Updated 06/05/2025
The Federal Labor Party Government has announced the Cheaper Home Batteries Program during the lead up to the Federal Election held 3rd May 2025. Now they have won the election for the second term it is now expected the program will commence 1st July 2025. Whilst there is little detail about the scheme, here is what we know so far.
The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program from 1 July 2025 reducing the cost of a typical installed battery by 30 per cent – with over one million new batteries expected by 2030. It will provide an up-front discount on the purchase and installation of home batteries. It’s expected to lower the cost to households by around 30%. The incentive will be delivered through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) – the same program that has successfully and safely been delivering solar subsidies since 2011. In addition to homes, small businesses and community facilities will also be able to access the subsidy, with support for up to 50 kWh of batteries sized up to 100 kWh eligible.
What we know so far:
- Scheme will be regulated by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
- Scheme commences 1 July 2025
- The subsidy is not means-tested
- The batteries will need to have been approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC)
- Installers must be accredited battery installers through Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
- The minimum usable battery capacity is 5 kWh.
- The maximum usable capacity is 50 kWh – but you can install systems up to 100 kWh and still receive the rebate for a 50kWh system.
- Batteries must be Virtual Power Plant (VPP) ready (but there’s no requirement to join a VPP).
- Owners of existing battery systems can install another and be eligible on the additional battery.
- System owners need to connect the battery to a new or existing solar system.
- One federal government battery STC claim per property.
- Batteries installed between now and 1 July cannot be turned on until 1 July and the Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) cannot be dated prior to 1 July.
- Still to be confirmed but its expected approximately 9.3 STCs per kWh of usable capacity of battery installed.
We will be managing the Program through our FormBay portal. FormBay have put interim measures in place to allow jobs to be set up and managed as they are done with solar. Form more information on the interim measures in FormBay please go to following link
Whilst the current known information is detailed above please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
