SCA Calls for Apartment and Strata Inclusion in Federal Battery Policy

The Strata Community Association (SCA) Australasia has cautiously welcomed the Labor Party’s recent $2.3 billion federal election energy pledge to subsidise household battery installations—but is calling for greater clarity around if it will include the five million Australians living in strata and apartment residents.

Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the policy proposes a 30% discount on home battery systems, aiming to facilitate the installation of one million new battery units across the country by 2030. It forms part of a broader push to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy, ease pressure on the energy grid, and reduce household power bills.

But the announcement has raised pressing questions from the strata sector—namely, whether residents in strata-titled homes will be eligible to access the subsidy. Around one in five Australians live in apartments or strata communities, and many may not be in a position to take advantage of the initiative under the policy’s current framing.

SCA Australasia President Joshua Baldwin says that; ”while the move is commendable in its intent, energy reforms must be inclusive of all Australians—not just those in free-standing homes”.

“While the federal battery subsidy is a step forward, strata communities must be included in these energy reforms if we are to ensure equitable access and foster a truly sustainable future,” Mr Baldwin said.

Over the past decade, SCA has championed equitable access to renewable technologies for strata residents, advocating for programs and policies that address the distinct challenges that come with multi-owner, multi-resident buildings. These challenges include shared electrical infrastructure, outdated wiring, lack of individual metering, and complex approval processes for upgrades within owners’ corporations.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution,” Mr Baldwin added. “Tailored policies that address the unique challenges of multi-owner dwellings are required when proposing government initiatives. We need to ensure that policymakers are thinking about all housing types—especially when those homes account for a growing portion of Australia’s population.”

Despite the hurdles, there have been encouraging signs of progress. In recent years, initiatives like the Solar for Apartments programs in New South Wales and Victoria have provided a blueprint for how targeted funding and policy can support solar energy uptake in high-density living environments. Similarly, the National Electric Vehicle Strategy has recognised the importance of enabling EV infrastructure in apartment buildings, a direct result of ongoing consultation with stakeholders like SCA.

SCA has also secured representation in key government forums, including apartment energy disclosure roundtables, ensuring the voices of strata communities are heard in national energy conversations.

“We’ve seen governments do it—and do it well—when they’re aware of the challenges. We’ll continue working to raise awareness about strata living and how it can be meaningfully included in policy initiatives,” Mr Baldwin said.

SCA is now calling on the federal government to clearly outline how strata-titled properties will be accommodated under the proposed battery rebate scheme. This includes addressing key implementation questions—such as installation logistics in apartment complexes, ownership structures for battery assets, cost-sharing mechanisms, and eligibility criteria for buildings with communal solar arrays.

For SCA, the goal is simple: to ensure that all Australians—regardless of whether they live in a townhouse, unit block, or high-rise tower—have equal opportunity to participate in the country’s energy transition.

“We want to see energy and sustainability policies that are inclusive by design,” Mr Baldwin said. “That means recognising the scale and needs of strata living and responding with solutions that work in the real world.”

As the federal election campaign continues and energy remains a key issue for voters, SCA is urging all political parties to engage with the strata sector and ensure their policies deliver for this critical and growing segment of the population.