The Feed-in Tariff Death Spiral
Australian solar feed-in tariffs have halved since 2017 while electricity prices doubled. Exporting solar to the grid is now worth a fraction of self-consuming it. This tracker shows the divergence in real time.
updateData updated: 13 April 2026 from AER Consumer Data Right API
3.0c
National Median FiT
-33.3%
Year-on-Year Change
26c
Usage-to-FiT Gap
The Divergence: FiT vs Electricity Price
Since 2017, the gap between what you pay for electricity and what you earn by exporting solar has widened dramatically. The average household now loses 26c for every kWh exported instead of self-consumed.
Sources: ABS Consumer Price Index, AEMC Residential Electricity Price Trends, ESC annual determinations. FiT = retailer-paid feed-in tariffs only (excludes legacy government premium schemes).
State-by-State Feed-in Tariffs
Live rates from the AER Consumer Data Right API. Click column headers to sort. Colour coding: 8c+ 5-8c <5c
| Stateunfold_more | Median FiTarrow_downward | Minunfold_more | Maxunfold_more | Avg Usage Rateunfold_more | Export Gapunfold_more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAS | 8.8c | 8.8c | 8.9c | 29.0c | 20.2c |
| ACT | 5.0c | 2.8c | 24.6c | 29.0c | 24.0c |
| NSW | 4.0c | 0.5c | 25.3c | 29.0c | 25.0c |
| QLD | 3.0c | 0.4c | 22.0c | 29.0c | 26.0c |
| SA | 2.0c | 0.5c | 22.0c | 29.0c | 27.0c |
| VIC | 1.5c | 0.0c | 12.0c | 29.0c | 27.5c |
TAS
Median: 8.8c8.8c - 8.9c
29.0c/kWh
20.2c/kWh
49
ACT
Median: 5.0c2.8c - 24.6c
29.0c/kWh
24.0c/kWh
191
NSW
Median: 4.0c0.5c - 25.3c
29.0c/kWh
25.0c/kWh
1613
QLD
Median: 3.0c0.4c - 22.0c
29.0c/kWh
26.0c/kWh
574
SA
Median: 2.0c0.5c - 22.0c
29.0c/kWh
27.0c/kWh
314
VIC
Median: 1.5c0.0c - 12.0c
29.0c/kWh
27.5c/kWh
1055
The Export Gap: What You Lose by Not Self-Consuming
For every kWh you export, you earn the small teal portion. The orange shows how much more you would save by using that energy yourself. In every state, self-consumption is worth 4-8 times more than exporting.
Each bar shows the total value of solar energy (usage rate). The small teal portion is what you earn by exporting. The orange portion is value lost by not self-consuming. Based on live AER CDR plan data.
Retailer FiT Rankings
Which retailers still offer the best feed-in tariffs? Filter by state. Remember: a high FiT with high usage rates may cost you more overall.
| # | Retailer | State | Best FiT | Usage Rate | Self-use Savings | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| check1 | Amber Electric | NSW | 25.3c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 3.7c/kWh | 6 |
| 2 | Amber Electric | ACT | 24.6c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 4.4c/kWh | 6 |
| 3 | Origin Energy | NSW | 22.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 7.0c/kWh | 396 |
| 4 | Origin Energy | QLD | 22.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 7.0c/kWh | 141 |
| 5 | Origin Energy | SA | 22.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 7.0c/kWh | 54 |
| 6 | Amber Electric | QLD | 17.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 12.0c/kWh | 6 |
| 7 | Energy Locals | NSW | 15.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 14.0c/kWh | 108 |
| 8 | Energy Locals | QLD | 15.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 14.0c/kWh | 24 |
| 9 | Energy Locals | SA | 15.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 14.0c/kWh | 18 |
| 10 | Energy Locals | ACT | 15.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 14.0c/kWh | 30 |
| 11 | Amber Electric | SA | 14.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 15.0c/kWh | 1 |
| 12 | Energy Locals | VIC | 12.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 17.0c/kWh | 48 |
| 13 | ENGIE | NSW | 11.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 18.0c/kWh | 331 |
| 14 | Alinta Energy | NSW | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 40 |
| 15 | GloBird Energy | NSW | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 20 |
| 16 | Alinta Energy | QLD | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 24 |
| 17 | ENGIE | QLD | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 73 |
| 18 | GloBird Energy | QLD | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 20 |
| 19 | GloBird Energy | SA | 10.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 19.0c/kWh | 18 |
| 20 | Alinta Energy | SA | 9.0c/kWh | 29.0c/kWh | 20.0c/kWh | 24 |
25.3c
29.0c
3.7c
24.6c
29.0c
4.4c
22.0c
29.0c
7.0c
22.0c
29.0c
7.0c
22.0c
29.0c
7.0c
17.0c
29.0c
12.0c
15.0c
29.0c
14.0c
15.0c
29.0c
14.0c
15.0c
29.0c
14.0c
15.0c
29.0c
14.0c
14.0c
29.0c
15.0c
12.0c
29.0c
17.0c
11.0c
29.0c
18.0c
10.0c
29.0c
19.0c
10.0c
29.0c
19.0c
Victoria's Premium FiT Collapse: 60c to Near Zero
Victoria's premium feed-in tariff scheme is the most dramatic example of the death spiral. What started as a generous 60c/kWh incentive to drive solar adoption has collapsed to effectively zero, leaving a trail of policy lessons.
