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Essential Services Commission (ESC)

Feed-in Tariff Guide Victoria

Exporting solar power you don't use back to the grid earns you a credit � the feed-in tariff. Here's how the minimum rate is set, how it differs from retailer offers, and a direct link to the current official rate.

Official Minimum Feed-in Tariff

Set annually by the Essential Services Commission (ESC Victoria) � the current rate is published on their site.

View Current Rate
The Basics

What is a feed-in tariff?

When your solar system generates more power than your home is using, the surplus flows out to the grid. Your electricity retailer pays you for that exported energy at a rate called the feed-in tariff � it shows up as a credit line on your power bill, working alongside your usual usage charges.

The Floor

Minimum Feed-in Tariff

Set annually by the ESC. Every Victorian retailer must pay at least this rate for solar exports.

  • Reviewed and updated each financial year
  • Can vary by time of day under some tariff structures
  • Applies automatically if your retailer offers no more
The Ceiling Is Open

Retailer & Market Offers

Many retailers voluntarily pay above the ESC minimum, especially on competitive or bundled plans.

  • Rates vary retailer to retailer � comparison pays off
  • Some plans trade a higher feed-in rate for higher usage rates
  • Worth reviewing annually as offers change
What Affects Your Earnings

Three things that change your feed-in return

The published rate is only half the picture � how much you actually earn depends on more than just cents per kWh.

1

How much you export

The more solar energy you generate beyond your own household use, the more gets exported and credited � system size and daytime usage habits both play a role.

2

Your retailer's rate

Retailers set their own feed-in tariff at or above the ESC minimum � the same solar export can earn different amounts depending on who you're with.

3

Time-varying structures

Some plans pay different feed-in rates by time of day, reflecting when solar exports are most or least valuable to the grid.

Why we don't print a fixed rate on this page

The ESC minimum feed-in tariff is reviewed and updated annually, and retailer offers change even more often. Any figure printed here could quickly go out of date. For the current official minimum, use the ESC link above � and when comparing retailer plans, always check their current published feed-in rate directly with them.

Common Questions

Feed-in Tariff FAQs

What is a feed-in tariff?
A feed-in tariff is the rate your electricity retailer pays you for solar energy your system exports back to the grid � energy you generate but don't use yourself. It appears as a credit on your electricity bill, offsetting what you pay for grid electricity.
What is the minimum feed-in tariff in Victoria?
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) sets a minimum feed-in tariff rate for Victoria each financial year, which retailers must pay at minimum. This rate changes annually and can also vary by time of day under time-varying tariff structures. The current rate is published on the ESC website.
Can I get a higher feed-in tariff than the minimum?
Yes. The ESC minimum is a floor, not a cap � many retailers offer feed-in tariffs above the minimum, particularly as part of competitive plans or bundled solar deals. Comparing retailer offers, rather than assuming you're stuck with the minimum, can meaningfully increase your export earnings.
Does battery storage affect my feed-in tariff earnings?
Indirectly, yes. A battery stores surplus solar for your own evening use instead of exporting it immediately, which can reduce your feed-in credits but increase your savings on grid electricity you'd otherwise buy � the right balance depends on your household's usage pattern and your retailer's rates.

Not sure what you're currently earning?

We can review your system size, usage pattern and current retailer plan to see if you're getting a competitive feed-in rate.

Talk to Our Team View Official ESC Rate
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