Battery Replacement / Sheet 06
General information. The official places to check are the Clean Energy Regulator and your state’s fire service.
Sheet 06 · Cells, by the wall-fullHome battery safety
Among the conditions for the federal discount, a home battery must be a model on the Clean Energy Council’s approved list, comply with the installation standard AS/NZS 5139:2019 and state or territory electrical safety laws, and be installed by an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. Fire and Rescue NSW adds where it should sit, who should look after it, and what to do if it is ever damaged.
Why a wall battery needs care
Home battery energy storage systems are often paired with solar panels and commonly use lithium-ion batteries. Fire and Rescue NSW says they can present risks such as fire, explosions and chemical exposure.
The Clean Energy Council says that, seeing Australia lacked product safety standards for battery storage systems, industry associations and safety regulators joined to agree a minimum standard. Its approved list holds over 1,000 lithium-based batteries that meet the requirements of its Battery Safety Guide, and state electricity networks and government rebate programs require batteries from that list.
Four checks, from the official lists
| Check | What the official source says | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| The battery | Included on the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list. | Approved Batteries list |
| The installer | Accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia with a battery endorsement, and on site for the battery’s set-up, installation and commissioning. | Installer accreditation check |
| The installation | Compliant with AS/NZS 5139:2019 and with state or territory electrical safety laws, and installed to Solar Accreditation Australia’s technical requirements. | Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council |
| The size | Advice rather than a rule: the department suggests talking to the retailer or installer about your daily electricity use, your solar output and your inverter, and warns that bigger is not always better. | Solar Consumer Guide |
AS/NZS 5139:2019 is titled “Electrical installations: Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment”. Fire and Rescue NSW describes it as setting out installation and safety requirements for battery energy storage.
Where it sits, and who looks after it
Fire and Rescue NSW’s advice for minimising the risks:
- Accredited hands. Use only accredited technicians to install it.
- A good spot. A cool, ventilated, low-traffic area, away from entries and exits.
- Regular checks. Schedule maintenance with an authorised technician.
- Numbers to hand. Keep the installer’s and the manufacturer’s contact details near the meter box.
Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, households, businesses and community organisations can get around 30% off the upfront cost of installing an eligible battery connected to solar. It is reviewed at least once a year and will decrease over time until 2030. You do not need to apply to the department or the regulator: the installer or retailer offers it as an upfront reduction or a rebate after installation, or you can claim it yourself through the REC Registry. The details and current figures are on the department’s program page.
Damage, and emergencies
By impact, fire or water
Damage may include impact, fire, or water getting in, including flooding. Do not restart a damaged system. Follow its shutdown procedure if it is safe to, and ask the manufacturer or a technician to inspect it and arrange disposal.
Out, then call
Leave immediately and call Triple Zero (000), saying a home battery system is involved. Do not go back in until the authorities say it is safe. For smoke or chemical exposure, get medical help; cool burns with water for 20 minutes and call Triple Zero.
Not a drop-off bin
B-cycle drop-off points do not take home energy storage batteries; it points owners to their council or transfer station. The CER notes that a battery installed under the program should stay at the property for its warranty period or until the end of 2030, whichever is later.