For Australian homeowners with solar panels, understanding feed-in tariffs (FiTs) in 2026 is crucial for maximising your system’s value. The era of consistently high, set-and-forget FiTs is largely over. Today, the most significant savings come from self-consuming your solar power, with FiTs acting as a valuable, but secondary, credit for excess generation. While grid electricity often costs 30-50 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) to purchase, typical FiTs in 2026 range from 3-10 c/kWh, though some competitive or time-varying plans can offer more under specific conditions.
This guide provides a comprehensive state-by-state breakdown of current solar feed-in tariffs, outlines the factors influencing your export value, and offers strategies to ensure you’re getting the best return on your solar investment in 2026.
Understanding Solar Feed-in Tariffs in 2026
A solar feed-in tariff is the credit your electricity retailer pays you for any surplus solar power your system generates and sends back to the grid. Historically, these rates were high to incentivise early solar adoption. However, as rooftop solar penetration has increased across Australia, particularly during midday, wholesale electricity prices during sunny hours have fallen. This market shift has led to a general decline in FiT rates.
Rather than focusing solely on the highest FiT, the smarter strategy in 2026 is to maximise your self-consumption – using the power you generate directly in your home. Every kWh you use yourself avoids buying expensive grid electricity, which is typically far more valuable than the few cents you earn from exporting it.
State-by-State Solar Feed-in Tariff Overview (April 2026)
FiT rates vary significantly across Australia, influenced by state regulations, network conditions, and retailer competition. Here’s a breakdown of the current landscape:
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW does not have a regulated minimum FiT, meaning retailers set their own rates. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) suggested a reasonable flat FiT range of 4.8 to 7.3 c/kWh for 2025-26. However, some retailers offer higher rates, often with conditions.
Key features in NSW include:
- Competitive offers: Engie, Alinta Energy, and GloBird Energy offer maximum rates around 10 c/kWh. Origin Energy’s Solar Partner Plus can offer 12 c/kWh for initial exports, typically capped daily and for systems with inverters no larger than 10kW. AGL’s Solar Savers offers 8 c/kWh for the first 10kWh/day, then 4 c/kWh.
- Two-way pricing (Ausgrid network): Some plans on the Ausgrid network may include a small export charge (~1.2 c/kWh) for midday exports (10 am - 3 pm) but reward evening peak exports (4 pm - 9 pm) with a network bonus. This encourages battery adoption to shift exports to more valuable times.
Victoria (VIC)
From 1 July 2025, Victoria’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) no longer sets a mandatory minimum FiT. Retailers are free to set their own rates, which cannot be below 0.0 c/kWh. The average minimum rate observed for 2025-26 is around 1.1 c/kWh, though competitive offers exist.
- Highest offers (April 2026): Flow Power has been reported to offer up to 45 c/kWh under specific plans, while ENGIE offers 11 c/kWh for the first 8kWh/day, then 1 c/kWh. Origin, Alinta Energy, EnergyAustralia, and AGL have offered plans up to 10 c/kWh.
Queensland (QLD)
Queensland’s FiT landscape is split between two networks:
- South East Queensland (Energex network): No regulated minimum. Retailers offer varying rates, often with daily caps. Alinta Energy offers 10 c/kWh for the first 10 kWh/day, then 4 c/kWh. Origin Energy has the highest advertised rate at 22 c/kWh (based on a comparison of 574 plans), likely with specific conditions. AGL offers up to 8 c/kWh.
- Regional Queensland (Ergon network): The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) sets a mandatory rate, which for the 2025-26 financial year is 8.66 c/kWh. This rate has decreased from previous years.
- Legacy Scheme: The generous 44 c/kWh Solar Bonus Scheme for early adopters is still active for eligible customers but will conclude on 1 July 2028.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia has no mandatory minimum FiT, with rates set by retailers. SA has some of the highest electricity rates in Australia, making self-consumption particularly valuable.
- Typical rates (Feb 2026): Average FiTs from major retailers are generally 5-8 c/kWh. ENGIE offers an average of 7.0 c/kWh, with Alinta Energy at 6 c/kWh. EnergyAustralia and CovaU offer 5.5 c/kWh. Some retailers, like EnergyAustralia, Origin, and AGL, offer maximum rates of 10-12 c/kWh for initial daily exports (e.g., first 8-10 kWh).
Western Australia (WA)
In WA, Synergy (for most of the South West Interconnected System) and Horizon Power (for regional areas) are the primary retailers.
- Synergy’s DEBS (Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme): Offers time-varying rates, with a peak rate of 10.0 c/kWh (3 pm to 9 pm) and an off-peak rate of 2.0 c/kWh (0.0c/kWh in some cases). This structure heavily rewards shifting consumption or storing solar for evening use.
Tasmania (TAS)
Aurora Energy is the dominant retailer in Tasmania, offering a relatively stable FiT.
- Fixed rate: Aurora Energy’s rate is approximately 8.7 c/kWh.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Typical rates: FiT rates generally range from 4 to 10 c/kWh. ActewAGL, a major provider, typically offers 4.0 to 5.0 c/kWh.
