The Australian federal government has moved decisively to support home battery adoption as part of its 2030 renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. Significant federal incentives are now in place — reducing the cost of home battery storage for millions of Australian households.
The Home Battery Incentive (HBI) — Coming 2025
The Australian Government announced the Home Battery Incentive as part of its Powering Australia plan. Key features of the scheme:
- Rebate amount: An upfront subsidy applied at point of sale — equivalent to reducing battery system costs by 30% or more for eligible households. The exact amount is calculated based on battery capacity (kWh).
- Who qualifies: Australian homeowners and eligible renters purchasing a battery system from an accredited installer. Battery must meet minimum capacity requirements and appear on the relevant approved products list.
- How to claim: The discount is applied automatically at point of sale by your accredited installer — no separate application is required by the homeowner.
- Eligible systems: Standalone battery systems (added to existing solar) and battery systems installed as part of a new solar installation both qualify.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), solar systems receive STCs based on their location and size. When a battery is installed together with a new solar system, the combined system generates additional STCs that further offset cost.
The number of STCs is calculated based on:
- Solar panel capacity (kW)
- Your location zone (Queensland falls in Zone 1 — the highest generation zone)
- Years remaining in the scheme (phasing out 2030)
For a 10kW solar + 10kWh battery system in Queensland, STCs can be worth a significant amount off the system price — contact us for a personalised estimate.
Battery STCs — Standalone Battery Systems
Previously, standalone battery systems (added to existing solar) did not generate STCs. The expansion of the SRES to include standalone batteries means that even retrofitting a battery to your existing solar system can now attract STC-equivalent incentives.
This is a significant change for the estimated 4+ million households with solar panels who have not yet added battery storage.
Household Energy Upgrade Fund (HEUF)
The Household Energy Upgrade Fund provides low-interest financing for home energy upgrades including battery storage. Administered through participating lenders:
- Loan rates significantly below standard personal loan rates
- Repayable over up to 10 years
- Available for battery systems, solar panels, EV chargers, and other eligible upgrades
- Combines with upfront rebates — you get both the discount and the low-interest financing
Combining Federal and State Incentives
One of the most important strategies for Queensland buyers is combining federal and state-level programs. Federal incentives (STCs, HBI, HEUF) are designed to stack with state programs:
| Incentive | Level | Typical Value | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCs | Federal | Varies by system size | Yes |
| Home Battery Incentive | Federal | 30% off battery | Yes (check terms) |
| HEUF Low-interest Loan | Federal | Low-rate financing | Yes |
Do I Need an Accredited Installer?
Yes — this is a firm requirement. To access any government battery rebate or incentive program, your battery system must be installed by an accredited installer. This protects consumers and ensures systems are installed safely and to Australian standards.
East West Solar and Electrical's accredited installers ensure all our battery installations qualify for applicable government programs.
Will These Incentives Last?
The STC scheme phases out in 2030 — the certificates available reduce each year. The newer HBI and HEUF programs have multi-year funding committed but could change with future government priorities. Acting sooner generally means accessing better incentive levels.
Get a Fully Incentivised Battery Quote
We'll calculate all applicable federal and QLD rebates for your situation and give you a clear picture of what a battery system will actually cost you.
Get My Battery QuoteQueensland households are exceptionally well placed to benefit from federal battery incentives — combine them with QLD-specific programs and low-interest financing, and a home battery has never been more affordable. Call us on 0409 140 247 to discuss your options.