Portable power stations, the plug-and-play units sold for camping, caravans and blackout backup, sit outside the program for several reasons. Any one of them is enough to rule a unit out.
Why they are not eligible
- Not permanently installed. The program is for systems fixed at a premises. The regulator expects a battery to remain installed until after 2030 or the end of its warranty, whichever is later, at the time of writing.
- Not on the CEC battery list. Eligibility depends on a CEC listing, which requires the independent test evidence for stationary energy storage. Most portable units have not been through that process for the list.
- Too small. Many hold 0.3 to 3 kWh. The minimum is 5 kWh usable.
- No accredited installer. The rebate requires installation by an SAA accredited installer to AS/NZS 5139. A unit you carry home and plug in is not installed in that sense.
What about a bigger portable unit
Larger “portable” systems of 5 kWh or more, or modular units that can be wall-mounted, are blurring the line. The question to ask is whether the specific model is on the CEC battery list and whether an accredited installer will install it permanently. If both answers are yes, it is a home battery with a handle, not a portable power station. If either answer is no, no STCs.
Caravans, vans and tiny homes
A battery in a vehicle is not a premises installation. See battery rebate for caravans and tiny homes for the grey area.
It is also worth separating rebates from other support. Some state programs and retailer offers have supported backup or small storage differently from the federal STC discount. Check each scheme’s official page rather than assuming the federal exclusion applies everywhere, but do not count on a portable unit earning STCs.
If you are unsure, the quickest test is the CEC battery list: search the exact model. No listing means no discount, regardless of what the box or the retailer’s page says. Do that before paying a deposit.
What this means for installers
Do not claim on a unit just because the customer owns it and wants it wired in. Product eligibility comes first. See battery product eligibility and the battery submission guide.
What this means for homeowners
If you want backup power for a few appliances, a portable unit is a purchase at full price. If you want whole-home storage with a discount, you need a listed, installed battery; use the battery STC calculator to see the discount. The overview is at battery STCs.
Installers can see rates on pricing or start trading.