Quick answer: three things changed in 2026. The federal STC solar rebate shrinks a little each year as the deeming period drops (now 5 years, down 1 year every January until the scheme ends in 2030). The federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate, which launched in July 2025, stepped down on 1 May 2026 and now pays a tiered rate. And most state schemes have closed, leaving the federal rebates doing the heavy lifting.
The pattern is simple: rebates are worth the most today and get smaller over time. Here's every change that matters and what it means. Last updated July 2026.
The 2026 changes at a glance
The STC solar rebate step-down
The federal STC rebate (the one that takes $1,600 to $2,200 off a 6.6kW system) is tied to a deeming period: the years of future solar generation you can claim upfront. That number drops by one every January until the scheme ends on 31 December 2030.
In 2026 it's 5 years. In 2027 it'll be 4. Each drop knocks roughly $130 to $180 off the rebate for a typical 6.6kW system. So the same system is a little cheaper to buy this year than next.
Calculate your STC rebate now
30 secs · Free · No obligationCheaper Home Batteries: the 1 May 2026 change
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries program launched on 1 July 2025 and paid a flat rate at first. On 1 May 2026 it moved to a tiered rate, so bigger batteries get a smaller rate on the top end.
A 10 kWh battery gets about $2,700 off. The rate steps down again over the next few years, so installing sooner locks in more.
State schemes: what closed and what's left
Most state solar and battery schemes have wound up, leaving the federal rebates as the main support. Here's where each state stands in 2026.
Check what you qualify for in your state
30 secs · Free · No obligationWhat it means for you
Rebates only get smaller from here. The STC drops every January, the battery rebate steps down every few months, and closed state schemes aren't coming back.
So the rebate you can claim today is the biggest it will be. If solar or a battery is on your list, the maths favours doing it sooner rather than waiting for a better deal that isn't coming.
Frequently asked questions
Steve Hill
Steve Hill is a renewable-energy executive with a deep background in Australian solar and energy efficiency, spanning consulting, project management and business development. He founded Elite Smart Energy Solutions, a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer focused on smarter, lower-cost energy for homes and businesses. Steve contributes to Energy Matters, one of Australia's longest-running solar publications, and has appeared on its Road to Zero podcast. He helps Australian homeowners cut through the noise on rebates, batteries and going solar.
