A feed-in tariff is what your retailer pays you for the solar power you export to the grid. In 2026 those rates sit at roughly 3 to 10 cents per kWh — a long way down from the 44–66 cent premiums of a decade ago.
That sounds like bad news for solar, but it isn't — it just changes the strategy. Here's how feed-in tariffs work in 2026, what they pay by state, and why what you do with your solar now matters more than what you're paid to export it.
Feed-in Tariff Rates by State (2026)
Rates vary by state, retailer and sometimes time of day. These are typical 2026 ranges:
| State | Typical 2026 feed-in tariff |
|---|---|
| NSW | ~5–8c (no mandated minimum; competitive retailers higher) |
| VIC | Minimum ~4.2c set by the ESC; some retailers offer more |
| QLD | ~4–7c, market-based (the old 44c premium scheme is closed to new customers) |
| SA | ~3–8c — among the lowest daytime rates |
| WA | DEBS scheme, roughly 2–10c, paying more during the evening peak |
| TAS | ~8–10c, regulated and relatively stable |
Some retailers now even advertise 0c feed-in tariffs offset by lower usage rates — which is exactly why you can't judge a plan on its feed-in rate alone.
Why Have Feed-in Tariffs Fallen?
Australia now has more than four million rooftop solar systems. They all generate at the same time — late morning to mid-afternoon — flooding the grid with cheap power exactly when demand is low. That pushes midday wholesale prices down (sometimes negative), so the market value of exported solar drops, and feed-in credits follow. In many areas, networks are also limiting exports to keep the grid stable.
The headline that matters: feed-in tariffs have roughly halved while electricity prices have climbed. The gap between what you're paid to export (~5c) and what you pay to buy (~30–40c) has never been wider.
Why Self-Consumption Now Beats Export
That gap is the whole point. Every kWh of solar you use yourself saves you the full retail rate — around 30–40 cents. Every kWh you export earns you the feed-in tariff — around 5 cents. So using your own solar is worth roughly six to ten times more than exporting it.
The smart 2026 strategy isn't to chase the highest feed-in tariff. It's to use more of what you generate:
- Run big appliances — dishwasher, washing machine, pool pump — during daylight hours.
- Consider a home battery to store excess solar for the evening instead of exporting it cheaply.
- Look at time-varying feed-in plans (some retailers pay more for exports during the evening peak).
- Compare the whole plan — usage rate plus feed-in tariff — not the headline export rate.
See your real solar savings — including your state's feed-in rate
SolarBill factors your usage, export and local feed-in tariff into a personalised recommendation. Free, 60 seconds, no account.
Try the Free Calculator ☀️Does a Low Feed-in Tariff Mean Solar Isn't Worth It?
No — it just means the value has moved. Solar still pays for itself comfortably in 2026 because the savings come from not buying expensive grid power during the day, not from export credits. If anything, low feed-in tariffs strengthen the case for sizing your system to your daytime usage and adding storage, rather than building a big system purely to export. See is solar worth it in 2026 for the full picture.
The Bottom Line
Feed-in tariffs in 2026 are modest and unlikely to climb, so don't choose your system — or your plan — around them. Focus on using your own solar, compare plans on total value, and consider a battery if your feed-in rate is low and your evening usage is high.
To see how it all nets out for your home, upload your bill to SolarBill — it builds your state's feed-in tariff into the savings estimate.
Get your personalised solar estimate
Right-sized system, estimated savings and payback - from your real electricity bill. Free, no account required.
Scan My Bill ☀️SolarBill is a free solar calculator for Australian homeowners. Feed-in tariff figures are indicative for 2026 and vary by state, retailer and plan - always confirm current rates with your retailer.