Australian households are entering the new financial year with several important changes affecting solar, batteries, electric vehicles (EVs), electrification, and energy bills. Some incentives remain available. Others have become more targeted. Several states have introduced new programs, while eligibility changes may mean some households no longer qualify for support they could have accessed just weeks ago. Whether you’re considering rooftop solar, battery storage, an EV charger, a heat pump hot water system, or a broader home electrification project, here’s what you need to know from 1 July 2026.
Key changes at a glance
| Area | Change from 1 July 2026 | Impact |
| Federal | Solar Sharer Offer begins | Free daytime electricity plans available in NSW, SA, and SE QLD |
| Federal | New Default Market Offer pricing | Electricity prices change across DMO regions |
| Federal | Energy Bill Relief Fund ends | No new universal household bill credits announced |
| Federal | Battery rebate continues | Upfront discounts remain available through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program |
| VIC | Solar Homes income cap reduced to $150,000 | Fewer households qualify for rebates |
| VIC | Battery loans remain closed | Federal rebate now the primary battery incentive |
| NSW | Home Energy Saver Program launches | Interest-free loans for solar, batteries, and electrification |
| NSW | VPP incentives continue | Additional support available for battery owners |
| QLD | Solar for Renters remains available | Landlords can access solar rebates |
| WA | Battery rebate and loan scheme continues | Significant battery support remains available |
| NT | Battery and apartment solar programs continue | Ongoing grants for households and multi-dwelling buildings |
| Australia-wide | EV FBT exemption remains | Significant tax savings continue for eligible EVs |
Federal changes from 1 July
Solar Sharer Offer launches
One of the biggest energy retail changes in years arrives on 1 July 2026.
The Australian Energy Regulator has introduced the Solar Sharer Offer, requiring retailers in Default Market Offer regions to make plans available that include three free hours of daytime electricity.1
The free period varies by region:
- NSW and South East Queensland: 11am to 2pm
- South Australia: 12pm to 3pm
For households with EVs, batteries, pool pumps, heat pump hot water systems, or flexible daytime usage, these plans could deliver meaningful savings.
However, homeowners should compare plans carefully. Free electricity periods may be offset by higher rates at other times of the day. The Solar Sharer Offer is not automatically the cheapest option for every household.
Electricity prices change
The Australian Energy Regulator’s 2026-27 Default Market Offer also takes effect on 1 July 2026.2
Residential standing offer customers will generally see:
- NSW decreases of 3.4% to 7.7%
- South East Queensland decreases of 7.2% to 10.7%
- South Australia changes ranging from a 1.1% decrease to a 1.4% increase
While most Australians are on market offers rather than standing offers, the DMO acts as an important benchmark for electricity pricing.
Energy bill relief ends
The Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund concluded on 31 December 2025.3
No replacement universal household bill relief has been announced for FY2026-27. This means households should not expect automatic energy bill credits unless new support measures are introduced.
Federal battery rebate continues
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program remains one of Australia’s most significant renewable energy incentives.4
Available through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), the program provides an upfront discount on eligible battery systems installed alongside new or existing solar.
For most households, the discount is approximately 30% of the battery cost, although actual savings vary depending on battery size and system design.
Battery support remains available nationwide from 1 July 2026. The rebate available will reduce from 1 January 2027.
Solar rebates will reduce again in 2027
While not a July change, households considering solar should keep an eye on the calendar.
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme continues to phase down annually, meaning the value of solar rebates will reduce again from 1 January 2027.5
For homeowners planning solar within the next year, bringing forward an installation could result in a larger rebate.
Victoria: Changes from 1 July
Solar Homes income eligibility reduced
Victoria’s biggest renewable energy change takes effect on 1 July 2026.
The Solar Homes household income threshold has been reduced from $210,000 to $150,000 combined taxable income.6
The change affects eligibility for:
- Solar panel rebates
- Solar hot water rebates
- Heat pump hot water rebates
- Rental property solar rebates
Households earning between $150,000 and $210,000 that previously qualified for assistance are no longer eligible from 1 July 2026.
Battery loans remain unavailable
Victoria’s interest-free battery loan program remains closed following the exhaustion of available funding.7
Victorian households can still access the Federal Government’s battery rebate, but state battery loans are no longer available.
Solar for Apartments continues
Victoria continues to lead the nation in apartment solar support.
The Solar for Apartments Program provides rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment, capped at $140,000 per building.8
The program helps apartment residents access shared rooftop solar systems that would otherwise be difficult to install.
New South Wales: Changes from 1 July
Home Energy Saver Program launches
The NSW Government has introduced the Home Energy Saver Program, one of the country’s most substantial home electrification initiatives.9
Eligible owner-occupiers and landlords with a combined household income of up to $210,000 can access:
- Zero-interest loans of up to $15,000
- Repayment periods of up to 10 years
Eligible upgrades include:
- Solar systems
- Home batteries
- Heat pump hot water systems
- Reverse-cycle air conditioning
- Insulation
- Draught proofing
- Ceiling fans
- Switchboard upgrades
Additional discounts coming later in 2026
Alongside the loan program, NSW plans to introduce discounts of up to $4,000 for eligible lower-income households and concession card holders.
