Solar Feed-In Tariff Australia 2026: What You Are Actually Paid for Exported Solar
A solar feed-in tariff (FiT) is the rate your electricity retailer pays you for solar energy you generate but don't use 鈥?energy that flows back into the grid. In Australia in 2026, feed-in tariff rates have declined significantly from the high rates offered in early solar programs. Understanding what you are actually paid, and why it matters less than self-consumption, is essential before making decisions about solar or battery storage.
- Feed-in tariffs in Australia in 2026 typically range from $0.04 to $0.10 per kWh depending on state and retailer.
- Export rates are significantly lower than import rates 鈥?typically $0.28鈥?0.36/kWh to buy, $0.04鈥?0.10/kWh to sell.
- Self-consumption (using solar you generate rather than exporting it) is almost always more valuable than exporting.
- A battery can capture daytime surplus for evening use instead of exporting at a low rate.
What a feed-in tariff is
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is using at that moment, the surplus flows back through your meter and onto the grid. Your retailer pays you a per-kWh rate for this exported energy 鈥?the feed-in tariff.
In most Australian states, the feed-in tariff is set by the retailer (within a minimum floor set by the state regulator). It appears as a credit on your electricity bill.
Current feed-in tariff rates in Australia by state (2026)
Feed-in tariff rates change regularly. The figures below are indicative for 2026 鈥?always check your current retailer agreement and state regulator for current minimum rates.
| State | Typical FiT range (per kWh) | Regulator minimum |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $0.04鈥?0.08 | No regulated minimum (market-based) |
| VIC | $0.04鈥?0.10 | Set annually by Essential Services Commission |
| QLD | $0.05鈥?0.10 | Retailer-set, with some oversight |
| SA | $0.03鈥?0.08 | Market-based |
| WA | $0.02鈥?0.10 | Synergy sets rate for Horizon/Synergy customers |
| ACT | $0.04鈥?0.08 | Market-based |
| TAS | Contact Aurora Energy | Regulated rate |
Why feed-in tariffs have fallen so sharply
Feed-in tariffs in most Australian states were once much higher 鈥?some early programs paid $0.44鈥?0.60/kWh. Those were government incentive programs designed to accelerate solar uptake. Most of those programs have closed to new entrants.
Today's rates reflect the actual wholesale value of solar energy exported to the grid during the day 鈥?which is low, and in some states has become negative during periods of high solar generation. The grid receives large volumes of solar during the middle of the day, reducing wholesale prices when solar export is most common.
The self-consumption gap: why it matters more than the FiT
The most important number for understanding your solar system's value is the gap between what you pay to import electricity and what you receive for exporting it.
Example at typical 2026 rates:
- Import rate (grid electricity): $0.32/kWh
- Export rate (feed-in tariff): $0.06/kWh
- Gap: $0.26/kWh
Every kWh you generate and use yourself saves you $0.32. Every kWh you export earns you $0.06. The value of self-consumption is more than five times the value of export at these rates.
This means:
- Running high-draw appliances during solar generation hours (10am鈥?pm) maximises self-consumption
- A home battery stores surplus daytime solar for evening use instead of exporting at a low rate
- The financial case for a battery is strongest when your daytime export is high and your evening import is also high
Time-varying and demand-based feed-in tariffs
Some retailers offer time-varying feed-in tariffs 鈥?paying more for solar exported during peak demand periods (typically late afternoon) and less during the middle of the day.
Ausgrid (NSW) has offered a peak FiT of around $0.30/kWh for solar exported between 4pm and 9pm, while paying much lower rates during midday. If your solar system generates into late afternoon and you are on the right plan, the evening window can provide meaningfully better returns than a flat export rate.
Ask your retailer whether time-varying feed-in tariffs are available in your area and whether your inverter and meter support them.
Premium feed-in tariff schemes (legacy programs)
Some Australian households are still receiving the original high premium feed-in tariffs from state government programs established in 2009鈥?012. If you are one of these households:
- NSW Solar Bonus Scheme (expired 鈥?last payments were 2016)
- VIC Premium Feed-In Tariff (expired 鈥?program closed 2024)
- QLD Solar Bonus Scheme (rate has reduced over time)
If you are considering upgrading your solar system or adding a battery, check how a system change affects any remaining legacy FiT entitlements 鈥?in some cases, a hardware change can reset you to current market rates.
How to find your actual feed-in tariff rate
1. Check your electricity bill 鈥?it should show a line item for solar exports and the rate paid
2. Check your retailer's current plan details online
3. Use your state energy regulator's comparison tool (e.g. Energy Made Easy in NSW/VIC/QLD/SA/ACT)
When comparing plans with solar, look at both the import rate and the export rate together 鈥?a plan with a higher FiT but higher import rate may not be better overall.
Feed-in tariffs in Australia in 2026 are low 鈥?typically $0.04鈥?0.10/kWh. The most valuable thing you can do with solar generation is use it yourself rather than export it. Run high-draw appliances during the day, and consider a battery to capture surplus generation for evening use. The feed-in tariff is a useful top-up, not the primary financial case for solar.