The Battery Booster program closed to new conditional approval applications on 8 May 2024.
After receiving a conditional approval letter, householders will still have up to 90 days to install their conditionally approved battery system and claim the rebate.
The Battery Booster program rebate will help you better manage your electricity use and save on your energy bills.
Installing a home battery system might not make financial sense for all households. Learn more about battery systems to understand whether it’s right for you and plan the right battery system for your home.
If a solar battery system is right for you, the Battery Booster program may be able to assist with the upfront cost.
Eligible Queenslanders must receive a conditional approval letter from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) before purchasing and installing a new battery system under the Battery Booster rebate program.
The program is now closed for new applications for conditional approval.
Scam alert
We are aware of phone calls and websites by third parties about the Battery Booster program that are fraudulent or misleading.
Always make sure you read about Queensland energy rebates on a legitimate Queensland Government website that includes qld.gov.au in its web address. We do not make unsolicited phone calls about energy rebate programs.
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The Queensland Government’s Battery Booster program is open for eligible households across Queensland.
Eligible householders have the opportunity to apply for a rebate of up to $4,000 towards the installation of an approved solar battery by an approved installer to use with a new or existing rooftop solar system that is 5kW or greater.
All information about the program is on the Queensland Government’s Battery Booster website. On this website, you can find lists of approved installers and approved battery systems.
Please be sure to check these lists and eligibility requirements before getting a quote on your new battery system.
There are a limited number of rebates available and conditional approval is required as the first step.
The full application process is on the website so you can look this up.
Importantly, safety is a priority of the program and that's why the government aims to inspect all systems installed under the program to ensure compliance with the relevant standards.
The Queensland Government is supporting renewable and sustainable energy through this program to help maximise the energy from home solar panels and, importantly, reduce household energy bills.
Homeowners who have applied for conditional approval
The rebate is available to eligible Queensland homeowners with a combined household income of less than $180,000 and who meet all eligibility criteria.
There is a higher rebate amount to help low-income households even further.
Only 1 rebate is available per residential premises. Applications will be processed in the order they are lodged.
Standard rebate
A rebate up to $3,000 is available for applicants with an income of less than $180,000 for the most recently ended financial year.
If the applicant has a spouse, the combined income of the applicant and the applicant’s spouse must not have exceeded $180,000 for the most recently ended financial year.
Low-income rebate
A rebate of up to $4,000 is available for households where the highest income earner earned $66,667 or less for the most recently ended financial year.
Eligibility
Applicants must have applied for and received a conditional approval letter from QRIDA before having an approved battery system installed under this rebate program.
To be eligible for the rebate, you must meet the following criteria:
Be the owner of the Queensland residential property where the system will be installed—whether it’s a house, community lot (e.g. townhouse or retirement village home) or granny flat. The property can be mortgaged, but you need to be the registered owner.
Have a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system with a minimum 5kW system capacity. If you don’t already have solar PV installed, you can add a new system as part of your approved battery system purchase and installation.
Use an approved battery system from the Approved Battery System list—includes approved battery systems with a capacity of 6kWh or larger. Some systems may require multiple battery units to qualify as an approved battery system.
Use an approved installer from the Approved Installer list to install the approved battery system—the installer must be on the Approved Installer list on the date of installation. If an approved installer provides the quote they must also be on the Approved Installer list on the date the quote is issued. If the quote is provided by a retailer, it is recommended that the quote includes the name, address and ABN of the approved installer who will carry out the installation.
Obtain a quote and purchase the system on or after 12 February 2024.
Meet the income requirement—that is, have a combined taxable household income below $180,000.
Agree to a safety inspection of the installation, to be performed by a government-appointed inspector.
To be eligible for a rebate, the new battery system installed at your home must be on the Department of Energy and Climate's (the department's) Approved Battery Systems list.
Some individual battery units on the approved battery systems list have a unit capacity under 6kWh. If you intend to purchase and install multiple battery units, the new approved battery system must, in combination, have a capacity of 6kWh or greater to be eligible.
