Feed-in tariffs (FiTs) are what your electricity retailer pays you for excess solar energy exported to the grid. They've dropped significantly from the generous rates of 10 years ago, and understanding today's landscape is crucial for making smart solar decisions.
Current Feed-in Tariff Rates by State (2026)
NT — 8.4c/kWh
Highest regulated FiT. 1-for-1 scheme up to your metered export amount.
ACT — 6–7c/kWh
Regulated rate set annually by the ICRC. Relatively stable.
TAS — 5–6c/kWh
Aurora Energy's regulated rate. One of the more generous mainland rates.
QLD — 3–6c/kWh
Varies by retailer. Shop around — some offer 6c+, others as low as 3c.
NSW — 3–6c/kWh
Varies significantly by retailer. Time-of-use FiTs available from some.
VIC — 3–5c/kWh
Minimum FiT set by Essential Services Commission. Many retailers pay minimum.
SA — 3–5c/kWh
Despite high electricity rates, FiTs are low. Makes batteries more attractive.
WA — 2.5–10c/kWh
DEBS scheme pays time-varying rates. Peak export (3–9pm) pays ~10c. Off-peak ~2.5c.
Why FiTs Have Dropped
With over 3.7 million solar homes in Australia, there's often a surplus of solar energy on the grid during the middle of the day. This oversupply has pushed wholesale electricity prices negative during peak solar hours, making it less valuable for retailers to buy your excess energy. This is actually the strongest argument for batteries — if your FiT is only 3–5c/kWh but you pay 27–36c/kWh at night, storing that energy instead of exporting it saves you 22–31c per kWh.
Maximising Returns with Low FiTs
With low feed-in tariffs, the strategy shifts from 'generate as much as possible' to 'use as much as possible.' Shift your usage to solar hours, invest in a battery for evening storage, consider a time-of-use tariff that benefits evening solar usage, and look at WA's DEBS scheme model where exports during peak hours are worth more. Our scorecard factors in your state's FiT when calculating your battery benefit score.