WA electricity rebates and incentives 2026: complete guide

There isn't one combined WA electricity rebate: several separate incentives stack on top of each other, and most households don't claim all of them. Going solar gets you the federal STC discount (a point-of-sale deduction that scales with system size). Adding a battery layers the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program on top, plus the WA Residential Battery Scheme worth up to $1,300, plus an optional interest-free WA loan. On top of that sit separate concession, hardship, and efficiency programs that have nothing to do with solar at all.

A 10kW solar system installed in 2026 gets roughly $2,753 off at point of sale. Add a 10kWh battery and you're looking at around $2,713 from the federal battery rebate plus $1,300 from the WA scheme: about $4,013 off the battery alone. The exact numbers depend on your system size and install date, because the federal STC value tapers every six months. Here's every incentive on offer right now, and how to make sure you actually claim it.

How much do I get back from the federal solar rebate?

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.

How many STCs will I get for my system size?

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. For the full year-by-year breakdown of how much smaller the rebate gets before then, see how much you lose by waiting.

Why does timing matter?

STC values shrink every year until 2030: the longer you wait, the smaller the rebate. 2026 is one of the last years the rebate is this generous. For a full walkthrough of how the certificate math works, see the STC solar rebate explained.

Who's eligible?

To claim STCs, you need to:

• Use an SAA-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.

How much does the federal battery rebate save me?

The federal government's battery-specific rebate works similarly to the solar STC scheme: your installer registers Small-scale Technology Certificates generated by the battery installation and deducts the value from your invoice.

How much is it worth?

• Around $2,713 off a 10kWh battery at current STC prices for the second half of 2026.
• Applied at point of sale, no paperwork for you.
• The per-kWh value steps down over time as the certificate deeming factor reduces, so the sooner you install, the more you get.

Who's eligible?

• Eligible battery on the Clean Energy Regulator's approved product list.
• Installed by an SAA-accredited installer.
• Grid-connected property.

Combined with WA's state battery rebate below, net battery costs are close to the lowest they've been since the federal program started.

What's the WA Battery Scheme worth on top of the federal rebate?

WA's own battery rebate is for Synergy customers, and it's currently open and accepting applications.

How much is it worth?

• $130/kWh of usable battery capacity.
• Maximum: $1,300 (10kWh cap).
• Interest-free loans up to $10,000 for eligible households (income cap $210,000).

For a 10kWh battery, that's $1,300 off the installed price, on top of the federal rebate above. For the full application walkthrough, see how to claim your WA Battery Scheme rebate.

Who's eligible?

• Western Australian resident.
• Property owner (owned outright or mortgaged).
• Property connected to the SWIS grid (Synergy customer).
• Battery installed on or after 1 July 2025.
• Battery paired with an inverter approved for DER Storage on Synergy's Supported Solutions List (SSL).
• Enrolment in Synergy's Battery Rewards virtual power plant for a minimum two years. Your battery shares some of its stored energy with the grid at peak times in exchange for the rebate. See how Synergy Battery Rewards VPP pays you for what that actually involves.

Tesla Powerwall 3's integrated inverter isn't approved for DER Storage on the SSL, so it earns the federal STC rebate above but not this state one. For Tesla Powerwall 2, Sungrow, BYD, Alpha ESS, Enphase IQ Battery, and most other batteries, the SSL is really a list of approved inverters rather than battery brands: eligibility comes down to whether the specific inverter paired with your battery is on the list, not the battery brand itself. The list changes as new products are approved, so check the current SSL for your exact battery-and-inverter combination before you commit.

How do I claim it?

Apply via Synergy after installation. You'll need a battery paired with an SSL-approved inverter installed first, then submit your application along with proof of purchase and installation. Processing times vary, so confirm the current turnaround with Synergy when you apply.

Compare eligible batteries →

What do I get paid for solar I export in WA?

The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) isn't a rebate, but it sets what you earn for the solar you export in WA, so it's worth understanding.

What are the current DEBS rates?

How do I get more from DEBS?

The peak rate (3pm to 9pm) is five times the off-peak rate, so the trick is shifting 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.

See our full DEBS strategy guide for more ways to work the tariff.

What is the WA Energy Assistance Payment?

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

How much is it worth?

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

Check your July bill to confirm the credit has been applied.

What help is available if I can't pay my energy bill?

The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) is there for people who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Who's eligible?

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

How much can I get?

• Up to $640 per financial year, capped at 85% of your outstanding account balance.
• Covers your electricity and gas account together, there's no separate cap per fuel type.

How do I 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.

Can I get a free home energy assessment?

The Household Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) offers 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.

Who's eligible?

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

How do I apply?

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

What electricity discounts come with a WA Seniors Card?

WA Seniors Card holders get electricity discounts.

What do I get?

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

Who's eligible?

• WA resident.
• Aged 65 and over.
• Working fewer than 25 hours per week.

What concessions apply if I hold a Pension, Health Care, or DVA card?

Several concession cards come with energy bill discounts. For the full rundown across every card type, see our complete WA energy concessions guide.

Pension Concession Card holders

• An automatic discount on your Synergy electricity bill.
• The exact amount depends on your usage and tariff.
• Applied automatically once your card details are registered with Synergy.

Health Care Card holders

• Similar benefits to the Pension Concession 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.

If you're on a low fixed income and considering solar as well as concessions, see solar options for pensioners and low-income households.

Does my local council run its own solar or energy program?

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.

What extra support does Synergy offer?

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.

What new rebates might arrive later in 2026?

EV incentives

As EV adoption grows, WA may expand:

• Registration discounts.
• Charging infrastructure support.
• Stamp duty concessions for eligible vehicles.

Heat pump rebates

WA may follow other states with:

• Hot water heat pump rebates.
• Efficient air conditioning incentives.

How do I stack every rebate I'm eligible for?

Step 1: Stack the rebates you qualify for

• Solar: Federal STCs deducted at point of sale.
• Battery: Federal battery rebate, plus WA Battery Scheme ($1,300), plus interest-free loan, all stackable.
• Concessions: Check your cards are registered with Synergy for automatic credits.

Step 2: Go solar first

STCs shrink every year, so installing in 2026 locks in a larger rebate than waiting. Solar is also the foundation that makes batteries and EVs financially viable.

Step 3: Add a battery

The combined federal and state rebate is close to a record high right now. A 10kWh battery nets around $4,013 off installed cost: roughly $2,713 from the federal rebate plus $1,300 from the WA scheme.

Step 4: Shift your usage

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

Where can I get help working out what I qualify for?

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.

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

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