The election result is in and with Labor securing the win, their promised national battery rebate is officially happening.
From 1 July 2025, eligible households, small businesses and community facilities will be able to access a new federal rebate to help cover the cost of installing a home battery - potentially saving thousands off the upfront cost.
Batteries have moved beyond the early adopters. They’re fast becoming a smart, accessible upgrade for everyday households, and this rebate is a major step toward making them more affordable and widely available.
While the finer details are still being finalised, we already know a lot about how the scheme will work - and what you can do right now to get ready.
When will the rebate be available?
Labor has confirmed the Cheaper Home Batteries Program will launch on 1 July 2025.
Installers are already seeing households pause battery purchases in anticipation - but this delay is expected to be short-lived, especially once eligibility criteria are confirmed.
It’s worth noting that early guidance suggests systems installed between 6 April and 1 July 2025 may still be eligible, as long as they’re not switched on until after the scheme begins. We’ve broken down how that works, and whether it’s worth installing early, in our detailed guide to weighing up your options.
Important note: Only batteries commissioned from 1 July onwards will be eligible for the rebate. That means if you install earlier, the system must remain uncommissioned until that date to qualify.
How much will the rebate be worth?
The program will offer a rebate of up to $372 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of usable battery capacity.
For context:
- A typical 13.5kWh battery (like a Tesla Powerwall 3) could be eligible for around $5,000 off
- If you’re in NSW, that could stack with another ~$2,000 through the state Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)
Labor has set aside $2.3 billion for the program, with the aim of supporting at least 6.2GWh of battery storage across Australian homes and small businesses.
How will the scheme work?
Rather than creating an entirely new system, the rebate will be delivered through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) - the same scheme that supports rooftop solar installations.
Here’s how it will work:
- Registered Persons (including customers, installers, or their agents) will be able to create certificates for eligible batteries through the REC Registry
- These certificates can then be sold through the STC clearing house, enabling the rebate to be passed on to customers as an upfront discount
This approach is designed to make the rollout faster and more streamlined for accredited installers.
What kinds of batteries will be eligible?
The rebate will apply to:
- Batteries between 5kWh and 100kWh
- Installed at homes, small businesses, or community buildings
- On- and off-grid systems
- Installations where solar is already present on the premises
- Up to 50kWh of storage capacity will be eligible per installation
Importantly, there is no additionality test so customers can still access state-based battery rebates alongside the federal one, where available.
Do batteries need to be smart or VPP-ready?
Yes - though there’s no requirement to join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
To qualify for the rebate, your battery will need to be VPP-capable, meaning it must be technically able to support remote communication and control. This ensures systems are compatible with a more dynamic, responsive energy grid.
With Amber’s SmartShift, eligible customers can already automate when their battery charges and discharges based on real-time energy prices - maximising earnings and minimising emissions without giving up control.
What’s not included?
- The rebate won’t cover vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems at this stage, although there’s potential for this to change under a technology-neutral framework
- Your battery system must be installed by an accredited installer
- Your property must already have solar installed - the rebate won’t apply to standalone battery setups
What you can do now
Even though the rebate doesn’t start until July 2025, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Check for state rebates
Programs like Victoria’s Solar Homes or NSW’s PDRS are still available and may stack with the federal rebate.
2. Get solar-ready
If you don’t have solar yet, this is the time to consider it. A solar system is a requirement for accessing the battery rebate, and pairing the two can deliver the best value long-term.
Take a look at solar and battery packages with Amber to see what’s available and what might suit your home.
3. Confirm compatibility
Make sure any battery you’re considering is VPP-capable. This could be a condition of the rebate, and will allow you to unlock extra savings through services like Amber’s SmartShift.
4. Start gathering quotes
You can line up your installation now - just make sure it’s not commissioned before 1 July 2025 if you want to claim the rebate.
Getting the most out of the rebate
Labor’s win has confirmed one of the most significant energy upgrades in recent years - and it’s focused on making smart, clean technology more accessible to more Australians.
If you’ve been thinking about a battery, now’s the time to start planning. Whether you’re early in your research or already comparing quotes, Amber can help you figure out if a battery makes sense for your home - and how to get the most from it.
Curious if a battery is right for you?
Call our energy specialists - they can talk you through your setup, expected savings, and whether a battery is the right fit.
Use our Get a Quote tool to check if your system is compatible with Amber and SmartShift.
Already getting quotes?
Check out Amber’s solar and battery packages to see what could work for your home.
Let’s make the most of this new chapter in Australia’s energy future.