Premium FiT launched at 60c/kWh
Victorian Government introduces one of the most generous solar feed-in tariffs in the world at 60c/kWh for systems up to 5kW.
Premium rate cut to 25c/kWh
Overwhelming uptake forces the government to halve the rate for new applicants. Existing recipients grandfathered.
Premium scheme closed
No new applicants accepted. Around 110,000 households locked in at 60c. Transitional rate of 8c set for new solar.
ESC sets minimum FiT
Essential Services Commission begins setting an annual minimum feed-in tariff. Initial rate: 11.3c/kWh.
Minimum FiT drops to 4.9c/kWh
Wholesale price decline and solar oversupply push the regulated minimum below 5c for the first time.
Minimum FiT collapses to 3.3c/kWh
Record-low daytime wholesale prices from solar saturation drive the minimum to just 3.3c.
ESC proposes near-zero rates
Draft determination proposes a minimum rate as low as 0.04c/kWh (effectively zero) for flat-rate exports.
The NSW "Sun Tax": Paying to Export Solar
From Jul 2025, NSW became the first Australian state to charge solar households for exporting energy to the grid. The charge of 1.2c per kWh applies across Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy networks.
NSW becomes the first Australian state to introduce an export charge for rooftop solar. The charge of 1.2c/kWh on exports is designed to fund network upgrades needed to handle increasing solar volumes. For a typical 6.6kW system exporting 10kWh/day, this costs roughly $44 per year.
While framed as a cost-recovery measure for network upgrades, the charge further erodes the value proposition of exporting solar. Combined with declining FiTs, it makes the case for batteries and self-consumption even stronger.
South Australia's $82 Million Grid Challenge
SA Power Networks has invested $82 million in network infrastructure specifically to manage the challenges of high rooftop solar penetration, including voltage management and reverse power flows. South Australia has the highest rooftop solar penetration in the world, with solar generating more than 100% of state demand on some days.
The cost of managing these exports is ultimately passed through to all electricity customers, adding pressure to further reduce feed-in tariffs. SA's experience previews what other states face as their solar penetration grows.
The Export Timing Problem: 0.5% After 5pm
AEMO data shows that only 0.5% of rooftop solar energy is exported after 5pm, when electricity demand peaks. The vast majority of solar exports occur between 10am and 2pm when demand is low and wholesale prices are often near zero or negative.
This mismatch between solar export times and peak demand is the fundamental driver of declining FiTs. Your solar produces the most energy when the grid needs it least. Batteries solve this by storing midday solar for evening use, when electricity is most valuable.
Why Batteries Now Make More Sense Than Exporting
With feed-in tariffs at historic lows, the maths has shifted decisively in favour of self-consumption. A battery storing solar for evening use saves you 29c per kWh instead of earning just 5c by exporting. That's roughly 5.8x more value from every kWh.
$2.40/day
Battery Savings (10kWh)
$876/yr
Annual Battery Savings
5.8x
Self-use vs Export Value
Methodology and Sources
Live feed-in tariff and usage rate data is sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator's Consumer Data Right (CDR) API, which publishes energy plan details from all NEM retailers. Historical benchmarks use published data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS CPI electricity series), AEMC Residential Electricity Price Trends reports, ESC annual minimum FiT determinations, and QCA regulatory decisions.
Government-paid legacy premium tariffs (e.g. QLD 44c, VIC 60c grandfathered schemes) are excluded from median calculations as they are not available to new solar customers. Western Australia is excluded from live data as it operates outside the NEM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are feed-in tariffs dropping so fast?expand_more
Solar saturation is the main driver. With over 3.7 million rooftop solar systems in Australia, midday electricity supply frequently exceeds demand. Wholesale prices during solar hours have dropped to near zero (and sometimes negative), which means retailers earn very little from your exports and pass that through as lower FiTs.
Will feed-in tariffs ever go back up?expand_more
Unlikely. As more solar is installed each year, midday oversupply will worsen. Some time-of-export tariffs offer slightly higher rates for late afternoon exports, but flat-rate FiTs are expected to continue declining towards zero.
Is it still worth getting solar if feed-in tariffs are so low?expand_more
Yes, because the value of solar has shifted from exporting to self-consumption. Using your own solar saves you 25-35c/kWh (your usage rate), which is 5-7 times more valuable than exporting at 3-5c/kWh. Size your system for daytime consumption, add a battery if needed, and shift loads like hot water, pool pumps, and EV charging to solar hours.
What is the NSW sun tax?expand_more
From July 2025, NSW network operators charge solar households 1.2c per kWh for energy exported to the grid. This "export charge" is designed to fund the network upgrades needed to handle increasing rooftop solar volumes. For a typical 6.6kW system, it costs roughly $44 per year.
Should I get a battery now that feed-in tariffs are so low?expand_more
If your FiT is below 5c/kWh, the economics of batteries have improved significantly. A 10kWh battery storing solar for evening use can save around $2.40 per day ($876 per year) compared to exporting at low FiT rates. With state battery rebates available in most jurisdictions, payback periods are getting shorter.