Update on changes to Solar Homes Program household income eligibility

The combined household income eligibility cap will change on 1 July 2026 from $210,000 to $150,000 per year. Enabling Solar Victoria to continue supporting Victorian households who are most affected by cost-of-living pressures, including renters and lower income households.

Among existing Solar Homes Program customers, over 80% would be eligible under the $150,000 cap, ensuring the program continues to support a large proportion of households to cut the upfront cost of installing solar and upgrading hot water.

For more information, read Solar Victoria’s update at: Solar Homes Program continuing to provide targeted assistance.

30 June application deadline and actions

The new household income eligibility cap applies to all applications submitted on and after 1 July 2026. Rebate values, interest-free loans for solar PV rebates, and the application process remain unchanged, with no other program settings adjusted.

For customers with quotes submitted and applications started:

• Customers with a combined household income between $150,000 and $210,000 per year must submit their application in full by 5pm on Tuesday 30 June to remain eligible.
• Customers must provide all details and documents requested then submit their application through the Service Victoria portal by 5 pm. Solar Victoria cannot consider ‘saved’ applications or applications that time out.

For customers with applications under review:

• Customers must provide all outstanding details and documents requested to finalise their application under the current $210,000 income eligibility cap.
• Customers must return requested documentation within 14 days of the request date to prevent their application being cancelled.
• Customers will no longer be eligible for a rebate from 1 July 2026 if their combined household income is over $150,000 a year and their application times out or Solar Victoria do not receive all outstanding details and documentation within 14 days of the request.

Customers with a combined household income of $150,000 or less per year do not need to take any action.

Rebates available

Thousands of rebates remain available through to 30 June at the current household income eligibility cap of $210,000. In 2026–27:

• the Victorian Budget provides $28.08 million for Solar Victoria to deliver an additional 27,000 hot water rebates
• a total of 28,854 solar PV rebates of up to $1,400 will be available.

If you have any questions, please email us at scott@matthewwalshelectrical.com.au or call us on 1300 449 458