With cost-of-living pressures, there are many Australians who are struggling to pay their energy bills. But you don’t need to struggle on your own – there are a range of support options available to you. Federal, state and territory governments have a variety of concessions and rebates to support Australians afford essential services and help them meet their energy needs.
Am I eligible?
Each government (federal, state, and territory) has a range of concessions and rebates. What you are eligible for will differ based on your location.
Additionally, your circumstances will dictate what support you can receive. In most instances, you will need a concession or pensioner card to access these rebates. However, there are some exceptions to this.
Every person will be different so it’s important to check what you can access.
What else do I need to know?
It’s not always straight forward to access a concession or rebate. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process:
- If you or someone in your household is a concession card holder, the energy bill must be registered in the name of the concession card holder to be eligible to access the concession.
- If you move homes or switch energy providers, you’ll need to make sure the rebate has been applied to the new account.
- Set a reminder in your diary at the start of the year to see if you need to reapply for any concessions or rebates. They don’t all automatically roll over.
- If your household is registered for using a life support machine, you cannot be disconnected.
What concessions and rebates exist?
We’ve put together a list of energy concessions and rebates that you might be able to access. The options listed may not be an exhaustive list of all support available and are subject to change. Visit DCCEEW’s website for a full list of options: https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates
Federal Government
- National Energy Bill Relief – receive between a $175 and $700 one-off bill payment towards your electricity bills.
- Energy Supplement – an extra payment to assist with energy costs.
- Utilities Allowance – a quarterly payment to help with household bills.
NSW
- Family Energy Rebate – discounts for those who receive Family Tax Benefits.
- Low Income Household Rebate – assists low-income households cover their energy bills.
- Life Support Energy Rebate – rebates for people on energy-intensive life support machines.
- Medical Energy Rebate – support for those unable to self-regulate body temperature.
- NSW Gas Rebate – helps customers using bottled LPG for basic household needs.
- Seniors Energy Rebate – available for self-funded retirees.
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme – assistance to pay your electricity or gas bills.
Victoria
- Annual Electricity Concession – a concession on domestic mains electric use and service costs.
- Life Support Concession – rebates for people on energy-intensive life support machines.
- Medical Cooling Concession – a concession on electricity bills related to medically required cooling.
- Service to Property Charge Concession – discounts for low energy use.
- Excess Electricity Concession – rebates for high energy users.
- Electricity Transfer Fee Waiver – concession holders can have their electricity service connected for free when moving house.
- Winter Gas Concession – discounts on your gas bill.
- Excess Gas Concession – for high gas usage bills.
- Non-Mains Energy Concession – assists those who use non-mains energy for their heating, cooking, and hot water.
- Power Saving Bonus – receive a one-off payment for comparing if you’re on the best energy deal using Victora’s Energy compare website.
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme – support to pay overdue energy bills for those experiencing unexpected hardship.
Queensland
- Electricity and Gas Rebates – concessions for pensioners and seniors.
- Electricity Life Support – rebates for people on energy-intensive life support machines.
- Medically Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme – assists with electricity costs for people with a chronic medical condition.
- Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme – emergency assistance to pay an electricity or gas bill.
- Cost of Living Rebate for Households – rebate on electricity bills.
South Australia
- Energy Bill Concessions – assistance for low-income households to pay their energy bills.
- SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) – gives you extra discounts if your retailer is Origin Energy.
- Medical Heating and Cooling Concession – assists with electricity costs for people with a chronic medical condition.
- Cost of Living Concession – assists people on low incomes with living expenses including energy bills.
- Residential Park Resident Concession – for those living in residential and caravan parks with eligible concessions.
- Home Dialysis Electricity Concession – an electricity concession for those requiring dialysis treatment at home.
- Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme – for households in a financial crisis unable to pay their electricity debt.
Tasmania
- Annual Electricity Concession – provides a daily electricity discount to eligible customers.
- Heating Allowance – discounts for eligible pensioners to help with heating costs.
- Life Support Concession – daily discounts for people on energy-intensive life support machines.
- Medical Cooling or Heating Concession – assists with electricity costs for people with a chronic medical condition.
Western Australia
- Energy Assistance Payment – support for concession holders to pay your electricity bills.
- Energy Concession Extension Scheme – an annual payment to assist with energy costs for eligible concession card holders in embedded networks. OR an annual payment to assist with energy costs for eligible concession card holders who are not supplied electricity by Synergy or Horizon Power (e.g. purchase electricity from caravan park operator or strata company, etc).
- Hardship Utility Grant Scheme – assists customers in financial hardship and unable to pay their utility bills.
- Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy – assists eligible concession card holders with energy costs associated with life support equipment.
- Electricity Account Establishment Fee Rebate – a rebate to offset the cost of setting up a new electricity account.
- Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy – a subsidy to support those who require heating or cooling to control the temperature in their home, due to specialist medical advice.
- Air Conditioning Rebate – subsidies the cost of running an air conditioner for eligible concession card holders in areas that are deemed high heat discomfort locations during the hottest months of the year.
Northern Territory
- NT Concession Scheme – electricity concessions for eligible pensioners and concession holders. Specific concessions also exist for those on pre-paid electricity meters, living in a caravan park, or using alternative energy.
- NT Seniors Recognition Scheme – a payment to spend on items including utility bills.
ACT
- Utilities Concession Scheme – an energy rebate for eligible households.
- Life Support Rebate – rebates for people on energy-intensive life support machines.
What other support can I access?
There’s a range of other support that you can access including speaking to your energy provider, seeing if you’re on the best energy deal, contacting the national debt helpline, and speaking to your ombudsmen. For more information, see our factsheet here.
Remember, if you are concerned about your energy bill, even if it’s only temporary, act now so you can get help as soon as possible.