These discounts are expected later in 2026.
VPP incentives remain available
NSW households can continue to access incentives for connecting eligible battery systems to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).10
These incentives can be combined with the Federal Government’s battery rebate, further reducing the cost of battery ownership.
Queensland: Changes from 1 July
Solar for Renters continues
Queensland’s Supercharged Solar for Renters Program remains available.11
Eligible landlords can access rebates of up to $3,500 to install solar systems on rental properties, helping renters benefit from lower electricity costs while improving property efficiency.
A reminder for 44c feed-in tariff households
Queensland’s legacy 44c Solar Bonus Scheme remains available to eligible participants until 2028.12
However, homeowners should exercise caution before modifying their solar systems, changing account details, or making battery upgrades, as certain changes can affect eligibility.
South Australia: Changes from 1 July
Solar Sharer Offer available
South Australian households with smart meters can access Solar Sharer plans from 1 July 2026, providing free electricity between 12pm and 3pm.
The plans may suit households with EV charging, battery charging, or significant daytime consumption.
New EV charger compliance requirements
From 1 July 2026, new compliance requirements apply to certain EV charging equipment installed in South Australia.13
The changes primarily affect advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers and DC charging equipment.
Homeowners considering V2G technology should ensure any proposed equipment meets current South Australian requirements.
Western Australia: Changes from 1 July
Battery rebates and loans remain available
Western Australia’s Residential Battery Scheme continues to provide some of the strongest battery support in the country.14
Eligible households can access:
- Battery rebates
- Interest-free loans
- Additional support when combined with the Federal Government’s battery rebate
For some households, combined state and federal support can significantly reduce battery installation costs.
Australian Capital Territory
Sustainable Household Scheme continues
The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme remains available in 2026.15
Eligible households can access low-interest loans for:
- Solar systems
- Batteries
- EV chargers
- Insulation
- Heating and cooling
- Hot water systems
No major changes to the scheme have been announced from 1 July 2026.
Northern Territory: Changes from 1 July
Battery grants continue
The Northern Territory Home and Business Battery Scheme remains one of Australia’s most generous battery incentive programs.16
Eligible households can access grants of up to $12,000 towards battery storage installations.
Solar support for apartment buildings continues
The Solar for Multi Dwellings Grant Scheme remains available, helping apartment buildings and unit complexes install shared solar systems and battery storage.17
Electric vehicles: Changes from 1 July
FBT exemption remains a major incentive
The Federal Government’s Fringe Benefits Tax exemption continues to be one of Australia’s most valuable EV incentives.18
Eligible EVs purchased through salary packaging or employer arrangements can deliver substantial tax savings.
However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles generally no longer qualify under the exemption rules introduced in 2025, unless transitional arrangements apply.19
What should households do now?
If you’re considering solar, batteries, EV charging, or electrification upgrades, now is a good time to review available incentives.
In particular:
- Victorian households should confirm Solar Homes eligibility before proceeding.
- NSW households should investigate the new Home Energy Saver Program.
- Battery buyers should ensure they understand both federal and state incentives.
- EV owners should compare Solar Sharer plans against traditional electricity plans.
- Apartment residents should investigate shared solar opportunities available in their state.
The ever-changing incentive landscape
The renewable energy landscape continues to evolve rapidly.
The biggest winners from 1 July 2026 are likely to be households taking advantage of the Federal Government’s battery rebate, NSW’s new Home Energy Saver Program, and emerging electricity plans designed around abundant daytime solar generation.
At the same time, tighter eligibility requirements in Victoria mean some households will miss out on support they could have accessed previously.
As always, the best outcome comes from understanding which incentives apply before signing a contract. A little research today could save thousands tomorrow.
- Australian Energy Regulator, Solar Sharer Offer Fact Sheet
︎ - Australian Energy Regulator, Default Market Offer 2026-27 Final Determination ︎
- Australian Government, Energy Bill Relief Fund ︎
- Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Cheaper Home Batteries Program ︎
- Clean Energy Regulator, Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme ︎
- Solar Victoria, Solar Homes Program Continuing to Provide Targeted Assistance ︎
- Solar Victoria, Solar Battery Loan Program ︎
- Solar Victoria, Solar for Apartments Program ︎
- NSW Government, Home Energy Saver Program ︎
- NSW Government, Virtual Power Plants Program ︎
- Queensland Government, Supercharged Solar for Renters ︎
- Queensland Government, Solar Bonus Scheme ︎
- South Australian Government, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Standards ︎
- WA Government, Residential Battery Scheme ︎
- ACT Government, Sustainable Household Scheme ︎
- Northern Territory Government, Home and Business Battery Scheme ︎
- Northern Territory Government, Solar for Multi Dwellings Grant Scheme ︎
- Australian Taxation Office, Electric Cars Exemption ︎
- Australian Taxation Office, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle FBT Changes ︎
The post Every Solar, Battery and EV Incentive Change From 1 July 2026 appeared first on Energy Matters.
