Got a home battery in NSW? Claim up to $1,015
Switch to Amber's battery plan with SmartShift, and you may be eligible for the BESS2 incentive under the NSW Government Peak Demand Reduction Scheme.
Eligibility and incentive processing is managed by MAC Trade Services and are subject to their terms and conditions and PDRS eligibility criteria. Read more details
What is the NSW battery incentive?
The NSW Government Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) offers incentives to eligible households that connect their home battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
Amber's battery plan with SmartShift qualifies as an eligible VPP.
*For home batteries onboarded to a VPP from 1 July 2026, the required nomination can now be completed within 90 days of onboarding. Final eligibility is determined by MAC Trade Services.
Your property is in NSW
Batteries with more than 2 kWh and up to 50 kWh of usable capacity may be eligible, with the incentive calculation capped at 28 kWh.
Battery sizes 2 kWh up to 50 kWh
Your battery meets the relevant scheme requirements
Your battery is connected, or eligible to connect, to Amber’s SmartShift.*
3 easy steps to get started
The incentive is available to eligible new and existing batteries switching to Amber with SmartShift automation for the first time (or an eligible VPP). Once connected, your incentive application is handled directly with MAC Trade Services.
If you're not already an Amber customer in NSW, the first step is to switch. Once SmartShift automation is connected, you can start the application process.
For new customers we'll email you the IPART fact sheet and the MAC Trade Services nomination contract.
Existing customers can contact us to request the documents
Complete the application process directly with MAC Trade Services, who will confirm eligibility, incentive amount, and payment.
Amber does not assess eligibility, approve applications or pay the incentive.
Talk to someone first?
Our team are available on (03) 4150 3366 to help you get started. Call us Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Have these documents ready
You’ll need to upload supporting documents as part of the MAC Trade Services application.
Documentation requirements are determined by the third-party provider and may vary depending on your system.
Recent electricity bill
Download your latest bill from the Bills section of the Amber app. A previous retailer's bill works too, as long as it's not older than 6 months.
VPP onboarding welcome email
Search your inbox for "Your battery is being optimised". If you can’t find it, Amber support can send you a copy.
Battery quote or detailed purchase invoice
Reach out to your battery installer if you don’t have this document.
Photos of your battery
Include a clear shot of the serial number.
Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW)
Reach out to your battery installer if you don’t have this document.
Signed VPP contract, or terms and conditions
Use a standard copy of the SmartShift terms and conditions. It doesn’t need to be signed or personalised.
Completed scheme nomination form
Part of the first email Amber sends you about the rebate. Search for "IMPORTANT INFORMATION to claim your NSW battery rebate" and save that email as a PDF.
Supporting equipment photos
Only where the provider asks for them, depending on your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the incentive?
Incentive amounts varies with battery size and other factors and are determined by MAC Trade Services following their assessment. $1,015 is an estimated guide for a 28 kWh battery or bigger.
Amber does not determine the incentive amounts and it isn't guaranteed. Eligibility and amounts depend on MAC Trade Services' assessment and applicable terms and conditions.
How does eligibility work, and who checks it?
IPART (the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) sets the rules and oversees the scheme. MAC Trade Services is one of IPART's accredited providers (ACPs), and it's MAC Trade Services who assesses and processes each customer's application.
To qualify, you must be the account holder for the property's NMI (National Metering Identifier) and the person who signed the VPP contract. The site must be residential with a battery installed at the same address, and no life support equipment on site.
Your battery also needs to be on the CEC (Clean Energy Council) approved list at the time it's onboarded to the VPP, and BESS2 can only be claimed once per NMI. NSW customers have an addendum in their VPP terms and conditions: clause 23 commits Amber to making SmartShift available for a nominal 12 month term.
What if my battery is bigger than 28 kWh?
Potentially. Batteries with more than 2 kWh and up to 50 kWh of usable capacity may now be eligible. However, the incentive is calculated on a maximum of 28 kWh of usable battery capacity. Final eligibility is determined by MAC Trade Services.
What if I joined a VPP before 1 July 2026?
Different eligibility requirements may apply. Check with MAC Trade Services to understand which rules apply to your system.
I'm already with Amber, can I claim?
Yes, as long as your battery is connecting to SmartShift for the first time. The incentive is open to eligible new and existing batteries, so if you're an Amber customer in NSW who hasn't yet onboarded your battery to SmartShift, submit your battery details and we'll email you the documents you need.
If your battery is already onboarded to a virtual power plant (VPP), different rules may apply depending on when you joined, and the BESS2 incentive can only be claimed once per NMI.
Do I need solar panels?
No. For batteries onboarded to a VPP from 1 July 2026, solar panels are no longer required under the updated eligibility rules.
What is Amber's role in the application?
You don't apply through Amber. Once your battery is connected to SmartShift, you'll be redirected to MAC Trade Services to check your eligibility and complete your application.
MAC Trade Services administers the incentive. Amber does not assess applications, determine incentive amounts, process payments or receive a fee, and cannot speak on MAC Trade Services' behalf.
What if I can't find my paperwork?
Already signed, but lost the copy? if you can't find your paperwork, like your nomination contract, get in touch and we'll send you another copy.
Haven't signed yet? if you onboarded on or after 1 July 2026, you have up to 90 days from your onboarding date to submit your nomination.
More questions? Visit our help centre for more information
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We’ll handle the transfer from your current retailer
Switch to Amber now and claim the NSW VPP incentive.
Eligibility, assessment, application and incentive processing are managed by the third-party provider and subject to their terms and conditions.