Northern Territory (NT)
- Government-set DEBS rates: The NT offers time-varying DEBS rates, with a peak of 10 c/kWh (3 pm - 9 pm) and off-peak of 2 c/kWh. Some retailers offer rates in the 9.30 to 12.1 c/kWh range. This also provides a strong incentive for battery storage to export during peak evening times.
| State/Territory | Typical FiT Range (c/kWh) | Key Features / Best Offers (April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 3-12 | IPART range 4.8-7.3c/kWh. Max 10c/kWh (Engie, Alinta), 12c/kWh (Origin capped), 8c/kWh (AGL capped). Two-way pricing on Ausgrid. |
| VIC | 0-11 (up to 45) | No regulated minimum from July 2025. Average minimum 1.1c/kWh. Max 11c/kWh (ENGIE capped), up to 45c/kWh (Flow Power specific plans). |
| QLD (SE) | 3-10 (up to 22) | No regulated minimum. Max 10c/kWh (Alinta capped), 22c/kWh (Origin specific plans). |
| QLD (Regional) | 8.66 (fixed) | QCA-set rate for 2025-26. |
| SA | 5-12 | No regulated minimum. Max 10-12c/kWh (EnergyAustralia, Origin, AGL capped). |
| WA | 0-10 (time-varying) | Synergy DEBS: 10c/kWh peak (3-9pm), 0-2c/kWh off-peak. |
| TAS | ~8.7 (fixed) | Aurora Energy fixed rate. |
| ACT | 4-10 | ActewAGL 4-5c/kWh typical. |
| NT | 2-12.1 (time-varying) | DEBS: 10c/kWh peak (3-9pm), 2c/kWh off-peak. |
Maximising Your Solar Export Value Beyond FiTs
Given the current FiT landscape, simply exporting all your excess solar is rarely the most profitable strategy. The real financial gains come from smart energy management.
1. Prioritise Self-Consumption
Using your solar power as it’s generated is paramount. Every kWh you consume directly saves you the full retail price of electricity, which is significantly higher than any FiT. Consider running high-load appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and pool pumps during daylight hours when your solar is producing. Even shifting just 30-50% of your usage to solar generation times can dramatically increase your savings.
2. Invest in a Solar Battery System
A home battery is increasingly becoming a financial no-brainer for Australian solar owners in 2026. Instead of exporting surplus solar for a low FiT, a battery stores it for use during the evening peak, when grid electricity prices are highest (30-50 c/kWh). This allows you to avoid purchasing expensive power, effectively valuing your stored solar at the retail rate you save.
“In 2026, most Australian solar households get more value from using or storing their solar power than from exporting it for a low feed-in tariff. Grid electricity often costs 30–50c/kWh, while feed-in tariffs commonly sit around 2–10c/kWh.”
To understand the precise financial benefits for your household, read our detailed guide: Solar Battery vs. Exporting to the Grid: Which Saves You More Money in Australia in 2026?.
Home battery systems typically range from 5kWh to 13kWh+ and cost between $5,000 and $13,000 or more, depending on size and brand. Government rebates, such as the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program and various state schemes (e.g., NSW, SA, VIC), can significantly reduce upfront costs.
3. Join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)
If you have a home battery, joining a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) can unlock additional income streams. VPPs aggregate distributed home batteries to provide services to the grid during peak demand or instability, and in return, participants receive payments or bill credits.
Many energy retailers (e.g., AGL, Origin, Amber Electric, Discover Energy, Synergy in WA) offer VPP programs. The incentives vary, from upfront credits to per-event payments or wholesale market exposure. NSW, Victoria, and South Australia also provide state-specific VPP incentives.
For a comprehensive comparison of programs, consult our guide: Best Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Programs in Australia 2026: Maximise Your Home Battery Savings.
Choosing the Right Energy Retailer
When comparing electricity plans, don’t just chase the highest headline FiT. A generous FiT might be offset by higher daily supply charges or usage rates. Always consider the total estimated annual cost of the plan, factoring in your typical consumption and export patterns. Many comparison websites allow you to input your usage data for a personalised cost ranking.
Look for:
- Clear FiT conditions: Are there daily caps? Does the rate change after a certain export volume? Is it time-varying?
- Competitive usage and supply charges: These often have a greater impact on your overall bill than the FiT.
- Battery compatibility: If you have or plan to get a battery, ensure the retailer’s plans and any VPP offerings are compatible.
Key Considerations for 2026 Solar Owners
- System Sizing: Over-sizing your system without sufficient self-consumption or battery storage will result in more cheap exports. It’s crucial to size your system appropriately for your household’s needs. For guidance, see our article: The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Sizing Your Solar & Battery System in Australia.
- Rebates: Federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) continue to reduce the upfront cost of solar installations, though their value decreases annually and the scheme ends in 2030.
Bottom Line
In April 2026, the strategy for maximising your solar investment has fundamentally shifted from relying on high feed-in tariffs to prioritising self-consumption and energy storage. While competitive FiTs still offer a welcome credit, the substantial difference between export rates (typically 3-10 c/kWh) and grid purchase rates (30-50 c/kWh) means that every kilowatt-hour you use or store yourself is worth significantly more than what you export. For most Australian households, investing in a home battery and participating in a Virtual Power Plant program offers the clearest path to maximising savings and achieving greater energy independence.