3 Person Home
2-Bedroom Full-Time Off-Grid Living
2-Bedroom Off-Grid Solar Kit
As of now, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program does not explicitly state whether off-grid systems are eligible for the rebate. The program is designed to reduce the cost of installing home battery systems by 30%, starting from 1 July 2025, contingent upon Labor’s re-election in the upcoming federal election on 3 May 2025.
🔋 Eligibility Criteria
To access the rebate, the following must apply:
- Battery Size: System must have usable capacity between 5 kWh and 50 kWh. Larger systems can be installed (up to 100 kWh), but the rebate applies only to the first 50 kWh.
- VPP-Ready: Battery must be capable of participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Participation is optional.
- With Solar: Battery must be installed with new or existing rooftop solar panels.
- Installation Date: System must be commissioned on or after 1 July 2025. Systems installed earlier may qualify if not activated before that date.
- Eligible Properties: Available for homes, small businesses, and community facilities.
- One Rebate Per Property: One battery rebate per property. Multiple properties? You can apply separately for each.
- Approved Installers: Must be installed by accredited installers using approved battery systems.
📄 Official source:
Labor Policy Announcement – April 2025
❗ STCs and Battery Rebates – Clarification
The program does not currently include any formula for calculating Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on battery size.
Under current rules, the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) does not provide STCs for battery storage systems. The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) clearly states that batteries and battery components are not eligible for STCs.
Labor’s plan mentions using the SRES framework to deliver the rebate, which may involve extending the scheme to include batteries. If this happens, a new mechanism would be introduced, but no official details or formulas have been published yet.
Until formal guidelines are released, any STC estimates linked to battery capacity remain speculative.
🏡 Off-Grid Systems Eligibility
Currently, the program does not explicitly address the eligibility of off-grid systems. Given the emphasis on systems being VPP-ready and integrated with the existing energy grid, it is possible that off-grid systems may not qualify. However, without specific guidelines, this remains uncertain.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to consult the official program documentation or contact the relevant authorities once the program details are finalized.
