Solar Rebate Australia 2026: Federal and State Schemes Explained
Solar rebates in Australia in 2026 come from two sources: a federal scheme that applies nationwide, and state-level programs that vary significantly by location, eligibility and available funding.
Understanding both before you get quotes can make a real difference to your net cost — and help you avoid making decisions based on schemes that have already closed, changed or hit their annual cap.
- The federal STC scheme reduces upfront solar cost for most Australian households.
- State rebates vary by state, change regularly and often have eligibility caps.
- Battery rebates exist in some states but come with conditions.
- Confirm current availability directly with each program before relying on any rebate in your budget.
The federal rebate: how STCs work
The Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme is Australia's main federal solar rebate. It applies to eligible solar panel installations and solar hot water systems.
When you install solar, your system generates a number of STCs based on:
- System size in kilowatts
- Your location zone (postcode-based estimate of annual solar hours)
- The years remaining in the scheme
Installers typically deduct the STC value from the installation price upfront, so the price you see is usually already net of the rebate. You are not required to handle STCs yourself.
How much is the federal STC rebate worth?
The STC rebate amount in 2026 depends on your postcode zone and system size.
Australia is divided into STC zones 1–4 based on average solar hours. Zone 1 (far north Queensland) generates the most certificates per kilowatt installed. Zone 4 (Tasmania, some alpine areas) generates the fewest.
Most major capital cities fall in Zone 3. A typical 6.6kW system in Zone 3 in 2026 generates a meaningful number of certificates. The exact value depends on the current STC market price.
Ask your installer to confirm the STC value for your postcode and system size. The Clean Energy Regulator publishes current STC market prices.
State solar rebates in 2026
State programs change frequently. The table below reflects the known status of major programs as of mid-2026. Always verify current eligibility and availability directly with the relevant state agency before including any state rebate in your budget.
| State | Program | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Empowering Homes | Interest-free loan | Solar-battery systems; income and property eligibility apply |
| VIC | Solar Homes Program | Rebate + loan | Subject to annual caps and household eligibility; waitlists possible |
| SA | Home Battery Scheme | Subsidy (check status) | Has previously offered significant battery subsidies; confirm current availability |
| QLD | Battery Booster | Rebate | Subject to eligibility and available funding |
| WA | Horizon Power scheme | Regional only | For eligible regional households; not metro Perth |
| TAS | Check state website | Varies | Confirm current programs with Tasmanian government |
| ACT | Sustainable Household Scheme | Low-interest loan | For a range of home upgrades including solar |
Battery-specific rebates
Several state schemes in 2026 specifically support home battery installations, either standalone or as part of a solar-battery package.
Common conditions attached to battery rebates include:
- Existing rooftop solar of a minimum capacity
- Using a battery on the state's approved product list
- Using a Clean Energy Council accredited installer
- Connecting the battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant (VPP) operator
- Income or household type thresholds
The VPP connection requirement is worth understanding before you commit. Joining a VPP means the energy retailer can dispatch some of your stored energy to the grid during demand peaks. In return, you receive credits or a favourable energy rate. This is generally beneficial, but you should understand how much control you retain over your own stored energy — particularly if backup power during outages is important to you.
Feed-in tariffs are not a rebate — but they affect the same decision
Feed-in tariffs (FiTs) are payments your electricity retailer makes for solar energy you export to the grid. They are not a government rebate, but they directly affect how quickly your solar system pays for itself.
FiT rates in 2026 vary by:
- State and network
- Retailer
- Whether you have a time-varying or flat export rate
In recent years, FiT rates in most states have fallen as rooftop solar penetration has increased. Some retailers now offer time-of-export rates that pay more for solar exported during peak demand periods.
Check your current or proposed FiT rate when calculating payback. A lower FiT rate makes self-consumption more valuable and can change whether a battery makes sense.
How to check if you qualify for a rebate
Steps to confirm eligibility:
1. Check your state's energy department website for current programs — not third-party comparison sites, which may carry outdated information
2. Confirm your address qualifies — some programs are postcode-restricted or exclude rental properties
3. Check income thresholds — many programs have means testing
4. Confirm product eligibility — some programs require specific approved battery or panel brands
5. Check current cap and waitlist status — popular programs fill their annual allocation early
Do not rely on an installer to tell you what rebates are available. They may be familiar with programs that supported previous sales but unaware of recent changes. Check the primary source.
Combining federal and state rebates
For eligible households, it is often possible to claim both the federal STC rebate and a state-level rebate on the same installation.
If a state scheme requires a specific product, installer accreditation or VPP connection, these requirements must be met regardless of the federal rebate situation.
Some state loan schemes require the STC value to be deducted from the loan amount. Ask the program administrator how the two interact before your installer submits paperwork.
What changes year to year
Between 2025 and 2026, several things affecting solar rebates have shifted:
- The STC multiplier has dropped by one more year, reducing the federal rebate slightly
- Some state programs that had waitlists in 2025 reopened with new allocations in 2026
- Battery rebate conditions in some states now more tightly require VPP participation
- Feed-in tariff rates in most states have remained low or declined slightly further
For the most accurate current picture, check the Clean Energy Regulator website for federal STC information and your state government energy website for state-level programs.
Solar rebates in Australia in 2026 remain meaningful — but they vary by state, change regularly and come with eligibility conditions. Confirm what you qualify for before including any rebate in your payback calculation, and always check primary government sources rather than relying on installer estimates.