Browse our range of reports and publications including performance and financial statement audit reports, assurance review reports, information reports and annual reports.
Request for audit
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Response provided
Responded: Saturday 28 February 2026
Contact
Please direct enquiries through our contact page.
The Auditor-General responded on 28 February 2026 to correspondence from Senator Dean Smith dated 9 February 2026, requesting that the Auditor-General conduct an investigation to examine the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Auditor-General's response
28 February 2026
Senator Dean Smith
Shadow Assistant Minister to the Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Assistant Minister for the Cost of Living
Senator for Western Australia
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
By email: Senator.Smith@aph.gov.au
Dear Senator Smith
Request for audit of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Thank you for your correspondence dated 9 February 2026 requesting a performance audit of the effectiveness of the Clean Energy Regulator’s delivery of the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has commenced development of the ANAO 2026–27 Annual Audit Work Program (AAWP), and during this process I will consider the topic that you proposed. The AAWP reflects the ANAO's audit strategy and informs the Parliament, government entities and the public of the planned audit coverage for the Australian Government sector. The 2026–27 AAWP will be published on the ANAO website in July 2026.
If in the development of the AAWP I decide to commence an audit of this program, details will be provided on the ANAO’s Performance audits in progress webpage. The duration of a standard performance audit is eight to ten months, balanced with other priorities across the ANAO’s program of work.
Yours sincerely
Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM
Auditor-General
Correspondence from Senator Dean Smith
Transcript of letter from Senator Dean Smith
Dr Caralee Mcliesh PSM
Auditor-General
Australian National Audit Office
GPO Rox 707
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Via email: External.Relations@anao.gov.au
9 February 2026
Dear Auditor-General,
Inquiry into the Cheaper Home Batteries Program
I write to request that the Australian National Audit Offrce undertake an inquiry into the effectiveness of the Clean Energy Regulator's delivery of the Australian Government's
Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
On 13 December 2025, the Government announced the program's funding would be increased from its original estimate of $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion over the next four years.
With this significant funding increase, there exists a need to urgently inquire and report on the capacity and effectiveness of the delivery of this program. Ideally, findings should be published prior to the 1 May 2026 program changes.
I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Dean Smith