The federal rebates (they apply in the ACT too)
Whatever the ACT offers sits on top of two national rebates that every Australian home gets.
Solar panels — the STC discount. The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme knocks money off your panels through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Your installer claims them and applies the value as an upfront discount, so you never touch a certificate. It shrinks a little every January and ends in 2030.
Batteries — the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (BSTCs). Since July 2025 a second federal rebate takes roughly 30% off an installed battery, run through the same certificate system. From 1 May 2026 it’s tiered by size: the first 14 kWh of usable capacity earns the full rate, 14–28 kWh earns 60%, and 28–50 kWh earns 15%. It steps down every six months from 2027 and ends in 2030. On-grid batteries must be on the approved list and VPP-capable.
What the ACT adds on top
Sustainable Household Scheme — low-interest loan. The ACT offers a 3% loan of $2,000–$15,000 over up to 10 years, with no upfront fees and no penalty for paying it off early, that you can put toward a battery and most home-electrification upgrades. The cap rises to $20,000 from 1 July 2026. Note that rooftop solar panels are no longer covered by the standard loan, though batteries are. You’ll need to attend a short energy workshop as part of applying.
Home Energy Support program (concession-card holders). If you hold a Pensioner Concession, DVA Gold or Health Care Card, you can get rebates of 50% up to $2,500 for rooftop solar and another 50% up to $2,500 for an eligible upgrade, plus a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000 — up to $15,000 of support in total.
All of this stacks on top of the federal solar and battery rebates.
Feed-in tariff
The ACT doesn’t mandate a minimum feed-in tariff — your retailer sets the rate, so compare current offers.
Bottom line
The ACT’s strength is cheap finance: a low-interest loan that makes a battery easy to fund, plus generous rebates if you hold a concession card — all on top of the federal rebates.
