The Australian Government has released the first official draft of eligibility criteria for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, shedding light on how this major national incentive will work once it launches on July 1, 2025.
Designed to significantly lower the upfront cost of home battery storage for households and small businesses, the initiative isn’t technically a “rebate”—but the label has stuck, thanks to its resemblance to previous solar subsidy schemes.
The draft guidelines, published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), offer greater clarity around how the program will operate. However, as the regulations are still being finalized, some details may shift before launch.
While earlier guidance hinted that batteries could be installed ahead of July 1, provided they remained switched off, the updated draft now makes things clear:
To qualify, the Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CoC)—or its equivalent—must be issued on or after July 1, 2025.
This certificate confirms the system meets safety and regulatory requirements. If it’s dated before July 1, the system is ineligible, regardless of whether the battery was switched on or not. In other words, no CoC = no subsidy.
The incentive will be delivered through the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) framework, similar to the system used for solar panel rebates.
In 2025, the subsidy is estimated at $372 per kilowatt-hour of usable battery capacity, before administrative costs.
Year | Value per kWh | STC Factor |
2025 | $372 | 9.3 |
2026 | $336 | 8.4 |
2027 | $296 | 7.4 |
2028 | $260 | 6.5 |
2029 | $224 | 5.6 |
2030 | $188 | 4.7 |
Note: Actual rebate values may vary depending on STC market pricing and periodic policy adjustments.
While this draft provides a much clearer picture of the program’s direction, several aspects are still being fine-tuned.
If you’re considering installing a home battery system, it’s wise to stay informed as the regulations evolve in the weeks leading up to the
official rollout.
