The short answer
If you see ads for the SA Home Battery Scheme - they are out of date. The scheme closed in 2023. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (launched 1 July 2025) replaces it with a larger rebate available nationally including in SA.
What was the SA Home Battery Scheme?
The SA Home Battery Scheme operated from 2018 to 2023. It provided subsidised access to home battery storage for South Australian residents, with a $100 million state government allocation. At its peak it offered:
- Up to $3,000 per battery (originally $6,000, reduced over time)
- Pre-approved installer list (system providers had to be on the approved roster)
- LFP chemistry preference
- Minimum 4kWh battery size
The scheme distributed its full $100 million allocation by mid-2023 and closed permanently. No further state battery funding has been announced as of May 2026.
What replaces it in 2026
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHB) launched on 1 July 2025. It is significantly larger than the old SA scheme:
- $2.3 billion initial federal funding, increased to $7.2 billion in May 2026 announcement
- ~$311 per usable kWh of battery (May 2026 value, reduces every 6 months)
- Available to all eligible Australian households, not just SA
- Not means tested
- One battery per electricity meter
For a 14kWh battery the federal program now offers ~$4,350 - more than the closed SA scheme offered.
How to claim the federal rebate
Same mechanism as the STC solar rebate:
- Choose a battery from the CEC Approved Product List
- Get quotes from CEC-accredited installers
- The installer claims STCs on your behalf
- The discount is applied upfront on your invoice
- You pay the post-rebate price
You do not apply to the government directly. Most installers display the rebate value clearly on quotes.