calculator ☀️5. Watch Out for Outdated Quotes
Because so many state schemes have closed, some quotes still list rebates that no longer exist — or bundle everything into a vague "$X off" line. A trustworthy quote shows each rebate as a separate, named line item so you can see exactly what's being applied and where it comes from. If a quote references the Victorian battery rebate, the QLD Battery Booster or the SA Home Battery Scheme, treat it as a red flag and ask for the breakdown.
Do You Have to Claim Anything Yourself?
For almost everyone, no. Your installer creates the certificates and applies the discount directly to your quote — you simply pay the reduced price. Your job is to confirm the installer is accredited, the gear is on the Clean Energy Council approved list, and the rebates are itemised clearly.
The Bottom Line
In 2026 the two federal schemes do the heavy lifting in every state, the rebates shrink a little each year, and most of the old state battery programs are gone. The practical takeaway: the rebate you'd get is largest now and smaller later — and the only way to know your real, after-rebate numbers is to base them on your actual usage.
Upload your bill to SolarBill for a personalised system size, cost and savings estimate with the rebate built in — free, in about a minute.
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Scan My Bill ☀️SolarBill is a free solar calculator for Australian homeowners. Rebate figures are indicative for 2026 and change over time and by location — always confirm current amounts with an accredited installer or the relevant government website.