WA Residential Battery Scheme: Rebates, VPP & Loans Explained (2025)
An in-depth guide to the WA Residential Battery Scheme for Perth homeowners, covering state rebates, federal top‑up, VPP participation, no‑interest loans, and how to apply.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Scheme
The WA Residential Battery Scheme launched on 1 July 2025 to accelerate the uptake of home energy storage across Western Australia. By combining state rebates with the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (which provides a ~30% discount on upfront battery costs), homeowners can achieve a total discount of approximately 40–55% on typical 10 kWh systems. The scheme targets up to 100,000 installations, adding around 1 GWh of distributed storage to the grid.
State Rebate Details
The state rebate is tiered by utility provider:
- Synergy (metro WA): $130 per kWh, up to 10 kWh → max $1,300.
- Horizon Power (regional WA): $380 per kWh, up to 10 kWh → max $3,800.
How it works: Accredited installers submit the rebate claim after installation. The rebate is applied as a direct discount on your final invoice—no rebate paperwork for you to handle.
Technical requirements: Systems must have ≥5 kWh usable capacity, be VPP‑capable, equipped with a compatible inverter (on Synergy/Horizon lists), and maintain an internet connection for monitoring and dispatch signals.
Federal Top-Up Support
The Commonwealth’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides roughly a 30% discount on the installed cost of batteries (5–100 kWh). This federal discount stacks with the WA rebate—so a 10 kWh system can receive up to $5,000 total (Synergy) or $7,500 total (Horizon). Together, these incentives yield a combined reduction in upfront cost of about 40–55%, depending on your utility area.
Virtual Power Plant Requirement
All participants must enrol their battery in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). A VPP:
- Aggregates home batteries into a single controllable resource.
- Delivers grid services like frequency control and peak‑shaving within seconds.
- Earns export payments or bill credits (often ~6 ¢/kWh) when batteries discharge during peak events.
Customer benefit: Additional revenue of several hundred dollars per year, tracked via an app. Grid benefit: Smoother demand curves, deferred investment in peaking plants, and enhanced reliability.
No-Interest Loan Option
An optional, 0% interest loan of $2,001–$10,000 is available for households with gross income under $210,000. Managed by Plenti, loans run 3–10 years with no fees or security required—helping cover remaining costs for batteries, inverters, or additional solar panels when installed together.
Example: A $6,000 loan over 7 years costs ~$71/month at 0% versus ~$90/month at a typical 5% loan rate.
Cost Breakdown & Savings
Typical Perth home estimates:
| Size (kWh) | Installed Cost | WA Rebate | Federal Discount (~30%) | Net Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | $7,000 | $650 / $1,900 | $2,100 | $4,250 / $2,950 | $400–$600 |
| 10 kWh | $12,000 | $1,300 / $3,800 | $3,600 | $7,100 / $4,600 | $800–$1,200 |
| 13.5 kWh | $16,000 | $1,300 / $3,800 | $4,800 | $9,900 / $7,400 | $1,100–$1,500 |
| Net costs reflect a ~30% federal discount plus the WA rebate; actual figures depend on installer fees and equipment. | |||||
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility: ≥18 years, permanent resident, Synergy/Horizon customer, WA property with internet, agree to join a VPP.
- Read Consumer Protection guidance for solar/battery purchases.
- Get quotes from approved vendors (they handle rebates and VPP enrolment).
- Installer lodges claims – rebates and federal discounts apply to your invoice post‑installation.
- Complete loan application (optional): Plenti contacts you to finalise and disburse the 0% loan.
For full details and accredited vendor lists, visit wa.gov.au/BatteryScheme or email batteryrebate@deed.wa.gov.au.
For more information on the scheme, visit WA Residential Battery Scheme – Information for Applicants.