Australia prepares for a surge in home battery installations under the federal Labor government’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries scheme, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has issued a stern warning: there will be zero tolerance for non-compliance, misleading sales tactics, or substandard customer service.
During a well-attended industry webinar on Tuesday—co-hosted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEW)—CER General Manager Matt Power emphasized the importance of integrity and accountability as the sector enters what could be one of its most transformative periods.
“This is an excellent program that will help households manage cost-of-living pressures, create jobs, and deliver broader benefits to the electricity grid,” Power said. “But it must be implemented correctly—for consumers, for the industry, and for the energy transition.”
The CER made it clear that the same rigorous standards applied to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)—which governs rooftop solar rebates—will also apply to battery installations. These include:
• Mandatory written compliance statements confirming adherence to all relevant design and installation standards.
• Documented proof of installation, such as time-stamped photos or selfies taken during setup, mid-installation, and final testing.
Retailers and installers found submitting false statements risk removal from the rebate program and may face civil or criminal prosecution.
“We’ve taken action against solar retailers in the past, and we won’t hesitate to do the same in the battery sector,” Power warned.
The CER is also closely monitoring sales practices to ensure consumers are not misled about battery capabilities or rebate conditions. Power urged industry participants to clearly communicate system performance expectations and rebate eligibility, including the requirement for batteries to be compatible with Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
Concerns were raised during the webinar about VPPs being limited to specific battery brands, potentially complicating consumer choices. Power advised installers to fully understand and explain any contractual obligations tied to VPP participation.
“If there are reports of misleading behavior or unclear contractual terms, we encourage these to be reported to the ACCC or relevant state and territory bodies,” he said. “Transparency is critical.”
The CER reiterated its commitment to working with other regulatory bodies to ensure the scheme delivers on its promise—without compromising consumer trust or industry standards.
Our recommendation is to hold off on making a purchase for now. Instead, take the time to explore available options and gather pricing information for solar batteries and inverters before making any decisions.
Thinking About a Home Battery? Here’s How to Maximise Your Federal Rebate
For years, we helped clients navigate the world of solar energy. In many cases, adding a home battery didn’t make financial sense—until now. Thanks to the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the equation has changed, and many families are moving forward with battery installations.
Here are my top tips to help you get the most out of your rebate and investment:
Choosing the Right Battery Size & Installer
• Compare multiple quotes: Prices vary significantly—sometimes by more than 100%—so get at least three quotes from reputable installers.
• Sizing matters: A good rule of thumb is to cover at least one-third of your daily energy usage. If budget allows, aiming for two-thirds is even better.
• One-time rebate opportunity: You can only claim the federal rebate once per dwelling, so it’s best to install the right amount of storage upfront.
• Plan for outages: Decide whether you want your battery to back up the entire house or just critical circuits during a blackout.
• Consider more solar panels: If you still have unused north-, east-, or west-facing roof space, expanding your system can further enhance your battery’s effectiveness.
Maximising Value After Installation
Once installed, your battery can help reduce electricity costs—especially if you switch to a retailer that offers exposure to wholesale energy prices and optimised battery management.
• Ditch traditional price hedging: Standard retailers build financial hedges into retail rates to protect themselves from price spikes. Your battery serves as a physical hedge, so you no longer need to pay for that financial protection.
• Leverage peak pricing: Your battery can export excess energy to the grid when prices surge, creating additional value for you and helping stabilise the grid.
• Avoid big gentailers’ virtual power plants: Many large energy providers don’t pass the full battery value onto consumers and often have incentives that don’t align with your interests.
Return on Investment: Faster Than You Think
Expect a payback period of around five years, translating to a 20% internal rate of return—but actual savings may be even greater as energy prices continue to climb.
Be among the first to receive regular updates, fast-tracked finance eligibility checks, and tailored battery system proposals as soon as the rebate launches.
Whether you’re adding storage to your existing solar setup or starting fresh, we’ll keep you in the loop with everything you need to know about the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
