Victoria no longer has a government-set minimum solar feed-in tariff. Since 1 July 2025, retailers set their own export rate, and it can legally be as low as $0/kWh. Current offers span roughly $0 up to about 8c/kWh on selected plans, though a higher feed-in tariff doesn’t always mean the better overall deal once usage rates are factored in. With electricity usage rates well above any export rate, using your own solar, especially through a battery, is usually worth more per kWh than exporting it.
If you’re searching for the best solar feed in tariff vic has to offer, or the best feed-in tariff solar VIC comparison sites list, the honest answer has changed recently: there’s no longer a single benchmark rate to measure retailers against. It’s now a genuine retailer-by-retailer comparison, and the difference between offers can be significant.
Is there still a Minimum Solar Feed-in Tariff in Victoria?
No, not anymore. The Essential Services Commission (ESC), the regulator that previously set Victoria’s minimum feed-in tariff each year, no longer does so. Following an amendment to the Electricity Industry Act 2000, there has been no mandated minimum feed-in tariff in Victoria since 1 July 2025. Retailers are now free to set their own feed-in tariff, provided it doesn’t fall below $0.00 per kWh.
Before this change, Victoria was the only state with a regulated minimum. That floor is gone, which means the solar feed in tariff vic households are offered today depends entirely on which retailer and plan they’re on, not a rate set by the government.
How VIC Feed-in Tariff Rates Compare Right Now
Because rates are retailer-set and change often, exact figures move around, but the general shape of the market currently looks like this:
| Feed-in tariff band | What it means |
| $0/kWh (the legal floor) | Some retailers offer no export payment at all, which is allowed under the deregulated rules. |
| Roughly 1c–3c/kWh | The most common band across major retailers at the time of writing. |
| Roughly 5c–8c/kWh | Available on selected plans from a smaller number of retailers, often only on the first block of exports each day. |
These are indicative bands based on market comparisons current in late July 2026, not government-published rates. Always check your own retailer’s current offer directly, since rates are reviewed regularly and can vary depending on your electricity network area.
Why the Best Feed-in Tariff isn’t Always the Best Deal
A high feed-in tariff can be a marketing hook rather than the full picture. Some retailers advertise a strong export rate but charge more for the electricity you buy, which can outweigh what you gain on exports. When comparing the highest solar feed in tariff Vic retailers advertise, it’s worth checking the usage rate and any daily supply charge on the same plan, not just the export figure on its own.
Solar Rebates VIC: Don’t Confuse the Rebate with the Tariff
Solar rebates vic households can access and the feed-in tariff are two different things. Solar Victoria administers the state’s solar rebate programs, upfront support toward the cost of installing a system, separate from the ongoing, retailer-set rate paid for electricity exported to the grid. A strong rebate at installation time doesn’t guarantee a strong feed-in tariff afterwards, and vice versa, so it’s worth checking both independently rather than assuming one implies the other. For current eligibility and amounts, Solar Victoria’s own site is the accurate source, since rebate settings change from year to year.
Why Self-Consumption Usually Beats Exporting
With feed-in tariffs this low, and legally allowed to be zero, using the solar you generate rather than exporting it is typically worth more. Electricity usage rates in Victoria generally sit well above any current export rate, so every kilowatt-hour you use directly, or store and use later, is worth more than what most retailers pay for it. Pairing solar with battery storage lets a household shift more of what would otherwise be exported into self-consumption instead, which is usually the better financial outcome under the current deregulated tariff settings.
How to Find the Best Feed-in Tariff for your Home
A few practical steps make this easier than it sounds:
- Check your current retailer’s published feed-in tariff. Retailers must publish their rates; it’s worth confirming what you’re actually on, not what you signed up for originally.
- Compare more than one retailer. Given the spread between $0 and roughly 8c/kWh, switching or renegotiating can make a real difference.
- Ask whether the rate is flat or time-varying. Some plans pay more for exports during certain hours, which can suit some households better than others.
- Factor in your export pattern. A household that exports very little gets less benefit from chasing the highest headline rate than one that regularly exports a lot.
If you’re still deciding on system size before any of this becomes relevant, our residential solar page covers how Sunstainable designs a system around your household’s actual usage first, rather than a standard package.
Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Solar Feed-in Tariff
Does Victoria still have a minimum feed-in tariff?
No. The Essential Services Commission stopped setting a minimum feed-in tariff from 1 July 2025. Retailers now set their own rate, with a legal floor of $0.00 per kWh.
What is the best solar feed-in tariff in Victoria right now?
There’s no single fixed answer, since rates are retailer-set and change regularly. Current offers span roughly $0 up to about 8c/kWh on selected plans, so comparing current retailer offers directly is more reliable than relying on a fixed figure.
Why did Victoria remove the minimum feed-in tariff?
An amendment to the Electricity Industry Act 2000 deregulated the market from 1 July 2025, removing the Essential Services Commission’s role in setting an annual minimum rate.
Is it better to export solar or use a battery in Victoria?
For most households, using solar directly or storing it in a battery is worth more than exporting it, since usage rates are generally well above any current feed-in tariff.
Are solar rebates in Victoria different from feed-in tariffs?
Yes. Solar Victoria administers upfront rebate support for installing solar, which is separate from the ongoing, retailer-set feed-in tariff paid for exported electricity.
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