What battery schemes can you use in Queensland?
| Scheme | Status | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Cheaper Home Batteries Program (federal) | Open to 31 December 2030 | The first 14 kWh earn $272 each; above that the rate falls to 60%, then 15% |
| Queensland Battery Booster | Closed | No state battery rebate open |
Source: Queensland Battery Booster.
Queensland's battery rebate for 2026
Queensland stopped its own battery rebate, so the federal discount is the one that counts, and it comes straight off your quote. The payment works through certificates. These are credits a battery earns based on how much energy it can hold, and each one sells for as much as $40.
On 1 January 2027 the discount drops again, so the same battery will cost you more. Get a quote now and you'll see this year's price with the discount already subtracted.
What happened to the Battery Booster?
The state's Battery Booster Program gave as much as $3,000, or $4,000 where a household met an income cap, toward a battery put in alongside solar. It stopped taking new applications in May 2024, and nothing has replaced it or been announced since.
What you get, depending on the battery and when it goes in
| Battery size | Installed by 31 Dec 2026 | From 1 Jan 2027 | From 1 Jul 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4 kWh battery | $1,720 | $1,440 | $1,320 |
| 10 kWh battery | $2,720 | $2,280 | $2,080 |
| 13.5 kWh battery | $3,640 | $3,040 | $2,800 |
| 15 kWh battery | $3,960 | $3,320 | $3,000 |
| 20 kWh battery | $4,760 | $4,000 | $3,640 |
| 30 kWh battery | $6,160 | $5,160 | $4,720 |
Typical installed prices after the federal discount are $7,000 to $11,000 for a 10 kWh battery and $14,000 to $19,000 for a 20 kWh battery. The discounts in the table use $40 per certificate. Certificates trade for about $37 to $40 on the open market, so the discount on your quote can differ.
Does your battery qualify for the federal discount?
Your battery is eligible when all of these conditions are met:
- It goes in alongside solar panels, either new or existing, and isn't charged only from the grid.
- The install date is 1 July 2025 or later.
- It's listed among the batteries the Clean Energy Council has approved.
- If your battery is connected to the grid, it must be able to join a virtual power plant, which is a network of household batteries. You don't have to join one to get the discount.
- The installer holds Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation with a battery endorsement, which shows they're approved to fit home batteries.
- No other battery at your address is claiming the discount.
Your battery must also be 5 to 100 kWh in size, and the discount covers only the first 50 kWh of usable storage.
Getting the discount on your quote
There's no government application for you to fill out. Here's all it takes:
- Send the short form so accredited installers near you can prepare quotes.
- Look over the quotes, which come with the discount already subtracted.
- Sign a form letting your installer take the certificates.
- The installer lodges and sells them, and you simply pay the reduced price.
Common questions
Will the discount keep getting smaller?
The rate went down in May 2026 and will keep dropping every 6 months. On 31 December 2030 the program finishes, and by then a 10 kWh battery would earn just $840.
Does Queensland offer a government rebate on solar batteries?
Not from the state any more. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is what's left, and it takes roughly 30% off an eligible battery.
Are new solar panels discounted as well?
Yes, panels generate their own certificates. A Brisbane 6.6 kW system earns around $1,800 when put in during 2026, and $1,440 the year after.
Can Queensland homes join a virtual power plant?
There's no state-run program. Some retailers across the Energex and Ergon areas operate their own.