The Federal and Western Australian governments are joining forces to enable more Western Australian households to store the renewable energy they generate at home with an expansion of the state’s first battery rebate scheme.
In combination, the Western Australian Government’s $337 million WA Residential Battery Scheme and the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries program are expected to benefit more than 100,000 households across the state – around five times more than originally proposed under the State Government’s scheme.
Synergy customers are eligible to receive up to $5000 and Horizon Power customers are eligible for up to $7500 as part of the joint effort to ensure more households are supported to invest in household batteries.
In another Western Australian first, an estimated four in five households will also be eligible to receive no-interest loans to put towards the upfront cost of buying a household battery, with households with incomes of less than $210,000 per annum to be given access to loans of up to $10,000.
In line with its commitment in the 2025 election, the Western Australian Government said no-interest loans worth a total of $200 million are available.
Batteries installed through these programs are expected to help play a vital role in securing the state’s energy future, with households to be paid feed-in tariffs to share their renewable power as part of virtual power plants (VPPs).
Through VPPs, households can sell energy stored in their battery back to the market, helping to decarbonise Western Australia and bolster energy security, while offering financial benefits through above-average feed-in tariffs.
Applications for the rebates and no-interest loans are on track to open on 1 July 2025.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said Western Australia’s household solar uptake is world leading, and getting more batteries soaking up our sunshine will be good for bills and good for the grid.
“It means more West Aussies will have access to cheap, fast and safe solar energy in their homes and businesses night or day, when they need it,” he said.
“And now working with the State Government, we’re making sure a record number of homes, small businesses, schools and community facilities here in Western Australia can slash their bills too.”
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said the State Government is committed to securing the state’s energy future and growing its renewables sector.
“Empowering households to play a role in decarbonising our state by selling their excess renewable energy back to the grid, while supporting the energy needs of the entire community, is a great example of how we can work together to secure our energy future,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to see the Federal Government work with my government to expand the WA Household Battery Rebate so it can now benefit around 100,000 households – ensuring it potentially reaches five times as many families than under the state-only scheme.”
Mr Cook said this will do more than lower emissions.
“It may also support local battery manufacturing, which is crucial to my vision for a future that’s Made in Western Australia. Not only that, it will provide households the opportunity to secure the state’s energy future and earn financial benefits for doing so.
“We know Western Australia’s booming economy and growing population means we will need an affordable and secure supply of energy going forward – and the WA Household Battery Rebate will mean households play a central role in meeting that need.”
Western Australian Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Amber-Jade Sanderson, said, “We are excited to be working with Federal Government to make household batteries affordable for even more Western Australians.”
Ms Sanderson said households are expected to save up to $1500 per year through installing a battery and solar panels.
“Combined with help with the upfront costs through our no-interest loan, and even more potential savings through a VPP, our scheme means huge benefits for households,” she said.
“Importantly, it will support our renewable energy transition. At the forefront of new solutions, these batteries will bolster our energy grids and increase the share of renewables.”
