Battery Rebate Changes Ahead: Why Now Is the Time to Install
Battery Rebate Under Threat: Why Waiting Could Cost You Thousands
If you've been putting off a home battery, this is the week to stop waiting.
The federal battery rebate is already set to drop on 1 January 2027. Now the Prime Minister has refused to rule out an income test, and Treasury is reportedly drafting options to cut it further. The rebate you can get today may not be there next year.
What's happening
The government is hunting for budget savings, and the $7.2 billion home battery program is in the spotlight.
- An income test hasn't been ruled out. Asked about means-testing the battery and EV subsidies, the Prime Minister wouldn't rule it out.
- Deeper cuts are being drafted. The Australian Financial Review reports Treasury is preparing options to cut the scheme, including lowering the upfront rebate on each battery.
- Every minister has been told to find savings. The decisions are expected in the government's mid-year budget update.
- The opposition wants it gone. The Coalition has called for the scheme to be scrapped entirely.
None of these changes are confirmed yet. But when the Prime Minister won't rule something out during a savings drive, it's on the table.
What it could mean for you
If you earn more, you could lose the rebate altogether. An income test would cut households above a certain income out of the rebate. If that's you, the rebate you can claim today could be worth nothing next year.
If the rebate is cut, the same battery costs more. Around 600,000 Australian homes have already claimed it. A smaller rebate means you pay more out of pocket for exactly the same system.
And the 1 January drop is happening regardless. Even if nothing else changes, the rebate is already scheduled to fall on 1 January 2027.
Your rebate is set by your install date
This is the part most people miss. Your rebate is locked in on the day your battery is installed, not the day you sign, book or pay a deposit.
Book in December and get installed in January? You get January's rebate, and whatever changes come with it.
Install calendars fill fast in the lead-up to Christmas. The longer you wait, the less room there is to get installed in time.
What to do this week
- Get your quote now. Send us your latest power bill and we'll size the right system for your home.
- Lock in an install date before Christmas. Leave yourself a buffer. Don't aim for 31 December.
- Get installed under today's rules. Claim the current rebate before 1 January, and before any further changes are announced.
Don't wait for the announcement
By the time cuts are announced, everyone else will be trying to book in at once. The households that act now are the ones who'll lock in today's rebate.
Call Aussie Solar Batteries on
1800 975 270 today, or
request a quote online. Our team will get you a price fast and find you the earliest install date we have.
Frequently asked questions
Is the battery rebate being cut?
? It's already scheduled to drop on 1 January 2027. On top of that, the government hasn't ruled out an income test, and Treasury is reportedly drafting options to cut it further. Nothing beyond the 1 January drop has been confirmed yet.
When will we know?
Any further changes are expected in the government's mid-year budget update.
Will the rebate be means-tested?
The Prime Minister hasn't ruled it out. If it happens, higher-income households could lose access to the rebate.
Does booking now lock in today's rebate?
No. The rebate is set by your install date, not your booking or deposit date. You need to be installed before any change takes effect.
If I already have a quote, what should I do?
Lock in your install date now, and aim for well before Christmas so you're not caught by delays.
How much is the rebate worth right now?
It depends on your battery size. Call us on 1800 975 270 and we'll show you exactly what you'd get on your system today.
