What is the Home Business and Battery Scheme?
The Northern Territory (NT) Governments Home Business and Battery Scheme is a joint initiative designed to support residents who operate a smallscale homebased business and wish to improve the energy efficiency and reliability of their premises. The scheme offers a voucher that can be used to partially fund the purchase and installation of a residential battery system, such as a lithiumion storage unit, and associated smartgrid equipment.
Key objectives include:
- Reducing electricity costs for homebased entrepreneurs.
- Encouraging the uptake of renewable energy technologies in regional communities.
- Improving resilience against power outages, especially in remote areas.
- Supporting the NTs broader climatechange and netzero targets.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the voucher, an applicant must meetall of the following criteria:
- Residency: Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in the Northern Territory.
- HomeBased Business: Operate a registered homebased business that generates less than A$500,000 in annual turnover. The business must be primarily conducted from the applicants residence.
- Property Ownership: Own or have a longterm lease (minimum 5years) on the property where the battery will be installed.
- Electrical Compliance: The property must already have a compliant electrical installation and a connection to the NT Power network.
- Energy Usage: Demonstrate an average electricity consumption of at least 5,000kWh per year (to ensure the battery provides a measurable benefit).
Applicants who are already receiving other NT energyefficiency rebates may still be eligible, provided the total combined assistance does not exceed the maximum allowable government support for a single project.
How the Voucher Works
Voucher Value
The voucher provides a discount of up to A$3,000 on approved battery systems. The exact amount depends on the size of the battery and the applicants total projected energy savings. The voucher is issued as a digital code that can be redeemed directly with participating suppliers.
Eligible Products
Only batteries that meet the following technical standards qualify:
- Capacity between 5kWh and 15kWh.
- Compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 4777 (gridconnected inverter systems).
- Manufacturerregistered warranty of at least 10years.
- Capability to be managed via a smartenergy controller that can be linked to the NT Power demandresponse platform.
Application Process
- Preassessment: Use the online eligibility checker on the NT Government portal.
- Submit Application: Complete the digital form, attach proof of residence, business registration, and an electricity usage statement from your most recent bill.
- Approval & Voucher Issuance: Within 10working days, you will receive a voucher code via email.
- Purchase & Installation: Choose a participating supplier, provide the voucher code, and arrange installation. The supplier will apply the discount directly to the invoice.
- Verification: After installation, a certified installer will submit a compliance report to the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
- Final Confirmation: Once the report is accepted, the voucher is considered fulfilled and the project is recorded in the NT Renewable Energy Register.
Timeline
The scheme runs on a rolling basis, but funding is limited to the first 2,000 vouchers awarded each financial year. Early application is recommended.
Important: The voucher cannot be combined with a discount on the same battery from a suppliers own promotion. However, it can be used alongside a separate solarpanel rebate if the two programmes address different components of the system.
Ready to Apply?
Take the first step toward a more resilient and costeffective home business. Follow the link below to start your application.
Start ApplicationIf you have questions, contact the NT Energy Assistance Team at energy.assistance@nt.gov.au or call1800123456.
