Labor to deliver one million energy bill busting batteries

ANTHONY ALBANESE MP
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

CHRIS BOWEN MP
MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY


A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make batteries cheaper, slashing energy bills for households, small businesses and community facilities by up to 90 per cent.

We will roll out our $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program from 1 July 2025 reducing the cost of a typical installed battery by 30 per cent – with over one million new batteries expected by 2030.

Analysis by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water shows a household with existing rooftop solar could save up to $1,100 off their power bill every year, and a household installing a new solar and a battery system could save up to $2,300 a year – up to 90 per cent of a typical family electricity bill.

This will help households reduce reliance on the grid – and take back control of their power bill.

There have been four million rooftop solar installations across Australia. One in three Australian households now have solar – but only one in forty households have a battery.

Through our scheme, households will be able to purchase a typical battery with a 30 per cent discount on installed costs – saving around $4000 on a typical battery.

The battery will be installed at home and store power from solar panels for the household to use when needed.

The discount will be delivered through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme – the same program that has successfully and safely been delivering solar subsidies since 2011.

It will help push down peak demand with fewer homes needing to be on the grid at one time, pushing down prices for everyone.

Small businesses and community facilities will also be able to access the subsidy, with support for up to 50 kWh of batteries sized up to 100 kWh eligible.

This is part of Labor's plan for households and businesses to benefit from cheaper, cleaner power:

  • More Direct Energy Bill Relief: an additional $150 direct energy bill relief for every household and around one million small businesses from July 1.
  • $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund: provides existing low-cost finance options to reduce up-front costs to assist people to upgrade their homes with modern energy efficient appliances and other energy efficient improvements.
  • $800 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative: to reduce energy bills for people in social housing, keep homes more liveable all year round and lower emissions.
  • $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund: supporting energy upgrades at community facilities, cutting emissions and driving down bills – such as upgrading energy-efficient lighting and battery storage at sporting fields, libraries and community centres.

Labor's plan is in stark contrast to Peter Dutton, who will cut critical services to pay for his $600 billion nuclear plan, driving up household energy bills by up to $1,200.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water provided analysis to the Government before the caretaker period commenced. This $2.3 billion investment is a decision of government reflected in the 2025-26 Budget.
 
SUNDAY, 6 APRIL 2025