Most Australian solar rebates work as an upfront discount rather than a cheque in the mail, and the value of these schemes changes over time. This page explains generally how they work — it does not guarantee any specific rebate amount.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme creates STCs for eligible solar installations, which installers typically claim on the customer's behalf and pass on as an upfront discount on the quoted price. The number of STCs a system earns depends on its size, location, and installation date.
State-based rebates and loans
Several states run additional rebate or interest-free loan programs on top of the federal scheme, with their own eligibility criteria and application processes, and these change fairly often as budgets are renewed or schemes close.
Checking current details
Because rebate values and eligibility rules change over time, always check current details directly on energy.gov.au or your state government's energy page, rather than relying on a figure quoted by an installer or in an older article.
Key takeaways
Rebates generally reduce the upfront cost rather than being paid out separately, and only installers accredited by the Clean Energy Council can typically pass on STC discounts — see our installer guide for what to check.