The federal government’s latest budget included a one-off $150 rebate to help households with rising energy bills. For many Australians, that relief is welcome and needed.
But let’s be honest - it’s a temporary solution. It’s not going to fix the real issue, which is that many households still don’t have long-term control over their energy costs.
The truth is, the technology to take that control already exists. It’s sitting in driveways and garages, on rooftops and in smart meters around the country.
And right now, the most powerful piece of that puzzle is the one that still feels out of reach for most Australians - the home battery.
What batteries can do that $150 can’t
A $150 rebate helps once. A battery can help every single day.
Paired with rooftop solar and smart access to the energy market, a home battery can shift your energy use to the cheapest (and greenest) times of day - or even export power back to the grid when prices spike. It’s not just about storing power. It’s about trading it smartly.
At Amber, we’ve built the tech to make that simple. And the results speak for themselves.
In the past year, 3 in 4 Amber battery customers had at least one negative bill - meaning they didn’t just reduce their bill, they got rid of their bill completely - and got paid instead.
This isn’t a niche outcome - it’s happening across the country
These aren’t just early adopters living off-grid or in luxury eco homes. These are regular households in suburban streets, townhouses, and regional communities. People with solar panels on their roofs, a battery in their garage, and a smart meter doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
And when they’re given access to wholesale prices and the tech to use it well.
In the past year, the percentage of Amber battery customers who had at least one negative bill looked like this:
- ACT: 83%
- QLD: 76%
- NSW: 75%
- SA: 73%
- VIC: 70%
That’s more than just a stat - it’s proof that with the right tools and market access, households can flip the traditional energy model on its head.
It’s no longer about waiting passively for quarterly bills. It’s about becoming an active participant in your home’s energy use, and getting rewarded for it.
So what’s holding people back?
The biggest barrier is still the upfront cost of a home battery. And while the $150 rebate will take a little pressure off one or two bills, it won’t help a household make the leap to long-term savings and independence.
That’s why battery subsidies are the missing piece.
Solar subsidies helped Australia become the world leader in rooftop solar. With clear, national support for battery adoption, we could do the same for storage - helping households not only reduce their reliance on the grid, but start using the energy they generate in smarter, more profitable ways.
Batteries don’t just benefit households, either. They benefit the entire grid. They help soak up excess solar during the day and support demand during peak times. They reduce the pressure on ageing infrastructure. And they accelerate the shift to renewable energy by making it more useful, more flexible, and more accessible.
Real relief isn’t once-off - it’s ongoing
“The $150 rebate is a helpful short-term measure - but it doesn’t fix the core problem. Most Australians still don’t have meaningful control over their energy costs,” said Chris Thompson, co-founder and co-CEO of Amber.
“What we’ve seen at Amber is that when households are given access to the wholesale market and the right tools, like home batteries, they don’t just save on power - they flip the model. With the right policy support, that kind of energy independence could become mainstream. Suddenly, instead of paying a bill, you’re earning an income.”
At Amber, we’re already working to unlock that future. Through direct access to the wholesale energy market, and smart technology like SmartShift, we help households automate their energy usage. They store when it’s cheap, export when it’s valuable, reduce their costs, and accelerate Australia’s shift to a renewable future.
But we know not everyone has been able to take that step yet. And until batteries become more accessible, millions of Australians will still be left exposed to rising prices and limited options.
The $150 rebate is a good gesture. But it’s not enough. What households really need is the power to take control - not just for one month, but for good.
Want to learn more about how batteries (and smart energy use) can put you in the green?
Check out our guide: Making The Most of Wholesale When You Have a Battery →
