Australian households are about to get access to something that would have sounded impossible a few years ago, three hours of free electricity every day.
From July 1 2026, the government is mandating that electricity retailers must offer a three-hour free power window in the middle of the day. This will be available to customers in Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, 1 July 2026 with Victoria to follow from July 1, 2027.
It is a government-mandated program that every electricity provider must support.
But here’s the catch. To truly benefit from those three free hours, you need the right setup at home.
Why a Battery Is the Key to Free Power
Free electricity sounds great, but most households are not home in the middle of the day using large amounts of power. Without a battery, a lot of that free energy simply goes unused.
A home battery changes everything.
With grid-to-battery charging enabled, your battery can automatically charge during the three free hours. That means you are effectively storing free electricity to use later in the evening, overnight, or during peak pricing periods.
Instead of just getting three free hours, you are spreading that benefit across your entire day.
Perfect for Homes With Limited Solar
This program is especially powerful for households who cannot fully charge a battery from solar alone.
If your roof has shading issues or limited space, free grid charging lets you top up your battery anyway. You are no longer relying solely on sunshine to fill it.
Even homes without solar panels can benefit. A battery alone allows you to store free grid electricity and reduce your reliance on paid power during the most expensive times of day.
Should You Get Panels Too?
If you have the roof space and good sun exposure, solar panels are still the best long-term solution. They give you control over your energy costs regardless of future policy changes, and they work hand in hand with a battery.
That said, the free power program may not last forever. If you are unsure or want to spread out the investment, you can start with a battery now, take advantage of the free electricity while it is available, and add solar panels later if the program changes.
A battery gives you flexibility either way.
Why Acting Now Makes Sense
This program creates a rare opportunity where the grid is effectively paying you in energy. Households with batteries will be first to benefit, and demand is expected to rise quickly as more people understand how it works.
Installing a battery now means you are ready from day one, locking in lower energy bills and getting maximum value from the free power window while it exists.
Free electricity is coming. A battery is how you keep it.
