The Albanese Labor Government has unveiled a bold plan to deliver one million home batteries by 2030 as part of a $2.3 billion investment aimed at cutting energy bills by up to 90 per cent for Australian households, small businesses, and community facilities.
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program, set to roll out from 1 July 2025, will reduce the cost of a typical installed home battery by 30 per cent – saving households around $4,000 on installation. The program will be delivered through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which has successfully supported solar subsidies since 2011.
According to an analysis by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, households with existing rooftop solar could save up to $1,100 annually. Those installing solar and battery systems could see savings of up to $2,300 a year – slashing as much as 90 per cent off an average family electricity bill.
The scheme is designed to help Australians store excess solar power for use later, reducing reliance on the grid and allowing households to take control of their energy usage and costs.
While one in three Australian homes currently has rooftop solar, only one in forty has a battery. Labor’s plan aims to bridge this gap, improving energy resilience and reducing peak demand – which in turn is expected to drive down prices across the grid.
Small businesses and community facilities will also be eligible for subsidies, with support available for batteries up to 50 kWh in size and installations of up to 100 kWh qualifying for assistance.
The battery program forms part of a wider package under Labor’s clean energy and cost-of-living agenda, including:
- Additional $150 in direct energy bill relief for every household and around one million small businesses from 1 July;
- A $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund, offering low-cost finance for energy-efficient home improvements and appliances;
- An $800 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative to cut bills and improve comfort for social housing tenants;
- A $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund, supporting improvements such as efficient lighting and battery storage at libraries, sporting grounds, and community centres.
The Albanese Government says its plan stands in contrast to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s proposal for a $600 billion nuclear energy rollout, which Labor claims would raise household energy bills by up to $1,200.
This $2.3 billion battery initiative was included in the 2025-26 Federal Budget, based on analysis from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water prior to the current caretaker period.
Labour is confident the plan will make energy cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable – giving Australians a better deal on power.