Quick Answer
Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), Australian households can get up to approximately $6,800 off a 50 kWh battery system from 1 May 2026, with any battery of 14 kWh usable capacity or less earning the same full ~$272/kWh rate.
- Discount: ~30% via automatic point-of-sale STC discount — no application, no income test
- Full-rate tier: any battery up to 14 kWh usable capacity gets the same top rate — a 5 kWh and a 13.9 kWh system earn identical $/kWh
- Eligibility: CEC-listed battery + VPP-capable + installed with solar + SAA-accredited installer
Cheaper Home Batteries Program Changes: What's New Since 1 May 2026
On 1 May 2026, the program shifted from a flat per-kWh rebate to a tiered structure based on battery size, and the rate now steps down every six months instead of once a year.
| Before 1 May 2026 | From 1 May 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate structure | Flat rate, all sizes | Tiered by size |
| Step-down frequency | Annual | Every 6 months |
| Oversizing incentive | Yes | No |
Next step-down: ~November 2026.
In practice, this means smaller and mid-sized household batteries keep the full rebate, while oversized systems earn less per kWh than before. And the sooner you install, the higher the rate you lock in.
What Is Cheaper Home Batteries Program?
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) is a federal discount scheme delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), running since 1 July 2025. It's paid as an automatic STC-based discount at the point of sale. Households don't apply directly.
What Is STC in Cheaper Home Batteries Program?
A Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) is a tradeable certificate your battery earns under the SRES. The official fixed price is $40 per certificate, though the actual market price can vary. Your installer sells them on your behalf and passes the value back as an upfront discount.
How Much Can You Get From CHBP in 2026?
CHBP applies to batteries between 5–100 kWh nominal capacity, installed with solar; STCs are only created for the first 50 kWh of usable capacity, and the rebate is tiered by size. The rate below assumes an STC factor of 6.8 per usable kWh (from 1 May 2026) and an STC price of $40.
| Usable capacity | STC factor | Approx. $/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 kWh | 100% | ~$272 |
| 14–28 kWh | 60% | ~$163 |
| 28–50 kWh | 15% | ~$41 |
| 50 kWh+ | 0% | $0 |
The tiers are cumulative, not either/or. The first 14 kWh at 100%, 14–28 kWh at 60%, 28–50 kWh at 15%. A larger battery still earns the full rate on its first 14 kWh, with only the capacity above each threshold dropping to the lower rate.
Quick Reference: Total Rebate by System Size
| Usable capacity | Approx. rebate |
|---|---|
| 5 kWh | ~$1,360 |
| 10 kWh | ~$2,720 |
| 14 kWh | ~$3,810 |
| 20 kWh | ~$4,780 |
| 28 kWh | ~$6,090 |
| 50 kWh | ~$6,800 |
These totals assume the official $40 STC price; the actual amount depends on the market STC price at your installation date and any admin margin your installer applies.
Which Batteries Qualify for CHBP?
- On the CEC approved product list
- VPP-capable at installation (participation optional)
- Installed with new or existing solar (grid-only battery = not eligible)
- Fitted by an SAA-accredited installer
- Nominal capacity 5–100 kWh: below 5 kWh, modules can be stacked to qualify; above 100 kWh nominal, the system is ineligible
- Rebate basis: calculated on usable capacity, first 50 kWh only
- One claim per premises: first install, add-on, or replacement only (multiple properties claim separately)
- Adding capacity: added battery must be ≥5 kWh, total system ≤100 kWh nominal
BSLBATT CEC-Approved Models & Rebate Example
All BSLBATT single-unit models below fall entirely within the 0–14 kWh full-rate tier, earning the maximum per-kWh rate.
| Model | Nominal | Usable | Tier | Approx. rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-LFP48-100E 3U | 5.12 kWh | 4.864 kWh | 100% | ~$1,320 |
| B-LFP48-200PW | 10.24 kWh | 9.728 kWh | 100% | ~$2,650 |
| Li-Pro 10240 | 10.24 kWh | 9.788 kWh | 100% | ~$2,660 |
Figures indicative, assume $40/STC
All three sit in the full-rate tier, so the choice comes down to format and capacity: the 100E 3U for modular rack setups, the 200PW as a single wall-mounted unit, and the Li-Pro 10240 for compact all-in-one installs. Other CEC-approved options are available across the BSLBATT CEC range.
State-by-State Status (July 2026)
CHBP applies nationwide, but some states add their own battery incentives on top while others have closed theirs. Here's where each stands as of July 2026.
| State | Battery incentive | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (CHBP) | ~30% via STCs | Active to 2030 |
| NSW | VPP incentive | Active |
| WA | State grant | Active |
| NT | Battery/inverter grant | Active (funding cap) |
| VIC | Solar Homes rebate | Closed (2024) |
| QLD | Battery Booster | Closed |
| SA | Home Battery Scheme | Closed (2022) |
Confirm via official state pages — funding caps can close programs without notice.
Is Cheaper Home Batteries Program Worth It?
Yes.
For most Australian households, CHBP is a genuinely good deal. The discount is applied automatically at purchase, and most single home batteries fall within the full-rate 14 kWh band, so there's little research needed to capture the maximum rate. It's especially worth it if you:
- Already have, or are installing, rooftop solar
- Use most of your electricity in the evening, after solar production stops
- Face high or rising grid electricity prices
- Want backup power during outages
- Are open to joining a VPP for extra income (optional)
You also don't need to deliberately choose a smaller battery to get the full rate — even on a larger system, the first 14 kWh still earns the full rebate, so size the battery to your actual electricity use, not to the rebate tiers.
FAQ about Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Q: Which batteries qualify for CHBP?
CEC-listed, VPP-capable, installed with solar, SAA-accredited install. BSLBATT is CEC-listed.
Q: How much did the rebate drop in 2026?
Flat rate → tiered (100%/60%/15%) from 1 May 2026. Next step-down ~November 2026.
Q: What size gets the most rebate per kWh?
Any battery with 14 kWh or less usable capacity — the full rate applies equally from 0 to 14 kWh, so a 5 kWh and a 13.9 kWh system earn the same $/kWh.
Q: Can I buy multiple batteries and still get the rebate?
Yes. The rebate covers combined usable capacity up to 50 kWh, provided the final stacked configuration is CEC-listed and the installer re-certifies the whole system.
Q: How is the rebate calculated for stacked batteries?
On the total combined usable capacity, using the tiered rates: 100% for the first 14 kWh, 60% for 14–28 kWh, 15% for 28–50 kWh. Capacity beyond the first 14 kWh still earns a rebate — just at the lower tier, not zero.
Q: Do I need solar to get the rebate?
Yes. Grid-only battery systems don't qualify.
Q: Is there an income test?
No. No means test; multiple properties can each claim separately.
Final Thought
By lowering the upfront cost, CHBP makes a quality home battery far more accessible for everyday Australians, and clean, self-generated energy an easier choice. With the barrier reduced, households can invest in a well-made, CEC-approved LiFePO4 battery with confidence rather than settling on price alone. That turns home battery storage from a nice-to-have into a practical part of the modern Australian home.
Marketing Director| Focused on ESS · BSLBATT
Aydan is a Marketing Director and energy storage specialist at BSLBATT, focusing on residential, commercial, and off-grid battery solutions. He works closely with solar distributors, installers, and EPC companies across global markets, supporting the design and deployment of reliable energy storage systems.
Post time: Jul-07-2026