{"id":91821,"date":"2025-05-05T05:47:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T20:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=91821"},"modified":"2025-05-05T16:56:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:26:24","slug":"home-electrification-labor-mb3173","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/home-electrification-labor-mb3173\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Election Home Electrification: Solar Batteries And Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Australian<\/p>\n

Democracy sausages have been devoured, ballots cast and (mostly) counted, and the people have spoken. Discover what’s ahead for home electrification support in Australia under another round of Labor.<\/p>\n

Cheaper Home Batteries Are Go<\/h2>\n

The home solar battery scene is Australia is about to get very, very busy.<\/p>\n

Early last month<\/a>, Labor announced a government rebate for home batteries<\/a> should it be returned to office. Operating under the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), the Cheaper Home Batteries program<\/a> will initially provide an up-front discount of around $3701<\/a><\/sup> per kilowatt-hour useable capacity (minus admin fees and charges) for eligible home batteries attached to either new or existing solar installations.<\/p>\n

The good news is batteries installed since the April announcement will be eligible for the rebate (assuming other criteria is met), as long as they aren’t switched on before July 1<\/a> – the official start date for the scheme. There should also be the ability to “stack” the rebate with state home battery incentives<\/a>, but there is some devil in the detail<\/a> that still needs to be worked through.<\/p>\n

According to the Clean Energy Council, around 186,000 home battery systems<\/a> had been installed across Australia by the end of 2024. Labor expects more than one million new batteries will be installed by 2030.<\/p>\n

The program will put downward pressure on power bills for everyone, not just households installing solar panels<\/a> and a battery. This will be achieved through reducing grid demand at peak times when wholesale electricity pricing is most expensive.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the federal government battery rebate<\/a> – we’ll be updating that page with the latest information as it becomes available. We’ll also soon publish an SQ view on the best batteries to get with the rebate; so stay tuned<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Minister

Energy Minister Chris Bowen promoting Labor’s Cheaper Home Batteries program<\/p><\/div>\n

More Investment Cash For The CEFC<\/h2>\n

The re-elected Albanese Government has also previously committed to a $2 billion expansion of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.<\/p>\n

The $2 billion is earmarked for the CEFC’s General Portfolio, which includes renewable energy generation and storage, electric vehicles and infrastructure investments, along with capital for the CEFC’s asset finance programs providing discounted finance to households, business and farmers.<\/p>\n

More Support For SHEPI<\/h2>\n

Another $500 million for Labor’s Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI<\/a>), bringing investment to a total $800 million. SHEPI’s focus is on reducing energy bills and emissions for social housing tenants through upgrades such as shading and insulation, energy efficient appliances, solar panels and batteries.<\/p>\n

National Vehicle Emissions Standard Enforcement<\/h2>\n

Effective from July 1, 2025, compliance requirements will be enforced by the NVES Regulator, which will begin issuing penalties to manufacturers breaching the standard. The goal of the NVES<\/a> is to improve the choice of new fuel-efficient, low or zero emissions cars (primarily electric vehicles) in Australia and slash the nation’s transport emissions. Increased availability is also putting downward pressure on EV prices.<\/p>\n

Australia was among the last OECD countries (Russia the other) without mandatory vehicle emission standards, a situation that saw us being a dumping ground for high-emissions vehicles.<\/p>\n

EV Fringe Benefits Tax Breaks<\/h2>\n

Existing Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions for EVs<\/a>, allowing Australians to lease an eligible EV through their employer without paying the tax, will remain.\u00a0This incentive can also apply to EV home charger<\/a> equipment purchase and installation depending on leasing arrangements.<\/p>\n

National Licensing Scheme For Electricians<\/h2>\n

In Budget 2025\u201326, $900 million was earmarked for the National Productivity Fund to drive National Competition Policy (NCP) framework reforms including harmonising electrical licenses across Australia<\/a>. This will allow electrical workers to work across states instead of needing to apply for separate licences and pay additional fees.<\/p>\n

Beyond Home Electrification<\/h2>\n

Among other energy-related Labor programs to continue are:<\/p>\n