From 1 July 2026, the rules for the Victorian solar panel rebate changed. The most significant change is a reduction in the income eligibility threshold. Households with a combined income between $150,000 and $210,000 are no longer eligible.
The program is still active and continues unchanged for households earning $150,000 or less. If you want to know whether you qualify, this article explains what changed, what stayed the same, and what the current program conditions look like.
The short answer
- Combined income of $150,000 or less — you remain eligible for the rebate.
- Combined income of $150,001–$210,000 — no longer eligible from 1 July 2026.
- The rebate value is unchanged — up to $1,400, plus an optional $1,400 interest-free loan.
- The program structure stays the same — only who qualifies has changed.
$150,000
Combined income or less to stay eligible from 1 July 2026
$1,400
Rebate value, unchanged — plus an optional matching interest-free loan
$210,000
Old upper limit — households earning $150,001–$210,000 are now removed
What Is the Victorian Solar Panel Rebate?
The solar panel (PV) rebate is part of the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program, administered by Solar Victoria. It offers eligible owner-occupiers up to $1,400 toward the cost of installing a rooftop solar system. An optional interest-free loan of up to $1,400 is also available to reduce upfront costs.
The rebate is not paid directly to the homeowner. It is deducted from the installer’s invoice, so you only pay the remaining balance after the rebate is applied.
Rebates are released in batches each month. When a release runs out, applications are held and assessed in the next available release.
What Changed on 1 July 2026?
The key change is the income eligibility threshold.
The rebate amount has not changed. The program structure is the same. What changed is who qualifies.
Households with a combined taxable income between $150,001 and $210,000 were eligible before 1 July 2026. From that date, they are no longer eligible.
Who Was Affected by the Change?
Households where the combined taxable income of all property owners fell between $150,001 and $210,000 per year were removed from the program.
If your income is $150,000 or below, nothing has changed for you. You remain eligible.
If your income exceeds $210,000, you were already ineligible under the previous rules.
Solar Victoria’s intention is to focus the program on lower and moderate income Victorian households going forward.
If you are unsure whether your combined household income falls under the new threshold, the Axial Electric team can review your eligibility before you progress any further.
What Stayed the Same After 1 July 2026?
Several eligibility conditions remain unchanged:
✓ The rebate value stays at up to ,400
✓ The interest-free loan of up to ,400 remains available
✓ The property must be owner-occupied
✓ The property value must be under million
✓ The property must not have previously received a solar PV or battery rebate under this program
✓ No solar PV system must have been installed at the property in the last 10 years
✓ All installations must use an authorised retailer and eligible products listed by Solar Victoria
If you have moved and received a rebate at a previous address, you can still apply at your new address, provided that property has not received a rebate before.
How Does the Interest-Free Loan Work?
If you want the interest-free loan, you must select it at the time of application. You cannot add it afterward.
The loan matches your rebate amount, up to $1,400. Repayments are monthly over four years. On a $1,400 loan, that works out to $29.17 per month. Repayments are automatically debited from your bank account and begin 30 days after your installation is approved.
No collateral is required. The loan amount is paid directly to your solar retailer at the same time as the rebate.
$29.17
Per month on a $1,400 interest-free loan
4 years
Repayment term, automatically debited monthly
0%
Interest, with no collateral required
Read more: what solar actually costs in Melbourne after rebates
What Does the Application Process Look Like?
To submit an application through the Service Victoria portal, you will need:
✓ Two forms of ID (driver’s licence, Medicare card, Australian passport, or similar)
✓ Proof of income for all property owners from the same financial year
✓ A quote uploaded by your authorised solar retailer
✓ Pre-approval from the Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) for grid connection
Your retailer needs to act before you can submit. They must upload the quote into the system on your behalf.
If you have not yet chosen an authorised retailer or are not sure where to start, Axial Electric in Lynbrook holds a Victorian Electrical Licence and has over 15 years of experience managing the full process from quote to installation. Get in touch to get started.
What Happens After Your Application Is Approved?
Once Solar Victoria confirms your eligibility, they send a unique QR code to your email. Your installer must scan this on-site before any work begins.
For an existing home, installation must be completed within 120 days of receiving the QR code. For homes under construction, the window extends to 270 days.
The rebate is deducted from your retailer’s invoice. You pay the remaining balance after installation is complete.
Are There Other Victorian Solar Incentives Worth Knowing About?
The solar panel rebate is one part of the broader Solar Homes Program. Other rebates available include:
Beyond this scheme, it is worth checking the full range of Victorian energy rebates and incentives you may be able to claim. And because export rates are now so low, it is worth understanding whether solar is still worth it with feed-in tariffs this low before you size a system.
Hot water rebate
Up to ,000 for eligible heat pump or solar hot water systems. Up to ,400 for locally manufactured products.
Solar for Apartments
Rebates of up to ,800 per household for eligible apartments, units, and townhouses. Extended to 30 June 2027.
Solar battery loans
Available separately for eligible Victorian households looking to add battery storage.
The income eligibility changes from 1 July 2026 apply to the solar PV rebate and the hot water rebate. Check Solar Victoria’s website directly for the latest eligibility criteria across each program.
If you want to work out which combination of these programs makes sense for your property, the Axial Electric team can assess your options based on your home’s actual setup and electrical capacity.
Not sure if you still qualify?
The new $150,000 income threshold has changed who is eligible for the Victorian solar rebate. Axial Electric, based in Lynbrook, holds a Victorian Electrical Licence and brings over 15 years of experience across solar, battery storage, and electrification. The team can review your eligibility and manage the full process from quote to rebate approval.
Summary
From 1 July 2026, only households with a combined income of $150,000 or less are eligible for the Victorian solar rebate. The rebate amount and overall program structure have not changed. If your income is below the threshold, you can apply now through the Service Victoria portal.
About Axial Electric
Axial Electric is based at 39 May Gibbs Cres, Lynbrook VIC 3975 and operates across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. With a Victorian Electrical Licence and over 15 years of experience across solar, battery storage, EV chargers, and electrification upgrades, the team can help you assess eligibility, size a system correctly, and manage the installation process end to end. Contact us for advice or to get a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the rebate amount change on 1 July 2026?
No. The rebate value stays at up to $1,400 and the interest-free loan of up to $1,400 remains available. Only the income eligibility threshold changed.
My income is exactly $150,000. Am I still eligible?
Yes. The new threshold requires a combined household income of $150,000 or less. An income of exactly $150,000 meets that requirement.
What counts as combined household income for the rebate?
The combined taxable income of all owners listed on the property title is used. Solar Victoria requires proof of income documents for each owner, drawn from the same financial year.
I already received a rebate at a previous address. Can I still apply?
Yes, in most cases. If you have moved to a new property and that property has not previously received a solar PV or battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program, you can apply again as an owner-occupier.
My solar system is more than 10 years old. Can I use the rebate to replace it?
Possibly. If your existing system is 10 or more years old, you may be eligible. Solar Victoria recommends checking whether your existing inverter can handle new or additional panels before accepting a quote.
What happens if I submit my application but the rebate release runs out before I am approved?
Rebate releases are made available each month. If a release is exhausted, your application is held and assessed in the next available release.
Do I need to use a specific installer?
Yes. All installations under the Solar Homes Program must be carried out by a retailer on Solar Victoria’s authorised list, using products on their eligible product lists. Using a non-authorised retailer means the rebate will not be paid. Axial Electric is an authorised retailer and can manage every step of the process through to rebate approval.
