Perth households and businesses are installing home batteries at a record pace, and the reason is simple: two separate incentives can now take a meaningful slice off the upfront price. One comes from the Australian Government, the other from the WA Government. Used together, they can reduce a typical household battery cost by several thousand dollars.
The catch is that both schemes have rules, and the federal rebate is shrinking on a fixed schedule. This guide explains what is available, who qualifies, how to claim, and why timing matters.
They are designed to work together, so you can claim both on the same battery if you meet each scheme's conditions.
The program began on 1 July 2025 and lets eligible batteries earn STCs, the same certificate system that has long supported rooftop solar. Your installer builds the discount into your quote, so you do not lodge a separate claim yourself.
Key rules
Recent changes. Since 1 May 2026 the rebate has stepped down every six months instead of yearly, and larger batteries receive less support per kWh. The government also lifted the program budget from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion to keep it running until 2030.
|
Installation period |
STC factor (per kWh) |
|
May to Dec 2026 |
6.8 |
|
Jan to Jun 2027 |
5.7 |
|
Jul to Dec 2027 |
5.2 |
Size tiers. The first 14 kWh earns 100% of the factor, 14 to 28 kWh earns 60%, and 28 to 50 kWh earns 15%.
What that means in dollars (assuming an STC price of about $38, which fluctuates):
This state scheme sits on top of the federal discount.
A VPP lets your retailer or provider coordinate many home batteries to support the grid at busy times, usually in exchange for credits or better rates. Read the contract terms before you agree.
The scheme was planned around 100,000 rebates and runs until they are used up, so confirm there is still funding when you start shopping.
Homeowners. Most Perth owner-occupiers with solar can claim the federal discount. If you are a Synergy customer who will join a VPP, you can add the state rebate and, if you qualify, the loan. Tenants on Synergy can also be eligible with their landlord's written consent.
Business owners. Small businesses are eligible for the federal discount on the same terms as households, provided the battery is paired with solar. The WA scheme is aimed at residential properties, so a commercial premises should not expect the state rebate. Ask your accountant how the battery is treated for tax, as that can add to the financial case.
The figures below are a hypothetical illustration, not a real customer case, and use the $38 STC assumption.
A Perth homeowner on Synergy with existing solar installs a 10 kWh battery this December and joins a VPP:
If they wait until January 2027, the federal portion falls to roughly $2,166, so the delay costs around $418 before any change in battery prices.
Some guides still quote around $5,000 combined for a 10 kWh system. That reflects the higher federal rates before May 2026, so treat older figures with caution.
For a small business adding a 20 kWh battery to its rooftop solar, the federal discount alone is about $4,548 at current rates.
Your payback depends on your battery price, evening electricity use, tariff and any VPP credits. The best check is to take your last few power bills and ask installers to model your savings after the rebates.
The 1 January 2027 step down is already legislated. Beyond that, the following is speculation: with demand strong, the government may tweak the rules again to protect the budget, and the WA scheme could close once its allocation is used. Neither is confirmed, so do not plan around a change that has not been announced.
If you are weighing a battery, the incentives are at their strongest right now and fall in January. Gather your bills, confirm your eligibility and request quotes that show every rebate clearly. You can explore solar battery options in Perth to see what suits your property.