As Australia’s battery market accelerates, so too does the number of products claiming to be “Australian Made.” But with the market now flooded by imported systems—many rebranded or lightly assembled onshore—it’s becoming harder to distinguish genuine local manufacturing from marketing spin. This lack of transparency is not just misleading for consumers and project partners—it’s undercutting Australian battery manufacturers who invest in local R&D, jobs, and standards.
With the federal government’s Cheaper Home batteries Program to support the clean energy transition now on the table, Australia is at a crossroads:
Will we use this opportunity to build a sovereign, transparent, and competitive clean energy sector—or subsidise offshore manufacturing behind a local sticker?
The answer lies in integrity, transparency, and a collective commitment to building a battery industry that’s truly made for—and in—Australia.
According to the Australian Consumer Law, a product can only be labelled “Made in Australia” if it undergoes substantial transformation onshore.
A substantial transformation is defined as “a fundamental change – in form, appearance or nature such that the goods existing after the change are new and different goods from those existing before the change”.
It means that simple treatments or processing – such as repackaging or mere assembly – are not likely to qualify an otherwise imported good for the ‘Made in Australia’ claim.
It’s also important to note that businesses using the Australian Made logo must be licensed through the Australian Made Campaign and comply with these rules. You can check legitimacy at australianmade.com.au.
Check out this video for a short explanation:
Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Clear origin disclosure is about trust, fairness, and the future of Australia’s clean energy industry.
Here’s why it matters:
Builds Trust
Customers, partners, and procurement teams expect honest communication. When origin is misrepresented, it erodes brand reputation and undermines long-term relationships across the supply chain.
Supports Ethical Buying
Australian buyers are increasingly values-driven. According to our recent survey, many Australians want to buy local, reduce their carbon footprint, and support domestic jobs. Transparency empowers them to make informed decisions.
Protects Real Australian Manufacturers
True Aussie battery makers invest heavily in local R&D, skilled workers, quality control, and standards compliance. When offshore products are rebranded as “local,” it creates an uneven playing field.
Reduces Legal and Commercial Risk
False or misleading “Made in Australia” claims can trigger action from the ACCC, leading to fines, reputational damage, lost tenders, or exclusion from public funding. Transparency supports compliance and protects your brand.
Aligns with ESG Goals
Origin transparency supports credible ESG reporting, circular design, and sustainable procurement. It ensures all stakeholders—from end users to investors—can trace and trust what they’re backing.
Protects the Purpose of Public Subsidies
Australia’s battery subsidies are designed to grow local capability and sovereign industry. Mislabelled imports that receive these incentives undermine that goal—redirecting public funds away from the very manufacturers the policy aims to support.
If we allow lightly assembled imports to be marketed as “Australian,” we risk weakening the very industry government funding is designed to grow.
Real Australian battery manufacturers are building more than products—they’re building national capability. Their work includes:
Yet they face unsustainable price pressure and unfair competition from rebranded imports. Making it harder for local innovators to compete fairly, despite delivering superior value, service, safety and integrity.
At Energy Renaissance, we don’t rebrand—we build and we’re committed to full transparency. So let’s take a look under the hood at what goes into our superRack™ batteries—and where it all comes from:
| Component | Origin |
|---|---|
| Enclosure | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally supplied and manufactured in Australia |
| Battery Management System (BMS) software | Designed and developed by Energy Renaissance & CSIRO in Australia |
| Battery Management System (BMS) hardware | Designed by Energy Renaissance & CSIRO, manufactured in Australia |
| Energy Management System (EMS) | Designed and developed by Energy Renaissance in Australia |
| Module plastics | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally manufactured in Australia |
| Metal battery pack trays | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally manufactured and supplied in Australia |
| Metal faceplates | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally manufactured and supplied in Australia |
| Battery rack metal chassis | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally manufactured and supplied in Australia |
| Busbars | Designed by Energy Renaissance, locally manufactured and supplied in Australia |
| Circuit boards | Designed by Energy Renaissance & CSIRO, manufactured in Australia |
| Fasteners | Sourced through a local distributor |
| *Battery Cells | China, Tier 1 battery cell supplier |
| Cables & Wiring | China. Sourced through a local distributor |
| HVAC | China |
| Pressure Relief Vent | Sourced through Australian distributor, French Manufacturer |
*There are not currently any Australian cell manufacturers, so there are no options to source locally.
Our products meet the “substantially transformed in Australia” criteria under Australian Consumer Law.
And we go further:
Here is a handy checklist that can assist you in determining whether your battery system is Australian Made.
If it sounds too vague, it probably isn’t local. Look for clarity, not just a sticker.
As there are currently no Australian cell manufacturers, it is likely they will be imported. Look for a transparent answer such as, ‘We currently import our cells but assemble and integrate everything locally’
Ask if the BMS hardware and software were designed and engineered locally. Many imported batteries come with pre-programmed BMS units that can’t be serviced in Australia.
Full local assembly—including integration, configuration, and testing—is a strong indicator of genuine Australian content.
The EMS is the brain behind system performance, safety, and control. A locally developed EMS means better support, updates, and cybersecurity compliance.
Reparability and lifecycle support are often limited with imported “black box” batteries. Local manufacturers typically offer spare parts access, serviceable modules and local recycling/take-back programs
Only licensed products that meet strict transformation criteria can use the logo legitimately. Ask for proof. Check here: australianmade.com.au
If the manufacturer is unwilling to disclose where key components come from, that’s a red flag.
Australia is at a turning point in its clean energy journey. If we’re serious about building a sovereign, sustainable battery industry, we need to back businesses that are honest about what’s under the hood.
The newly announced federal battery subsidy presents a critical opportunity to accelerate Australia’s clean energy future—by making storage more accessible, reducing emissions, and strengthening local manufacturing capability. But to ensure this investment delivers lasting value, it must be underpinned by transparency. Without clear origin disclosure and verified local content, taxpayer dollars risk flowing offshore to mass-produced imports offering little benefit to Australia’s economy or energy sovereignty. To safeguard the integrity of this initiative, we need clear labelling and supply chain transparency, procurement policies that favour truly Australian Made solutions as well as education for buyers, EPCs, and distributors on what to look for.
The success of our clean energy transition depends not just on what we build, but where and how we build it.
Don’t just buy the sticker. Peel it off—and ask the hard questions.
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