Best Feed-in Tariff NSW (2026 Guide): Rates, Benchmark and Real Savings

Name: Tally Energy Group
Address: Sydney, NSW, 2150, AU
Telephone: 1800 945 085

Best feed in tariff NSW depends on more than the headline export rate. This 2026 guide explains what NSW retailers pay for exported solar, the IPART benchmark for 2026-27, and how to compare whole plans, with worked examples that show their assumptions.

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A feed-in tariff (FIT) is the credit your electricity retailer pays you for the surplus solar power your system exports to the grid. In NSW it is set by each retailer, so rates and conditions differ between plans and change over time.

Last updated: October 2026.

What Is a Feed-in Tariff (FIT)?

If your panels produce more power than your home is using, the extra energy flows to the grid and your retailer credits you a set amount per kWh. In NSW:

FITs are set by retailers, not by the government
Rates vary by plan, retailer and sometimes by time of day
A higher FIT does not automatically mean a lower bill

The 2026-27 IPART Benchmark: 3.4c to 6.5c per kWh

Each year IPART publishes a benchmark range for solar feed-in tariffs in NSW. For 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 the all-day range is 3.4c to 6.5c per kWh, down from 4.8c to 7.3c in 2025-26. The benchmark is a reference for what retailers could reasonably pay. It is not mandatory, so some retailers pay more and some pay less. Source: IPART 2026-27 fact sheet.

The lower benchmark is one reason more households now use solar power in the home, or store it in a battery, rather than relying on export income.

How to Find the Best Feed-in Tariff in NSW

Retailer plans change often, so this guide does not list a retailer table that would go out of date. Instead, compare current plans for your own address on the government comparison site Energy Made Easy and check these items together, not the FIT alone:

Feed-in rate: the cents per kWh credit, and whether it applies all day or only at certain times.
Usage rates: what you pay per kWh for electricity you draw from the grid.
Daily supply charge: a fixed daily cost that applies whatever you export.
Conditions: lock-in periods, exit fees, minimum export or bundling requirements and any bonus that ends after a set time.
Your network area: Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy customers have different default market offer benchmarks.

Does a Higher FIT Mean Lower Bills?

Not always. Some plans pay a high feed-in rate but charge more for usage or supply. As a simple illustration with made-up rates:

Plan A: FIT 12c, usage 34c per kWh, daily charge $1.15
Plan B: FIT 8c, usage 28c per kWh, daily charge $1.00

For a household that exports little but uses a lot of grid power in the evening, Plan B can cost less overall even though its FIT is lower. Run your own numbers using your bill, not these example rates.

How Much Can You Earn from a Feed-in Tariff?

Export income depends on how much solar you export, which depends on system size, orientation and how much you use during the day. As an illustration only, assume a household exports 14 kWh per day (about 5,100 kWh per year):

FIT rate	Approximate yearly credit
3.4c (bottom of 2026-27 IPART range)	$174
5c	$255
6.5c (top of 2026-27 IPART range)	$332
10c (some retailer plans)	$511

Yearly credit = daily export x FIT rate x 365. Your actual export will differ. Export credits reduce your bill but rarely cancel it.

Feed-in Tariffs with a Solar Battery

A battery stores midday solar for use in the evening, so you export less and earn less FIT. Because grid electricity usually costs much more than the FIT, using your own solar later can be worth more than selling it. Whether that adds up depends on your usage, battery size, price and incentives. See our guides to the federal battery rebate and solar batteries in Sydney.

Solar Sharer Offer from 1 July 2026

Customers in NSW default market offer areas can access the Solar Sharer Offer, which provides three consecutive free midday hours (up to 24 kWh per day) on eligible plans. It needs a smart meter and does not require rooftop solar. If you are comparing plans, check whether a Solar Sharer plan or a solar feed-in plan suits your usage better. Source: energy.gov.au.

Common Myths About FIT in NSW

Myth: the highest FIT means the biggest saving. Usage and supply charges often matter more.
Myth: the government pays the FIT. NSW retailers pay it. IPART only publishes a benchmark.
Myth: batteries increase FIT income. They reduce export, so FIT income falls.
Myth: you should switch plans only for the FIT. Compare the whole plan.

FAQ: Feed-in Tariff NSW

What is a good feed-in tariff in NSW in 2026?

The IPART 2026-27 benchmark is 3.4c to 6.5c per kWh. Rates above that range are better than the benchmark, but check usage and supply charges before switching.

Does the feed-in tariff change every year?

IPART updates its benchmark each 1 July, and retailers can change their rates and plans during the year.

Can I choose any retailer?

In most cases yes, subject to your plan’s contract terms and exit fees.

Does a battery reduce my feed-in income?

Yes, because you export less. The battery can still save money by reducing evening grid use.

Final Recommendation for NSW Homeowners

The best feed-in tariff NSW offers depends on your system size, daily export and electricity usage. With the 2026-27 benchmark at 3.4c to 6.5c, most of the value of solar now comes from using it at home, so compare whole plans and consider system size and a battery. If you want help sizing a system for your home, Tally Energy Group offers a free quote.