The federal government just made it easier — and cheaper — to future-proof your home with a solar battery. Labor has unveiled its new Cheaper Home Batteries policy, offering households an upfront 30% rebate on the cost of a solar battery system. That could mean savings of $3,000–$4,500 or more, depending on your setup.
As Melbourne’s trusted solar and battery installer, Max Power Electrical is here to help homeowners make the most of this rebate and enjoy energy independence with cutting-edge systems like the Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ Battery.
⚡ What Is the Federal Battery Rebate?
The 30% rebate is part of Labor’s broader $19.7 billion energy transition strategy. The goal: to get one million battery systems installed across Australian homes by 2030 — supporting renewables, lowering bills, and easing grid demand.
Unlike some previous state-level schemes, this is a federal rebate, available across the country. And crucially, it’s upfront, not a tax deduction or delayed credit.
What it covers:
- 30% off battery system cost, including installation
- Available to owner-occupiers (some renters may qualify)
- Works with existing solar or as part of a new solar+battery package
- Stackable with state rebates/loans (like Victoria’s $8,800 interest-free loan)
The scheme is designed to help more families store their solar energy for use at night, rather than exporting it to the grid for mere cents.
🗓️ When does it start?
The rebate is part of Labor’s 2025–26 budget. Rollout details will be released shortly, but we recommend preparing your system assessment now — demand is expected to spike once the program launches.
🔋 Why Batteries Are a Smart Investment in 2025
With rising electricity prices and falling feed-in tariffs, the economics of solar batteries have shifted dramatically in just the last year.
Let’s break it down:
| Metric | 2023 | 2025 |
| Feed-in tariffs | ~6c/kWh | ~3–5c/kWh |
| Retail energy rates | ~25c/kWh | 35–40c/kWh |
| Battery cost (13.5kWh) | ~$16,000 | ~$13,500 |
| Battery rebate | None | 30% ($4,050) |
| Payback period | 8–10 years | 4–6 years (with rebate + loan) |
More homeowners are realising that it’s better to use your solar energy yourself, especially during the evening peak, than to sell it back for a fraction of its value.
💸 Example Savings: Tesla Powerwall + Rebate
Here’s a real-world example based on a Tesla Powerwall 2 system:
- System cost: $14,000 (including install)
- Federal rebate: -$4,200
- Vic interest-free loan: -$8,800
- Out-of-pocket upfront: ~$1,000
- Annual energy savings: ~$1,700–$2,300
- ROI/payback: ~1–2 years (on upfront spend), ~5 years overall
You get cleaner energy, major bill reductions, blackout protection, and energy independence.
🔍 Which Batteries Qualify?
Most major lithium-ion home battery brands are expected to qualify under the federal scheme. At Max Power Electrical, we install only CEC (Clean Energy Council) -approved battery systems that meet the highest safety and efficiency standards.
We recommend:
✅ Tesla Powerwall 2
- 13.5kWh storage
- Elegant all-in-one design
- Seamless blackout backup
- 10-year warranty
✅ Enphase IQ Battery 5P
- Modular (start small and expand)
- Great for smaller homes
- AC-coupled — easy to add to existing solar
- Excellent warranty and monitoring
Not sure which one suits your home? We provide tailored advice based on your solar usage, property size, and energy goals.
🌏 Batteries Help the Whole Grid
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the battery rebate is about more than helping individual households — it’s about building a cleaner, more reliable electricity grid.
“Batteries are essential to unlocking the full benefits of solar energy. They reduce strain on the grid, lower wholesale prices, and protect households from blackouts,” he said.
Australia already has the highest rooftop solar uptake in the world, and now the focus is shifting to storing that energy instead of wasting it.
The Climate Council says rooftop solar and home batteries could help avoid the need for new fossil fuel power plants — a win for your wallet and the planet.
🧾 How to Get the Rebate
The full rollout of the Cheaper Home Batteries scheme will be announced soon, but here’s how to prepare now:
- Get a battery-ready quote — We assess your solar usage and suggest the right system size and type.
- Check your eligibility — We help you understand which rebates and loans apply in your case.
- Reserve your spot — Installation times will fill quickly once the rebate opens. Don’t wait to start planning.
- Claim your rebate — We handle the paperwork and rebate claim process as part of our service.
Already have solar? We can retrofit a battery system to your existing setup — no need to start over.
🧠 FAQs
Q: Can I get the federal rebate and the VIC loan together?
Yes — both incentives are stackable. That means even bigger savings if you’re in Victoria.
Q: Will this work with my current solar system?
Most systems are compatible with either Tesla or Enphase batteries. We’ll assess your system and provide upgrade options if needed.
Q: Is there a deadline to apply?
The scheme will have limited funding in each phase. To avoid missing out, we recommend booking your system design ASAP.
✅ Act Now With Max Power Electrical
We’re Melbourne’s solar battery experts, offering turnkey service from quote to installation — and we handle your rebates too.
Whether you’re adding a battery to an existing system or going solar for the first time, now is the best time to do it.
📞 Call us on 1300 795 922
📩 Or book a free quote online
Let’s lock in your rebate and help you take control of your energy bills — for good.
