What is the federal STC rebate?
STCs — Small-scale Technology Certificates — are a federal incentive legislated under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000. Every CEC-accredited solar system installed in Australia generates STCs, and those STCs are tradable on a regulated market. In practice, your installer keeps the STCs in exchange for an upfront discount on your invoice — so you never have to claim anything, the rebate is just baked in.
The STC scheme is the largest single rebate available to Australian households for going solar. It applies in every state, on top of any state-specific rebates (NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, WA all have their own programs). The scheme phases out completely by 31 December 2030, with the rebate value stepping down roughly 1/15th every 1 January.
How much is the STC rebate worth?
The formula is straightforward:
STC rebate = system size (kW) × STC zone rating × years remaining × STC market price
As of 2026:
- System size — your inverter capacity in kW (typical residential: 6.6 kW)
- STC zone rating — 1.092 (Tasmania) to 1.622 (NT). See table below.
- Deeming years — 4 for 2026 installs. The scheme ends 31 December 2030, and the deeming period drops by one each 1 January.
- STC market price — usually $38–$39.90; capped at $40 in legislation
For a 6.6 kW system in Sydney (Zone 3, rating 1.382), the calculation is:
6.6 × 1.382 × 4 × $38 = $1386 off the invoice
STC zones by state
| State / territory | STC zone | Rating | Typical 6.6 kW rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Zone 3 | 1.382 | $1,386 |
| Victoria | Zone 4 | 1.185 | $1,189 |
| Queensland | Zone 2 | 1.382 | $1,386 |
| South Australia | Zone 3 | 1.382 | $1,386 |
| Western Australia | Zone 3 | 1.382 | $1,386 |
| Tasmania | Zone 4 | 1.092 | $1,095 |
| Australian Capital Territory | Zone 4 | 1.185 | $1,189 |
| Northern Territory | Zone 1 | 1.622 | $1,627 |
The January step-down (this is why timing matters)
The "deeming years" multiplier in the STC formula drops by one every 1 January. In 2026 it's 4. In 2027 it's 3. By 2030 it's 1. The scheme ends entirely on 31 December 2030.
Practically: today's $1,386 Sydney rebate becomes about $1,040 in January 2027, $693 in 2028, $347 in 2029, then nothing from 2030. That's roughly $347 of rebate value lost for every year you delay on a typical 6.6 kW Sydney installation.
How to claim the STC rebate
You don't need to file anything yourself. The process is:
- Choose a CEC-accredited installer. (We match you with one for free.)
- Sign the install contract. The STC discount is shown as a line item.
- Installation. Usually completed in a single day.
- Within 1–2 weeks, the installer registers the system with the Clean Energy Regulator and creates the STCs.
- The installer keeps (or sells) the STCs and your invoice reflects the discount already.
That's it. The only paperwork you handle is the install contract itself. If your installer ever asks you to file STC paperwork yourself, that's a red flag — they're not CEC-accredited or they're trying to charge full price and pocket the rebate.
STC rebate vs. state rebate vs. feed-in tariff
These three get confused all the time. Here's the difference:
| What it is | When you get it | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Federal STC rebate | Once, at point of sale (lower invoice) | $1,000–$1,650 on 6.6 kW (2026) |
| State rebate (varies) | Once, at point of sale (where applicable) | $1,300–$5,000 in active states |
| Feed-in tariff | Ongoing, in cents per kWh exported | $200–$500/yr typical |
Common questions
How much is the federal STC rebate worth in 2026?
For a typical 6.6 kW system installed in 2026, the STC rebate is worth roughly $1,000 to $1,650 depending on your STC zone. The calculation is: system size in kW × STC zone rating × 4 years deeming × the prevailing STC market price (around $38 per certificate). The deeming period is the number of full years until the scheme phases out on 31 December 2030.
What is an STC zone?
Australia is divided into four STC zones based on average solar irradiance (latitude-based). Zone 1 is the most generous (NT, far north QLD/WA — rating 1.622), Zone 4 is the least (Tasmania — rating 1.092). Your installer will know your zone based on your postcode.
When does the STC rebate step down?
On 1 January every year, until it phases out completely on 31 December 2030. Each January the 'deeming years' multiplier in the formula drops by one — from 4 in 2026 to 3 in 2027, 2 in 2028, 1 in 2029, and zero from 2030. A $1,386 Sydney rebate in 2026 is closer to $1,040 in 2027, $693 in 2028, then $347.
Do I claim the STC rebate myself?
No. Your CEC-accredited installer creates the STC certificates and either keeps them in exchange for the upfront discount on your invoice, or sells them on the STC market and passes the proceeds to you as a discount. Either way, you never have to fill in a form — the rebate just lowers your invoice.
Is the STC rebate the same as a solar feed-in tariff?
No — they're different things. The STC rebate is a one-off upfront discount on your system. A feed-in tariff is the ongoing per-kWh credit your retailer pays you for solar power you export to the grid. You get both, but the STC is by far the bigger ticket item.
What happens if I install in late 2026 versus early 2027?
The STC rebate is calculated on the date your system is registered with the Clean Energy Regulator, which is usually within a week of install. A system installed in November 2026 captures the full 4-year deeming and the 2026 rebate value. The same system installed in February 2027 captures only 3 years of deeming — roughly 25% less in dollar terms.