From the 1st of July 2026, the combined household income threshold for Solar Victoria drops. The window to claim under the current threshold closes at 5pm on Tuesday the 30th of June 2026.
The rebate values are unchanged. The eligibility criteria are shifting.
In this article, we cover what is changing, who it affects and what to do before the deadline. There is more to this story than the solar panel rebate.
Who Should Be Acting Before the 30th of June?
With the threshold decreasing so soon, households considering an upgrade need to act quickly.
If you’re not sure what camp you fall into, here are the common situations we see:
1. You already have solar, and thought this did not affect you
The heat pump hot water rebate is a completely separate application from the solar panel rebate. That means households that have already claimed a solar rebate can still access the hot water rebate now.
The same income threshold applies, and the same deadline.
Hot water accounts for a significant share of most households’ energy bills. The heat pump hot water rebate is worth up to $1,400 for a locally manufactured product, including a $400 bonus on top of the base rebate for choosing an Australian-made system.
2. Your solar system is over 10 years old, and you have been sitting on the fence
A system installed in 2015 or earlier is likely underperforming. Feed-in tariff rates have dropped significantly since the early days of rooftop solar, and what once felt like a solid return has probably shrunk considerably.
Pairing an upgrade with a battery now, while the rebate is still accessible to you, makes more sense than waiting for a system failure to force the decision.
3. You've been putting solar off
Couples who have been meaning to get solar but have not pulled the trigger are in a tighter position than they realise. After the 30th of June, combined household income above $150,000 is out. If you are both working and have been delaying, this is your window.
4. Your household income is under $210,000 but above $150,000
This is the group most directly affected. You are currently eligible. From the 1st of July, you are not. The rebate is worth up to $1,400 per system, and that support goes away permanently if you miss the deadline.
What's Changing from the 1st of July 2026
The combined household income threshold for solar panel (PV) rebates and heat pump hot water rebates will drop from $210,000 to $150,000 per year. This applies to owner-occupiers and rental properties alike.
If your combined household income sits between $150,000 and $210,000, you will no longer be eligible for Solar Victoria’s Solar Home Program from the 1st of July.
What Is the Solar Homes Program?
When Solar Victoria launched the Solar Homes Program in 2018, it offered a single rebate on rooftop solar panels for Victorian homeowners. Since then, it has expanded, adding new products and new forms of support with each phase:
- Solar panel (PV) rebate
- Solar battery loan (interest-free)
- Interest-free loan
- Heat pump hot water rebate
Together, these measures have helped more than 850,000 Victorian households install solar. Rooftop generation now contributes around 10% of the state’s electricity.
The income threshold change from the 1st of July is the most significant adjustment to eligibility the program has made since it launched.
What the Rebates Are Worth
Rebate values stay the same for eligible households. Here is what is available:
- Solar panel (PV) rebate: Up to $1,400, with the option of an equivalent interest-free loan
- Heat pump hot water rebate (locally manufactured): Up to $1,400, including a $400 Australian-made bonus
- Heat pump hot water rebate (other eligible products): Up to $1,000
Both rebates can be claimed by the same household. Solar PV and hot water are treated as separate applications.
That is up to $2,800 in combined rebate support, and the solar PV rebate can be paired with an interest-free loan to spread the upfront cost.
How to Apply Before the Cutoff
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday the 30th of June 2026.
Thousands of rebates remain available through to that date. Time is short.
Applications are submitted through the Solar Victoria website at solar.vic.gov.au.
At Bluegum, we stock Australian-manufactured heat pumps, which means we can take care of the full $1,400 rebate and the $400 locally made bonus in one go. Solar and battery installs are our specialty, and our Clean Energy Council accredited team has been fitting systems across the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury and surrounds for years.
If you want to get your application sorted before the 30th of June, give us a call and we will walk you through what you qualify for.
The Bottom Line
The Solar Homes Program has grown significantly since 2018, and the income threshold change from the 1st of July is the biggest eligibility shift it has made.
If your household earns between $150,000 and $210,000 per year, the 30th of June is your deadline. The rebates are worth up to $1,400 per system, and once the window closes it will not reopen for this income bracket.
If you want help working out what you qualify for and getting your application in before the deadline, we are here to help. Book a free onsite consult
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new income threshold for Solar Victoria rebates?
From the 1st of July 2026, the combined household income threshold for solar panel and hot water rebates drops to $150,000 per year. At the time of publishing (mid-June 2026), the threshold is $210,000. If your household income falls between $150,000-$210,000, your application must be submitted in full by 5pm on the 30th of June 2026.
Has the rebate amount changed?
Rebate values remain unchanged.
Eligible households can still access up to $1,400 for a solar panel (PV) system, up to $1,400 for a locally manufactured heat pump hot water product (including a $400 Australian-made bonus) or up to $1,000 for other eligible hot water products. The interest-free loan option for solar PV also remains available.
I already have solar installed. Does this still affect me?
Yes. The heat pump hot water rebate is a separate application from the solar panel rebate. Even if you have already claimed a solar rebate, you can still apply for the hot water rebate as long as your combined household income is under the threshold. That means the 30th of June deadline applies to you too if your income sits between $150,000 and $210,000.
Can I claim both the solar and hot water rebates?
Yes. Solar PV and hot water rebates are separate applications and can both be claimed by eligible households. Depending on the hot water product selected, that is up to $2,400 to $2,800 in combined rebate support.
What if my solar system is over 10 years old?
An older system is worth reviewing before the deadline. If your system is past its prime and your household income sits between $150,000 and $210,000, this could be your last opportunity to access rebate support for an upgrade. We can assess your current setup and advise on what makes sense.
What if I miss the 30 June deadline?
If your combined household income is above $150,000 and you do not submit your application by 5pm on the 30th of June, you will not be eligible from the 1st of July 2026. There is no grace period. If you are close to the $150,000 threshold, now is the time to confirm your eligibility.
Don’t miss out on rebates you’re eligible for! Book a free onsite consult today.