Rebates & incentives

Rebates explained, without the sales spin

Solar and battery incentives in Australia are certificate-based, capacity-dependent and time-sensitive. Here's how they actually work, so you can read any quote — ours or someone else's — with confidence.

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The federal schemes

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (solar)

Eligible rooftop solar systems up to 100kW create STCs based on system size, location and deeming period. The certificate value is typically assigned to your installer and deducted from the up-front price. This scheme is legislated to end in 2030, with the deeming period shortening each year — which is why the same system attracts fewer certificates over time.

Cheaper Home Batteries Program (batteries)

Since July 2025, eligible batteries from 5kWh to 100kWh can create STCs, delivering a discount of around 30% off the installed cost. Batteries must be new, installed with a new or existing solar system, on the approved product list, and installed by accredited installers. The Clean Energy Regulator administers eligibility — not us.

How we present rebates on a quote. Every Astrion quote shows the full system price, the certificate discount applied as a separate line, and the net amount payable. We do not advertise a "free" or "government-paid" system, and we do not inflate a headline price so a discount looks larger. If your certificate assignment is rejected for a reason within our control, we bear it — not you.

Common questions

Is the battery rebate paid to me as cash?: No. Eligible systems create small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Most customers assign their right to create those certificates to a registered agent in exchange for an up-front discount on the purchase price. That discount is shown as a separate line on your quote so you can see exactly what has been applied.
How much is the battery discount?: The Australian Government describes the Cheaper Home Batteries Program as delivering a discount of around 30% on the up-front cost of eligible battery systems between 5kWh and 100kWh. The exact amount depends on your battery's usable capacity, the current STC factor and the certificate market price on the day, so we calculate it for your specific system.
What changed on 1 May 2026?: The STC factor for batteries now steps down every six months and at a higher rate, and it tapers by capacity: 100% for the first 14kWh of usable capacity, 60% for capacity above 14kWh up to 28kWh, and 15% for capacity above 28kWh up to 50kWh. This is designed to hold the discount near 30% as battery prices fall.
Does the rebate depend on when I sign or when it's installed?: The installation date determines the certificates, not the contract date. We will not promise you a pre-change certificate value that our schedule cannot deliver, and your quote states the assumed installation window and what happens to the price if the STC factor changes before then.
Can I get the battery discount if I already have solar?: Yes — eligible batteries can be added to a new or existing solar PV system. Only one battery system per premises is eligible for certificates (per NMI or commercial sub-meter for grid-connected sites).
What about state programs?: Programs in NSW, the ACT and Victoria change frequently, and some cannot be combined with each other or with the federal discount. We check what is open and what you are eligible for at the time of quoting, and we show the current published terms rather than a rebate figure from an old campaign.

Scheme information on this page reflects publicly available guidance from the Clean Energy Regulator and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water as at August 2026. Scheme rules, STC factors and state programs change; always confirm current eligibility with the relevant administrator or ask us for the position on the day you receive your quote. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Want your exact certificate discount calculated?

Send us your postcode and the battery capacity you're considering. We'll show the current STC factor, the tapering that applies and the net price.

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