You can purchase an approved battery system to add to an existing system. Ensure that the systems are compatible. The additional battery capacity being installed must be 6kWh or greater to be eligible. The specific system of batteries and the associated inverter model (if applicable) must be listed on the approved battery systems list.
Approved installers
Safety is a priority for the program, along with quality and ensuring technical standards are met. Installers must meet minimum licensing, accreditation and training requirements before they are eligible to supply under the Battery Booster program.
To be eligible for a rebate, your approved battery system must be installed by an installer on the Approved Installer list.
It is your responsibility to check that the installer is still on the approved installer list on the day your system is installed, or you risk no longer being eligible for the rebate.
Note: Eligible households can receive conditional approval for a rebate using a quote for an approved battery system from a retailer who is not an approved installer. However, to be eligible for a rebate, the approved battery system must be installed by an approved installer.
How to apply
It is the homeowner's responsibility to apply for this rebate, not the business selling or installing the approved battery system.
The application process has 2 stages:
Conditional approval—the program is now closed for new applications for conditional approval.
Rebate approval—once your conditionally approved battery system has been installed and paid for, you can submit your invoice to receive your rebate payment. Note that you will have to demonstrate that you still meet all eligibility requirements.
Stage 1—Conditional approval and installation
The program is now closed for new applications for conditional approval.
To be eligible for the rebate, you must receive a conditional approval letter from QRIDA before your approved battery system is installed.
This conditional approval confirms you have met the eligibility criteria before you commit to purchase and payment of an approved battery system.
You should always seek multiple quotes and do your own research before making a significant purchase decision.
Note: Due to high interest in the program, assessment and response times vary. If you have not heard from QRIDA within 3 weeks, you may wish to seek an update from QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (existing applications only).
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To be eligible for a rebate, you must provide a quote from an approved installer or a retailer of approved battery systems.
However, to be eligible for a rebate, you must have the approved battery system installed by an approved installer.
Retailers of approved battery systems do not need to register to be an approved installer.
You should always seek multiple quotes and do your own research before making a significant purchase decision.
What to include on the quote
Name, address and ABN of the business issuing the quote
If the quote is issued by an installer, the installer must be listed on the Approved Installer list on the date the quote was issued.
If the quote is provided by a retailer, it is recommended that the quote include the name, address and ABN of the approved installer who will carry out the installation.
Customer name and address where the approved battery system will be installed.
Brand, model and capacity of the approved batteries and inverters (combined system) to be installed. For modular batteries, include the number of batteries being purchased and installed to confirm the new approved battery modules have a total capacity of 6kWh or more, and include the make and model of the new or existing inverter if applicable, as the combined system must be listed on the Approved Battery Systems list.
Size (kW) of the rooftop solar PV system that will be connected to the approved battery system.
If the approved battery system will be on-grid or standalone
Total cost of purchase and installation of the approved battery system.
Quote issue date—must be on or after 12 February 2024.
You must submit your application to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) for assessment.
There are 3 ways to access the QRIDA application portal:
Use your myGovID details to log in. myGovID is the Australian Government’s digital identity app, which you can use to sign in to a range of online services like myGov. Learn more or register for a MyGovID account. (Note: Your myGovID is not the same as your myGov account, where you can access government services like Medicare and the ATO).
Register without myGovID. You don’t need a myGovID account to participate in the Battery Booster program, but you will need to provide evidence of your identity. You can use the ‘New/existing user’ option.
Use your existing QRIDA account. If you already have a QRIDA account, you can use the ‘New/Existing user’ option and upgrade to myGovID.
As the Battery Booster rebate is for homeowners only, ‘myGovID for business’ will not be an option.
To apply for conditional approval, you will need to provide:
quote as outlined in step 1
proof of home ownership (rates notice, contract of sale, or building contract)
evidence of taxable income in the form of notice(s) of assessment from the Australian Tax Office for the most recently ended financial year. If applying for the
standard rebate ($3,000), supply notice(s) for yourself and, if applicable, your spouse, showing the combined taxable household income does not exceed $180,000
low-income rebate ($4,000), supply notice for the highest income earner, showing the taxable income does not exceed $66,667.
