Home battery safety: what you need to know before you buy (Victoria)
With the Australian Government’s new Cheaper Home Batteries Program rolling out from 1 July 2025, many households are now exploring the option of installing a home battery.
But while the potential savings and comfort of storing your solar may be attractive, it’s hugely important that Aussies don’t overlook safety in the great battery rush.
To help, we’ve spoken to Sandy Atkins from Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) to learn about the key things everyone should consider before installing a home battery.
Key points in a nutshell:
- Know the questions to ask your supplier
- Don’t let price trump safety
- Be aware of the safety standards
- Battery placement and location is important for safety
Don’t let price trump safety
According to ESV, one of the most overlooked aspects when deciding on a home battery is letting price overshadow quality.
We asked Sandy what questions he thinks customers should ask their suppliers and installers when buying a battery, they include:
- How long have you been installing or selling batteries?
- What after-sales support do you provide? Will they help with warranty claims, or do they leave it all to the manufacturer?
- Do you assess my home in person? Site visits ensure the battery is installed in the safest and most efficient location.
- Do you analyse my energy use data? This helps size the battery appropriately for your household’s needs.
Beyond installation, ongoing support and monitoring are also important to safety. Ask if your battery provider:
- Offers local customer support,
- Monitors the system remotely for free, and/or
- Can perform remote software updates.
These services not only make your life easier but also help identify issues early and ensure the system operates safely over time.
If you’re not satisfied with any responses to these questions, then it might be a sign to look elsewhere. So, while price is important, don’t let it be the only driver of your decision-making and ask the experts what you’d like to know. It’s your battery and your home.
Safety standards to know
In Victoria, home battery installations must be carried out by a licensed electrician, and for rebate eligibility, the installer must be SAA-accredited. Equipment should also be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list. Your supplier should be able to provide evidence of compliance.
Can batteries catch fire and what protection is in place to prevent that?
It’s a valid concern. While the risk is low, any system storing energy carries some hazard. ESV says that a correctly installed and maintained battery should be safe, and the location and position of the battery matters.
For example, batteries exposed to weather extremes or physical damage — such as being placed in full sun, or in a driveway without protection from vehicles — are more likely to fail. Following manufacturer guidance and in situ design, such as a shade or bollards, reduces these risks significantly.
Inside or outside: Where’s safest?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as “it depends on the battery… the best place is somewhere dry with a fairly consistent temperature,” Atkins explains. A protected garage or shaded exterior wall may be ideal — but again, that decision should be made by a qualified installer after assessing your property. There are both electronics and chemical storage in a battery that need to be considered.
What about bushfires, floods or power surges?
Batteries are tested for power surges, but if one occurs, it’s best to turn the system off and have it tested before using it again. In the case of bushfires or floods, damage can vary dramatically. If a surrounding structure is destroyed the battery probably will be too. Households in high-risk areas should raise these concerns with their installer, and consider placement and additional protective measures accordingly.
Where to Learn More
For more information and independent resources on home battery safety, ESV recommends: