What is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a national subsidy scheme designed to accelerate the uptake of household battery storage in Australia. Spearheaded by the Smart Energy Council and supported by a range of experts and industry stakeholders, the initiative aims to reduce the upfront cost of home batteries, enabling more Australians to store solar energy generated during the day for use at night.
The program will mirror the success of rooftop solar subsidies, delivering longer-term cost-of-living relief and energy resilience for households, while helping to decarbonise the electricity grid and reduce pressure on peak demand.
Why the Cheaper Home Batteries Program matters!
Maximising solar savings
With solar feed-in tariffs plummeting to as low as 1 cent per kWh, batteries allow households to self-consume their solar energy and avoid buying power at peak rates—saving up to $1,100 a year.
Reducing emissions
Batteries enable households to rely less on fossil-fuel-powered grid electricity in the evenings, cutting carbon emissions and supporting Australia’s climate goals.
Economic impact
If 1 million batteries are installed by 2030, Australian households could collectively save more than $19 billion, according to Smart Energy Council modelling.
Energy equity
Targeted subsidies would help renters, low-income households and apartment dwellers access clean energy, making the transition more inclusive.
Grid resilience
By time-shifting solar energy to evening peaks, home batteries reduce stress on the electricity network and help lower wholesale power prices for all consumers.
How the program works?
The power of rooftop solar and batteries: big savings for aussie households
“The Cheaper Home Batteries Program will not only slash power bills for 10 million Australians with solar but also ensure all Australians are at least $1.3 billion better off in 2030 through reduced wholesale electricity costs”.
John Grimes
Chief Executive Smart Energy Council
Are you a battery installer?
Register here to receive updates on program implementation and tips on how you can prepare your business.