Feed-In Tariffs in Australia Explained: Is Exporting Your Solar Still Worth It?
If you have rooftop solar, you have probably noticed a small credit on your electricity bill for the power you send back to the grid. You may also have noticed that the credit looks smaller than it used to, or that a friend on a different plan is getting a different rate.
It raises a fair question: is exporting your solar still worth it?
The short answer is yes, but it is now a small part of what solar is worth to you. Feed-in tariffs in Australia have fallen well below the price you pay to buy electricity, which means the biggest savings come from using your own solar power, not from selling it.
This guide explains how feed-in tariffs work, what they are paying now, what is changing, and how to get more value from your system.
What Is a Feed-In Tariff?
A feed-in tariff is the amount your electricity retailer pays you for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. It is shown on your plan as a rate in cents per kWh.
It is separate from what you pay to buy electricity. Your plan has a usage rate for the power you draw from the grid and a feed-in rate for the power you send back, and the two are very different numbers.
What Are Feed-In Tariffs Paying in Australia Now?
Feed-in tariffs differ by state, network and retailer, and they change often. Here is where things stand in the states DSW Energy works in.
New South Wales
NSW does not have a mandatory minimum. Instead, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) publishes a benchmark. For 2026-27, IPART's all-day benchmark is 3.4 to 6.5 cents per kWh, down from 4.8 to 7.3 cents in 2025-26. Retailers are not required to stay within that range. They may offer more, less, or no feed-in tariff at all.
Victoria
Victoria used to set a regulated minimum each year. The Essential Services Commission cut the minimum flat feed-in tariff to 0.04 cents per kWh from 1 July 2025, down from 3.3 cents the year before. Retailers can still offer more than the minimum, so it pays to compare plans.
Queensland and South Australia
In South East Queensland and South Australia, there is no state-set minimum, so retailers decide what to pay. Rates vary between retailers and between plans, so the figure on your bill depends on who you are with.
Because plans change regularly, check current offers on the government's Energy Made Easy website before you compare.
Why Are Feed-In Tariffs So Much Lower Than What You Pay for Power?
It comes down to when your solar is exported. IPART bases its benchmark on the wholesale price of electricity at the times solar is exported, and it notes that retail prices are much higher than solar feed-in tariffs because retail prices also cover the higher cost of electricity when solar is not exporting.
In the middle of the day, so much rooftop solar is feeding into the grid that wholesale prices are low. IPART's own benchmarks show that the value of exports is lower through the middle of the day and higher in the late afternoon and night.
So, Is Exporting Your Solar Still Worth It?
Yes, you are still paid for what you export, and it all adds up over a year. But every kWh you use at home is a kWh you do not have to buy at the full retail rate, while every kWh you export earns only a few cents.
As a simple example, using made-up round numbers: if you export 10 kWh at 5 cents, you earn 50 cents. If you use those same 10 kWh at home and would otherwise have paid 30 cents per kWh, you avoid $3.00 in costs. The exact figures depend on your plan, but the pattern is the same.
IPART says the same thing: most customers get the best value by using the solar they generate, and a plan with the highest feed-in tariff may not be the best deal overall.
New Rules and Charges That Affect Solar Exports
Network Export Charges
Some electricity networks now have two-way pricing, which can include a charge for exports. For example, SA Power Networks charges retailers 1 cent per kWh for exports above 9 kWh a day between 10am and 4pm. The charge applies to excess exports only, so the more of your solar you use yourself, the less likely it is to apply.
In NSW, Ausgrid's two-way pricing is designed to encourage customers to use their solar in the middle of the day or send exports to the grid later in the day. Retailers can choose how they structure it for customers, so it is worth asking your retailer how it applies to your plan.
Solar Sharer Offer
Since 1 July 2026, households in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland have been able to opt in to the Solar Sharer Offer, which provides up to three hours of free electricity a day in the middle of the day. The window is 11am to 2pm in NSW and South East Queensland and 12pm to 3pm in South Australia. It is another sign that midday power is now cheap, and that shifting your usage to the middle of the day is where the value is. You can read more in our earlier Solar Sharer guides on the DSW Energy blog.
How to Get More Value From Your Solar
Use more of your solar during the day by running the dishwasher, washing machine, pool pump or hot water system while the sun is out.
Compare the whole electricity plan, not just the feed-in tariff, because a high feed-in rate can come with higher usage charges.
Ask your retailer whether a time-varying feed-in tariff is available. IPART notes that retailers can offer different rates across the day to reflect changes in wholesale prices.
Review your plan regularly, because rates and offers change.
Consider adding a battery so your surplus solar is stored instead of exported at low midday rates.
Where a Home Battery Fits In
With midday exports worth so little and evening power worth more, a battery changes how your solar works. Instead of sending your surplus to the grid for a few cents, you can store it and use it in the evening, when you would otherwise be buying electricity at the retail price.
A battery will not suit every home, and the right size depends on how much solar you generate and when you use power. Getting the system design right matters more than the equipment alone, and that is where an experienced installer can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still get paid for exporting solar?
Usually yes, but the rate depends on your retailer and your plan. Some plans pay very little, and a retailer is not required to offer a feed-in tariff in some states.
Is the feed-in tariff the same with every retailer?
No. Retailers set their own rates, which can vary between plans, so it is worth comparing offers.
Should I choose the plan with the highest feed-in tariff?
Not necessarily. A high feed-in rate can be paired with higher usage prices, so look at the full cost of the plan based on how much power you use and how much you export.
Will feed-in tariffs go up again?
Nobody can promise that. The recent trend has been down, because rooftop solar adds a lot of supply in the middle of the day. This is one reason using your own solar, or storing it, has become more important.
Ready to Make the Most of Your Solar?
If you have solar and want to get more value from it, or you are thinking about adding a battery or upgrading your system, DSW Energy can help you understand which options make sense for your home and energy use.
DSW Energy provides solar, battery and energy solutions across South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Call DSW Energy on 1300 958 778 to discuss your options.
