Battery Rebates in New South Wales
What battery incentive programs are available in New South Wales?
There are two main ways South Australian households and businesses can access battery related rebates or savings.
Australian Government battery rebate
Households and businesses may be able to access an upfront battery rebate through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. This rebate is linked to installing a battery, usually alongside solar panels if you don’t have them already, and helps reduce the upfront cost.
PDRS Virtual Power Plant (VPP) rebate
You may also be able to get a rebate through the PDRS by connecting your battery to a Virtual Power Plant.
This involves allowing your battery to share energy with the grid at certain times, which helps support the electricity system and can provide additional savings.
Who receives the incentive money?
You do, the difference is how it’s applied.
Some rebates are given to you as an upfront discount, while others are provided as a cash rebate or credit after you apply.
For battery installation rebates, such as the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the incentive is usually applied upfront to the quote.
For the PDRS Virtual Power Plant rebate, the incentive is paid to you as a cash rebate after your online application has been approved.
In all cases, the value of the incentive goes to you. We’ll always explain how it works and when you’ll receive it before you go ahead.
What are the requirements to qualify for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?
To qualify for a battery discount under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, you’ll generally need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be installing a new, eligible battery system at your home
- The battery must be on the approved product list
- The battery must be installed by a qualified installer
- You’ll need to have solar panels installed at the property
- The installation must meet Australian standards and safety requirements
The discount is designed to support safe, high-quality battery installations that help households store energy and support the grid.
If you’re not sure whether your home, battery, or setup qualifies, we can help check this for you and explain your options before you decide.
Can I receive the Cheaper Home Batteries discount for a battery that is already installed?
No, the Cheaper Home Batteries discount is only for new battery installations completed after the program started.
However, this doesn’t mean your existing battery can’t receive a rebate.
If your battery is already installed, you may still be able to get a separate rebate for joining a Virtual Power Plant. The battery installation rebate and the VPP rebate are two different programs, with different rules.
If you’re unsure which one applies to your battery, we can help check and explain your options.
Can I receive the Cheaper Home Batteries discount if I am off-grid?
No. The scheme is designed to reduce demand on the electricity grid, so batteries that are completely off-grid are not eligible for these incentives.
How much discount can I receive for a battery installation?
The discount amount depends on the battery size but generally will work out to be around 30% for a range of batteries across different sizes.
Contact MAC Trade Services for specific details based on your circumstances.
What is the application process for battery incentives?
Contact MAC Trade Services to express interest. Our team will:
- Assess your eligibility
- Conduct a site assessment
- Provide a quote with the upfront discount applied
- Handle all paperwork and applications on your behalf
- Schedule and complete the installation
- Submit documentation to claim the discount on your behalf
Can I access the Cheaper Home Batteries discount more than once?
The Cheaper Home Batteries discount is only available once per property.
This means the discount can only be used:
- the first time a battery is installed at a property, or
- when a battery system is added to or replaced for the first time.
After that, the discount can’t be claimed again at the same address.
