The battery package announced by the Federal Government is a huge win for millions of Australians who can now slash their power bills for good and save with batteries, as well as solar.

There will also be positive flow-on effects for all households. The package will help one million homes to capture the excess solar energy they have generated during the day and use it at night. This will take pressure off our national energy network during peak times and reduce two major drivers of high power prices right now: ageing, unreliable coal-fired power stations and expensive gas.

Renew Australia for All also welcomes the inclusion of community facilities, which will support local communities by helping the spaces they rely on to cut their bills with batteries.

Now more work is needed to ensure everyone - including renters, apartment dwellers and low income households - are not left behind. We need greater support for solar and efficiency upgrades so everyone can be in healthy homes that are more affordable to heat and cool.

Renew Australia for All – an alliance of more than 70 organisations – has been calling for an immediate $5 billion investment to help those most in need access rooftop solar, batteries, electrification and efficiency improvements so they can take back control of their energy bills now and for good.

If every household in Australia were able to access efficient and electric upgrades, as well as solar and batteries, the total national savings would amount to $23.6 billion annually.

Renew Australia for All has previously welcomed the government’s commitment of $500 million to expand the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI), funding home energy upgrades for an additional 50,000 public and community housing units. These upgrades will provide permanent relief to tenants, cutting their power bills by approximately $1,800 per year.

Heidi Lee Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, Solar Citizens said

This federal rebate to make home batteries cheaper will ease the cost of living for millions of Australians for decades to come. More home batteries will help stabilise the energy grid, and make energy cheaper for all Australians enabling us to replace aging, expensive, polluting coal and unhealthy gas power with 24/7 home solar energy. This is good, sensible economic policy that concretely builds on the proven long-term success of the home solar rebate, and will help create a safer climate.

We look forward to further support to ensure those locked out of home solar also gain access to the benefits of clean renewable energy.

Nic Seton, Chief Executive Officer, Parents for Climate said

This is exactly what families need right now—real solutions that cut energy bills and help to keep homes safe in summer and warm in winter. As climate impacts hit harder, parents are looking for control, stability, and a safe future for their kids.

Batteries are a game-changer for household energy independence. But this must be just the start—every family, no matter their postcode or income, deserves access to clean, reliable energy.

John Grimes, Chief Executive Officer, Smart Energy Council said

The policy is the most important development in consumer energy for households and industry since Australians first gained access to solar panels. This policy will literally help millions of Australians permanently reduce their energy bills.

Less demand on the grid means fewer price peaks, a win win for all.

Michele O’Neil, ACTU President said

An extra 1 million batteries for households, communities and small businesses will put downward pressure on power prices for everyone. Today’s announcement is a significant and welcome missing piece of the puzzle to support investments in cheaper rooftop solar, batteries and energy upgrades for social and community housing that will cut power bills for tenants and home owners.

Jacqui Mumford, CEO of Nature Conservation Council NSW said

Australians facing rising costs of energy and increasing climate disasters can breathe a sigh of relief. Today's announcement will help households bring down their energy bills at a much needed time. People want government investment that is good for their hip pocket, and good for the climate.

Pairing batteries with renewable power is good for both. We commend the government announcement as an important step toward grid reliability, affordability and a clean energy future.

Dave Copeman, Director of Queensland Conservation Council said

This announcement combines cost of living relief with real reform. These incentives to install home batteries will shrink Queenslanders' power bills and mean we’ll be more self-sufficient when the next flood or disaster strikes.

It will also reduce the climate pollution that fuels these disasters. It’s a win for Queenslanders and the climate.

Jono La Nauze, CEO of Environment Victoria said

Gas prices have tripled and Victorians understand they are never going back down. That’s why so many of us are already embracing all-electric homes with solar and batteries.

Many more want to take part, if only better support was available to manage the upfront cost. That’s what makes today’s announcement so significant. The investment announced by the government will be dwarfed by the returns seen by households and the broader economy.

Diana Olmos, Community Organiser Sydney Alliance said

At our Assembly on March 13 in Westmead, communities across Sydney came together to call for climate solutions that don’t leave anyone behind. A battery subsidy is a welcome step—but to truly deliver energy justice, it must be accessible to renters, social housing residents, and those in apartments.

Homeowners from CALD communities will need support to navigate the access to these benefits. We urge all levels of government to ensure these programs are equitable, so every household—no matter their income or postcode—can benefit from clean, affordable energy.

Alice Salomon, Head of Advocacy, Uniting NSW.ACT, said

The Cheaper Home Battery package announced by the Federal Government is welcome news for millions of Australian households, and a win for the climate. It is great to see this commitment from the Federal Government, this will allow millions of households to have more control of their power bills.

We see every day the tough choices people are having to make between putting food on the table or paying an energy bill. To fully unlock the benefits of the clean energy switch in all our homes, governments must ensure all households have equal access to the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, said

This announcement is a great step towards ensuring that all Australians can benefit from a mix of affordable, clean, and reliable energy.

Anything that reduces power prices for Australians and stops big energy companies price gouging is welcome. We know everyone is impacted by climate change but not everyone is impacted equally.

We call on all governments to expand this announcement to ensure every household, especially those experiencing disadvantage, can participate in the shift to clean energy. We need to make sure that no one is left behind in this transition.