Government battery program spin fails the energy test

The Government has been embarrassed following a media release announcing low numbers for their much-touted Residential Battery Scheme.

“Instead of congratulating themselves for getting 4,600 battery rebates to WA householders they should be apologising the slow and ungainly roll out,” Shadow Energy Minister Dr Steve Thomas said.

“The question I asked last week in Parliament (attached) highlights the lack of progress in the scheme which opened on July 1. Of the 15,835 applications approved, only 4605 rebates have been paid – that’s just 29 per cent.

“In the first few months there were significant delays in getting batteries installed because the technology required, especially new or upgraded inverters, were in short supply.

“The bigger problem however is the slow payment system for the state battery rebates.

“The Federal Government rebate scheme seems to be able to get payments out inside a week, whereas installers and families are waiting a ridiculous period of time for State Government payments.

“These delays are putting pressure on businesses and delaying the roll out of the state battery scheme. At this rate, the Government will struggle to get to its target of 100,000 rebates.”

Dr Thomas said the Cook Labor Government’s rollout of its battery rebate scheme has been flawed from the start.

“We know the reaction from local installers has been that the scheme has been a nightmare and some installers have actually been avoiding the state scheme,” he said.

“The State Government cut their state rebates from $5000 promised during the March election to $1,300 and relied on the federal scheme to pick up the rest of the cost,” he said.

“The original design of their scheme, including the caps, also had to be scrapped because it would have sent battery installers broke.

“This program needs to be fixed to have any chance of delivering the outcome the Government promised at the election.”

Residential battery scheme—Rebate

984. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:

I refer to the government's floundering WA residential battery scheme. As at 10 November 2025, I ask the following.

(1) How many applications have been received under the WA residential battery scheme?

(2) How many applications have been approved under the WA residential battery scheme?

(3) How many batteries have been installed under the scheme since it opened on 1 July 2025?

(4) What is the total of payments made under the scheme to date?

(5) How many batteries have been installed in the South West Interconnected System without accessing the WA state government's scheme since 1 July 2025?

Hon Stephen Dawson replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) There have been 18,848.

(2) There have been 15,834.

(3) A total of 4,605 rebates have been paid for battery installations.

(4) The total is $5,238,868.

(5) The answer to this question cannot be provided in the given time. An answer will be provided on the next sitting day.