WA Electricity Rebates and Incentives 2026: Complete Guide

A lot of WA households are leaving money on the table without realising it. There isn't one combined rebate. Several separate incentives stack: the federal solar STCs (a point-of-sale discount that scales with system size), the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (around 30% off an eligible battery), the WA Residential Battery Scheme rebate ($130 per usable kWh, capped at $1,300 for Synergy customers), and an optional no-interest WA loan. The exact amounts depend on your system size and install date, because the federal STC component tapers every six months. Here's every incentive on offer right now, and how to make sure you actually claim it.

Federal solar rebate (STCs)

The biggest help with going solar is still the federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) program.

How it works

1. You install an eligible solar system.
2. Your installer registers STCs based on system size and location.
3. The rebate comes off as a point-of-sale discount.
4. You pay the reduced price.

Current STC values (2026)

| System size | Approximate STCs | Approximate value | |-------------|------------------|-------------------| | 5 kW | 34 | ~$1,357 | | 6.6 kW | 45 | ~$1,796 | | 10 kW | 69 | ~$2,753 | | 13.2 kW | 91 | ~$3,631 |

Modelled on Zone 3 (Perth metro), an STC price of ~$40, and the 5-year solar deeming period for a 2026 install. The deeming period drops by one year for each year you wait, until the scheme ends in 2030, so these values fall over time.

The timing that matters

• STC values shrink each year until 2030.
• The longer you wait, the smaller the rebate.
• 2026 is one of the last years the rebate is this generous.

Eligibility

To claim STCs, you need to:

• Use a Clean Energy Council accredited installer.
• Install CEC-approved panels and inverters.
• Have the system installed at an eligible premises.
• Have a grid connection or a genuine off-grid property.

Distributed energy buyback scheme (DEBS)

DEBS isn't a rebate, but it sets what you earn for the solar you export in WA, so it's worth understanding.

Current DEBS rates

| Time period | Export rate | |-------------|-------------| | 3pm – 9pm | 10c/kWh | | All other times | 2c/kWh |

Getting more from DEBS

The peak rate (3pm–9pm) is five times the off-peak rate, so the trick is to shift value into that window:

• Use timers to push heavy use into solar hours and keep grid imports down.
• Add a battery so you can store cheap midday solar and export it after 3pm.

Energy assistance payment (WA)

This is the WA Government's payment that helps with electricity costs.

The 2025/26 amount

• Amount: $342.85/year (from 1 July 2025; reviewed each financial year).
• Eligibility: Synergy residential customers.
• How you get it: Applied automatically as a credit to your bill.
• When: In July each year.

Every eligible Synergy residential customer gets the credit automatically. Check your July bill to see it applied.

Hardship utility grant scheme (HUGS)

HUGS is there for people who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Eligibility

• WA resident in financial hardship.
• Received a disconnection warning, or already disconnected.
• Unable to pay utility bills.

Grant amount

• Up to $750 for electricity.
• Up to $500 for gas.
• Once per 12-month period.

How to apply

1. Contact a financial counsellor.
2. Gather your supporting documents.
3. Apply through the Department of Communities.
4. The grant is paid directly to your utility account.

Household energy efficiency scheme (HEES)

Free energy assessments and improvements for eligible households.

What's included

• A home energy audit.
• LED light replacements.
• Draught-proofing.
• Basic insulation checks.
• Energy-saving recommendations.

Eligibility

• WA resident.
• Hold a Health Care Card, Pension Card, or similar.
• Homeowner or renter (with the landlord's permission).

How to apply

Contact the Department of Communities or check the HEES website for current availability.

Seniors Card benefits

WA Seniors Card holders get electricity discounts.

Benefits

• A cost-of-living rebate.
• Priority for some energy programs.
• Access to retailer discounts.

Eligibility

• WA resident.
• Aged 60+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
• Working fewer than 25 hours per week.

Energy concessions for cardholders

Several concession cards come with energy bill discounts.

Pension Concession Card holders

• An automatic discount on Synergy bills.
• Roughly $200–$300 in annual savings.
• Applied automatically once your card details are registered.

Health Care Card holders

• Similar benefits to the pension card.
• Register your card with Synergy.
• Discounts are applied to your bills.

DVA Gold Card holders

• Energy concessions are available.
• Register with your retailer.
• You may be able to access extra support programs.

WA climate action initiatives

These aren't direct rebates, but they support energy efficiency around the state.

Electric vehicle strategy

WA is investing in:

• Public charging infrastructure.
• EV education programs.
• Fleet electrification.
• Possible future incentives.

Household energy efficiency programs

Various programs may include:

• Subsidised energy audits.
• Appliance replacement schemes.
• Insulation support.
• Hot water system upgrades.

Check what's currently on offer through the WA Government.

Local council programs

Some Perth councils run their own support programs.

Examples

• City of Fremantle: solar bulk-buy programs.
• City of Perth: business energy efficiency.
• City of Stirling: community solar initiatives.

Contact your local council to see what's running now.

Synergy offers and programs

WA's main electricity retailer runs a few programs worth knowing about.

Easy Pay payment plan

• Spread your bills across fortnightly payments.
• No extra fees.
• Predictable budgeting.

Home Balance monitoring

• Energy monitoring.
• Usage alerts.
• Tips to bring your consumption down.

Demand Response events

• Participation payments.
• Cut your usage during peak events.
• Help keep the grid stable.

Future incentives to watch

A few programs may be worth keeping an eye on:

Battery rebates

Other states already offer battery incentives. WA may follow with:

• Point-of-sale discounts.
• Interest-free loans.
• Virtual power plant payments.

EV incentives

As EV adoption grows, possible incentives include:

• Registration discounts.
• Charging infrastructure support.
• Stamp duty reductions.

Heat pump rebates

Following Victoria's lead, WA may offer:

• Hot water heat pump rebates.
• Efficient air conditioning incentives.
• Appliance upgrade support.

How to get the most out of what's available

Step 1: Claim every rebate you qualify for

• Check whether you hold any concession cards.
• Make sure all the discounts are showing on your bills.
• Apply for hardship support if you need it.

Step 2: Go solar

• Lock in STCs while the values are high.
• Compare a few quotes.
• Choose quality over the cheapest price.

Step 3: Shift your usage

• Move consumption into solar hours.
• Export during the DEBS peak window (3pm–9pm).
• Use off-peak rates if your tariff offers them.

Step 4: Stay in the loop

• Sign up for BillWise updates.
• Follow WA Government energy announcements.
• Check for new programs every so often.

Getting help

Working out which rebates and support you qualify for can feel like a lot. Here's where to turn.

Financial counselling

Free services are available through:

• The Financial Counselling Network.
• Local community centres.
• Not-for-profit organisations.

Synergy support

• Call 13 13 53.
• Visit a Synergy shop.
• Use online chat support.

BillWise tools

• Analyse your bill to spot savings opportunities.
• Compare solar systems.
• Calculate potential savings.

Last updated: March 2026. Rebate values and program availability change over time — always confirm the current figures directly with providers and government agencies.

Want your own numbers? Check your rebate eligibility → to see every WA rebate you qualify for, then calculate your net cost → after incentives.