Rebates & Incentives · QLD & NSW
Solar & Battery Rebates in QLD & NSW (2026)
An honest, plain-English guide to the incentives available in 2026 — what they are, how they work, and how to tell what you're eligible for.
1. The federal solar incentive (STCs)
The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme lowers the upfront cost of solar through small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Your system earns a number of certificates based on its size, your location and the years left until the scheme ends in 2030.
Based on a certificate value of $36, here's roughly what different system sizes earn in 2026:
- 6.6kW — around 45 certificates, an incentive of about $1,620
- 10kW — around 68 certificates, about $2,450
- 13.3kW (the largest standard single-phase system) — around 91 certificates, about $3,275
- It's almost always applied as an upfront point-of-sale discount — you don't claim anything back yourself.
- The certificate count steps down every January until the scheme ends in 2030, and certificate prices float with the market.
Figures are estimates based on a $36 certificate value and typical QLD/NSW zoning — the market price varies. Eligibility criteria apply, including using Clean Energy Council approved products and accredited installers.
Commercial systems
Businesses can access the same scheme. Systems up to 100kW of inverter capacity are eligible for STCs — and because panel arrays can be oversized above the inverter rating by up to about 33%, that allows for roughly 133kW of panels. The incentive is applied as an upfront discount in the same way:
- 30kW — around 205 certificates, an incentive of about $7,400
- 100kW — around 680 certificates, about $24,500
Above that threshold, systems fall under a different mechanism — large-scale generation certificates (LGCs), which work as ongoing credits rather than an upfront discount. Commercial figures are estimates only; we'll model your specific system as part of your quote. Read our commercial solar guide or visit the commercial solar page.
2. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program discounts eligible home battery systems installed by an accredited installer using a CEC-approved battery — around 30% off the cost of an eligible battery.
- As at May 2026, the discount is tiered — roughly $252 per usable kWh for the first 14kWh, reducing for larger systems.
- As a guide, that's an estimated saving of around $2,500 on a 10kWh battery — actual amounts depend on the battery and your eligibility.
- Like the solar incentive, the battery support steps down over time (the next reduction is scheduled for 1 January 2027).
Eligibility criteria apply. Figures are estimates current as at July 2026 and can change — we'll confirm what applies to your system in your quote.
3. Feed-in tariffs
When your system exports surplus power to the grid, your electricity retailer pays a feed-in tariff as a credit on your bill. Rates are set by retailers, vary between plans and states, and can change over time — so it's worth comparing what's on offer. Using more of your own solar during the day (self-consumption) generally beats exporting.
Want to see how the incentives apply to a system for your home? Request a free quote — we'll show you the full price with any incentive applied separately.
Related reading: what size solar system do I need? · battery storage.
Rebate Questions
Do I get the solar rebate as cash?
Not as a cash payment. The federal STC incentive is delivered as a point-of-sale discount — your installer claims the certificates and applies the value to reduce the upfront cost of your system. Eligibility criteria apply.
Is the solar incentive going away?
The federal STC scheme is gradually winding down — the number of certificates a system earns steps down each January until the scheme ends in 2030. It has not ended; it simply reduces a little each year.
Can I claim both the solar incentive and the battery rebate?
In many cases yes — the STC incentive applies to eligible solar systems, and the separate federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program discounts eligible batteries. Eligibility criteria apply to each; we'll explain what applies to your situation.
Is EFS Solar part of the government?
No. EFS Solar is a private CEC-certified installer and NETCC Approved Seller. We help you access government incentives you're eligible for, but we are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any government body.
About these figures: incentive figures are estimates current as at July 2026, based on the Clean Energy Regulator's STC framework and the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program (DCCEEW). They are general guidance, not a quote or financial advice — actual incentives, eligibility and savings vary by system, location and market conditions and can change over time. EFS Solar is not affiliated with any government body.