Policy risk is a real cost for installers who stock batteries and sign long sales pipelines. This page keeps to facts that can be checked and flags what is reported.
What Labor promised and delivered
Labor took the Cheaper Home Batteries Program to the 2025 federal election and started it on 1 July 2025. It gives STCs for batteries of 5 to 100 kWh usable, up to 50 kWh eligible, for CEC-approved, VPP-capable batteries installed by an accredited installer, one per property, with new or existing solar.
The program has changed since:
- The factor steps every six months: 9.3 (Jul to Dec 2025), 8.4 (Jan to Apr 2026), 6.8 (May to Dec 2026), 5.7 (Jan to Jun 2027), 5.2 (Jul to Dec 2027), continuing down to 2030.
- Since 1 May 2026, tiers apply: first 14 kWh at 100% of the factor, 14 to 28 kWh at 60% and 28 to 50 kWh at 15%.
- Evidence rules for photos tightened from 1 March 2026.
- As reported, the program budget expanded from $2.3bn to $7.2bn.
So the promise was delivered, but at a lower per-kWh value than at launch. See the 2027 cut and the end date.
The Coalition
The Coalition has criticised the program as benefiting wealthier households and, as reported, has not committed to retaining it. Recent coverage also describes Coalition energy policy updates in September 2026, but we have not verified specifics, so check the party’s own statements. Opposition positions can change before an election and are not law.
The Greens
The Greens support household batteries and have pushed for storage and manufacturing, while criticising the government’s wider coal and gas approvals as undermining the battery plan. Their position concerns the broader energy policy rather than the program’s removal.
What it means for installers
- Quote on current law. Use the factor in force on the installation date, not an expectation. See which date counts.
- Avoid long open-ended price promises. Put an expiry on quotes, because the factor falls on 1 January and 1 July.
- Expect demand surges before steps. Customers rush before a drop. See the installer pipeline plan.
- Watch for rule changes. The regulator and the department publish updates. The Cheaper Home Batteries guide for installers is kept current.
What this means for you
Election rhetoric is not a reason to hold off installing or to oversell urgency. Run the numbers in the battery STC calculator, and pick a trader who locks the rate on lodgement. See battery STCs, pricing and the scheme changes overview.