The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is written around a battery system, a premises and an owner. Apartments strain all three terms. The scheme does not exclude apartment owners, but the building often does.
Can apartment owners get the battery rebate
A lot owner can claim if they own the battery system, the installation meets AS/NZS 5139 and the product is CEC listed and VPP-capable. The hurdles are practical:
- Approval. The owners corporation or body corporate usually must approve anything fixed to common property, which can include the wall of a garage or balcony.
- Location. AS/NZS 5139 restricts where batteries can be installed, with clearances from exits, windows and habitable rooms. Many apartments do not have a compliant spot.
- Metering. If the building is an embedded network, with one parent meter and private sub-meters, the owner may not have their own grid connection. See embedded networks.
- Solar. The battery works with new or existing solar. An apartment with no rooftop solar of its own gets less value.
Strata battery rebate: common property vs lot
Two different projects get lumped together:
| Lot battery | Common property battery | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Individual lot owner | Owners corporation |
| Approval | By-law or resolution | Special or ordinary resolution |
| Connection | The lot’s own meter | The common property meter |
| Eligibility question | One battery per premises | Whether it is its own premises and a qualifying system |
For common property, the building’s common-area meter might count as its own premises, but we would want written confirmation from the regulator or the trader before committing the owners corporation to a purchase.
Body corporate solar battery rebate
A body corporate considering a battery for lighting, lifts and pumps is closer to a small commercial buyer. Capacity between 5 and 100 kWh is eligible, with STCs calculated on up to 50 kWh. See battery size limits and businesses and the rebate.
In New South Wales, a Peak Demand Reduction Scheme category for shared apartment batteries has been reported from September 2026. Treat the specifics as reported and read the scheme’s official page, and see the NSW battery incentive.
What this means for installers
For a strata job collect the approval, the site plan showing AS/NZS 5139 clearances, the NMI and the owner’s details. The battery submission guide covers evidence, and SAA battery accreditation covers who may install.
What this means for apartment owners
Start with the body corporate, not the quote. If you get approval and a compliant location, the discount is calculated like any other; use the battery STC calculator. More on the program at battery STCs. Installers can see pricing or start trading.