The Cheaper Home Batteries rebate in Queensland
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program reduces the upfront cost of an eligible home battery installed with solar. Here's how it works in 2026, what changed on 1 May 2026, and why installation timing matters.
Information reviewed 11 October 2026. Program settings can change — confirm current amounts at the time of quoting.
Upfront discount
The rebate is applied as a discount on your installation price — no claim forms for you.
Tiered by capacity
From 1 May 2026, the discount is tiered by the battery's usable capacity.
Declines over time
The STC factor steps down every six months until the program ends in 2030.
A discount delivered through STCs
The program runs through the same Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) framework used for solar panels. An eligible battery creates a number of STCs based on its usable capacity and the STC factor at the time of installation. Your installer assigns the certificates and passes their value on to you as a discount.
Because STCs are traded on a market, their dollar value moves a little over time. We show the STC discount as a separate line on your quote.
Who can receive the discount
The program is open to households, small businesses and community organisations. There is no means test.
The discount is now tiered by usable capacity
From 1 May 2026 the discount is calculated in tiers. The first 14 kWh of usable capacity receives the full STC factor, the next band receives a reduced share, and capacity above 50 kWh receives no discount. This keeps most of the support on typical household-sized batteries.
STC factor schedule (installation date determines the factor)
| Installation period | STC factor |
|---|---|
| May – Dec 2026 | 6.8 |
| Jan – Jun 2027 | 5.7 |
| Jul – Dec 2027 | 5.2 |
| Jan – Jun 2028 | 4.6 |
| Jul – Dec 2028 | 4.1 |
| Jan – Jun 2029 | 3.6 |
| Jul – Dec 2029 | 3.1 |
| Jan – Jun 2030 | 2.6 |
| Jul – Dec 2030 | 2.1 |
Capacity tiers: first 14 kWh at 100% of the factor; above 14 kWh to 28 kWh at 60%; above 28 kWh to 50 kWh at 15%; above 50 kWh no discount. The factor that applies is the one in force on the day the battery is installed, not the day you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the battery rebate worth?
It depends on the battery's usable capacity, the STC factor on the installation date and the market price of STCs. For a typical household battery the discount is commonly several thousand dollars. We calculate the exact figure for the battery we recommend and show it on your quote.
Can I get the rebate if I already have solar?
Yes. The battery must be connected to a solar system, but it can be an existing one. Adding a battery to existing solar is one of the most common installations we do.
Do I have to join a virtual power plant?
No. The battery must be capable of joining a VPP to be eligible, but joining one is your choice.
Is there also a Queensland state battery rebate?
Not currently. The Queensland Battery Booster rebate closed to new applications in 2024. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is the main incentive available.
Does the rebate get smaller over time?
Yes. The STC factor reduces every six months until the program ends in 2030. Because the factor is set by the installation date, installing earlier generally means a larger discount.
See your rebate on a real quote
We'll recommend a battery for your home and show the exact rebate discount based on its usable capacity and your installation date.
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