How is the federal battery rebate calculated?

The rebate is paid as small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The number of STCs depends on the usable capacity of the battery and on an STC factor that drops every six months. Each STC is then worth its market price, around 38 dollars.

Is there a limit on battery size?

Each battery must be at least 5 kWh. Certificates are only created for the first 50 kWh of usable capacity, and capacity above 14 kWh earns a reduced share since 1 May 2026.

Official Clean Energy Regulator schedule · checked 29 October 2026

How much is the battery rebate worth to you?

The federal rebate for your battery today, and what you lose if it goes in after the next cut.

Certificates per kWh

6.85.7

on 1 January 2027, in 65 days

Usable battery capacity 13.5 kWh

State or territory

When it is installed

Official certificate schedule, to the end of 2030
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Estimates only: your installer's quote is what counts

Federal rebate

about $3,458

91 STCs × $38 per STC, factor 6.8

The rebate drops on 1 January 2027. Installed after that, the same battery gets about $570 less.

Your rebate by install date

NowLater

What the 1 January 2027 cut means for you

Before you get quotes: the 7-point checklist

How the rebate is worked out

The rebate is paid as small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Your installer creates them and usually takes their value off your quote.

Usable capacity is split into bands: the first 14 kWh counts in full, 14 to 28 kWh at 60 %, 28 to 50 kWh at 15 %.
Each band is multiplied by the STC factor in force on the install date.
The number of STCs is multiplied by the STC price, about $38 today.

STC factor by install date

Set by the Clean Energy Regulator. It drops on 1 January and 1 July each year until the end of 2030.

Install date	Factor per kWh	Status
May 2026 to Dec 2026	6.8	In force now
Jan 2027 to Jun 2027	5.7	Scheduled
Jul 2027 to Dec 2027	5.2	Scheduled
Jan 2028 to Jun 2028	4.6	Scheduled
Jul 2028 to Dec 2028	4.1	Scheduled
Jan 2029 to Jun 2029	3.6	Scheduled
Jul 2029 to Dec 2029	3.1	Scheduled
Jan 2030 to Jun 2030	2.6	Scheduled
Jul 2030 to Dec 2030	2.1	Scheduled

Worked examples at today's factor

Usable capacity	STCs	Rebate today	From 1 January 2027
10 kWh	68	$2,584	$2,166
13.5 kWh	91	$3,458	$2,888
20 kWh	119	$4,522	$3,800
30 kWh	154	$5,852	$4,902

Before you get quotes

What a battery costs, before and after the rebateTypical installed prices by size, and what the $3,458 discount does to them.
Is a battery worth it?A payback calculator using your bill and feed-in tariff.
How to compare batteries and quotesThe seven points to check on a written quote.
Extra rebates by stateWhat WA, NSW and the ACT add to the federal rebate.

Questions

Does the rebate depend on the install date or the order date?

The install date. A battery installed on or after 1 January 2027 gets the lower factor, even if it was ordered earlier.

Is the rebate paid to me?

In most cases the installer creates the certificates and takes their value off the price. Check that your quote shows the discount.

Why is the STC price an estimate?

STCs trade on a market. Installers pass on a price close to it, but it varies. Ask each installer what price they used.

Which batteries are eligible?

The battery must be new, on the Clean Energy Council approved list, installed with a new or existing solar system, able to join a virtual power plant, and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer with a battery endorsement. Each battery must be at least 5 kWh, and certificates only cover the first 50 kWh of usable capacity. One eligible battery per premises. Full conditions are on the Clean Energy Regulator page.

Can I also get a state rebate?

Some states add their own support on top of the federal rebate, notably WA. See battery rebates by state.