Note: Due to high interest in the program, assessment and response times vary. If you have not heard from QRIDA within 3 weeks, you may wish to seek an update from QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (existing applications only).
QRIDA will assess your application and notify you of the outcome.
Note: Due to high interest in the program, assessment and response times vary. If you have not heard from QRIDA within 3 weeks, you may wish to seek an update from QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (for existing applications only).
Once you have received a conditional approval letter from QRIDA, organise an installation date and time with your approved installer or retailer.
The approved battery system must be installed by an approved installer within 90 days of the date on your conditional approval letter (or 120 days under specific circumstances).
It is your responsibility to check that the installer is still on the Approved Installer list on the day your system is installed.
Your rebate will be declined if the installer is no longer an approved installer. This is a critical safety aspect of the program.
Please note that battery system installations require other distribution network connection approvals separate to this rebate program, which may take up a portion of the 90-day claim time. Talk to your installer about this. If timing issues arise with a conditionally approved installation, please contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (for existing applications only)
After receiving conditional approval, and having the approved battery system installed, you must pay for the approved battery system in full before you will be eligible to claim a rebate.
Payment may be made through finance provided you submit documentation to the satisfaction of QRIDA, to demonstrate the invoice has been paid.
To be able to claim a rebate under the Battery Booster program, make sure you have an invoice to support your rebate claim.
What eligible invoice must include:
Name, address and ABN of the approved installer that installed the approved battery system — must be listed on the approved installers list on date of the installation.
Your name and address where the approved battery system was installed.
Brand, model and capacity of the approved battery system installed. For modular batteries, include the number of batteries purchased and installed to confirm that approved battery system has a total capacity of 6kWh or more, and evidence of the make and model of the new or existing inverter (if applicable).
Serial number of the approved battery.
Size (kW) of the rooftop solar PV system that is connected to the approved battery system.
Name and electrical worker licence number of the electrician who installed the approved battery system.
If the system is on-grid or standalone.
Total cost of purchase and installation of the battery system.
invoice for installation—make sure it contains all elements outlined in step 5
proof of home ownership (rates notice, contract of sale, building contract or other evidence to the satisfaction of QRIDA to demonstrate ownership of the residential premises)
evidence of income in the form of notice(s) of assessment from the Australian Tax Office for the most recently ended financial year. If applying for the
standard rebate ($3,000), supply notice(s) for yourself and, if applicable, your spouse, showing the combined taxable household income is $180,000 or less.
low-income rebate ($4,000), supply notice for the highest income earner, showing the taxable income is $66,667 or less.
If you meet all eligibility criteria, you will receive a notification letter from QRIDA advising that your rebate has been approved.
Note: Due to high interest in the program, assessment and response times vary. If you have not heard from QRIDA within 3 weeks, you may wish to seek an update from QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (for existing applications only).
Once you have been notified that your application has been approved, the rebate will be paid into your nominated bank account.
Quality assurance—safety and compliance inspections
The department has appointed Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty Ltd (GSES) as the official inspectorate for the Battery Booster program. The main aim of the inspections is to confirm that the systems are safe and to improve industry standards by endorsing installations that follow the best practices.
The inspectorate will conduct solar and battery storage compliance inspections on installed approved battery systems at no cost to customers. When applying for the rebate, you would have been asked to agree to this free safety inspection.
Scheduling inspections
Once you have received your rebate, the inspectorate will contact you to schedule a free and comprehensive inspection of your approved battery system. This inspection will also include a safety check of your rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
The inspectorate will contact all recipients of the rebate to schedule a suitable date and time to visit. However, due to the high interest in the program, your inspection may not happen straightaway.
Inspections have started and the department expects that they will be arranging more of them through 2024 and into the start of 2025.
Note: If you have a battery storage system which did not receive a Battery Booster rebate, you may wish to have an independent inspection conducted at your own expense. We cannot make recommendations regarding independent inspectors.
