Western Australians are in a stronger position than many, because there is a state battery incentive as well as the national one. The key is to count each layer once and in the right order.
The arithmetic
Start with the federal rebate. In 2026 a 14 kWh battery earns about 95 STCs, worth roughly $3,600 to $3,800 at $38 to $40 each. A 10 kWh battery earns about 68 STCs, roughly $2,600 to $2,700. Next add the state rebate for your network area as set out in the current WA Government terms. The total is the combined support. Then subtract it from the installed price.
| Step | Source |
|---|---|
| Federal STC discount | Applied by your installer on the quote |
| WA state rebate | Per the current WA scheme rules for your area |
| VPP credit or bill benefit | Optional, from the operator |
| Net cost | Installed price minus all of the above |
Traps in the stack
The federal discount is certain once the battery is eligible and installed. The state part depends on funding and scheme conditions, which have changed. Do not accept a quote that assumes the state rebate without checking that it is open and that the battery and installer qualify.
Timing also differs. The federal factor falls on 1 January 2027, so the federal part drops about 16 per cent. If the state rebate is a fixed rate per kWh, the total shrinks by less than the federal part alone.
A budgeting habit that helps
Keep two columns on your budget: money that is certain at installation and money that depends on later events. The federal STC discount belongs in the first column. State rebates that require an application, and VPP credits that depend on contracts, belong in the second until the money arrives.
What this means for you
Use the WA scheme page and your network operator for the state number, and our battery STC pillar for the federal one. See the WA scheme overview and how much a battery costs after the rebate. How it works explains how installers convert STCs to your upfront discount.