What changes to the battery rebate on 1 January 2027
Updated 29 October 2026
The Cheaper Home Batteries rebate gets smaller on 1 January 2027. It doesn't end. The certificate rate falls from 6.8 to 5.7 per kWh, and then keeps falling every six months until the program finishes at the end of 2030.
What it's worth
| Battery | Installed in 2026 | Installed Jan to Jun 2027 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh | $2,516 | $2,109 | $407 |
| 13.5 kWh | $3,367 | $2,812 | $555 |
| 20 kWh | $4,403 | $3,700 | $703 |
At $37 per certificate, using the size tiers that apply from 1 May 2026.
The install date is what counts
The rate is set by when the battery is installed and commissioned, not when you sign. Installers are busy before every step-down, so if you sign in December, ask for an install date in writing.
Real deadlines and made-up ones
The program steps down on 1 January and 1 July. A salesperson who says "the rebate drops on 1 January" is telling you something true. One who says the rebate ends, or names any other date, isn't. The Clean Energy Regulator has warned retailers that misleading claims get reported to fair trading regulators.
Should you rush?
For a typical battery the January drop is a few hundred dollars, a small share of the job. It's worth acting on if you were going to buy anyway. It isn't worth signing a quote you haven't checked.