Woman using smartphone to claim her energy bill relief rebate

2023 Energy Bill Relief Fund: Check if you’re eligible and claim your rebate

Published: 4th September 2023

The Australian Government is partnering with state and territory governments to provide up to $3 billion in electricity bill relief for eligible households and small businesses in financial year 23/24.

Find out if you’re eligible, how to claim and when you can expect to see your share.

If you’re an individual or household you’ve come to the right place, small businesses can find what they need on our small business energy bill relief page.


Energy bill relief concessions and rebates for households – state by state

The states and territories will each administer Energy Bill Relief independently and, of course, they’re all doing things a little bit differently.

Choose your state to skip ahead to the info that’s relevant to you:

VIC
NSW

SA
QLD

TAS
ACT

WA
NT




Energy Bill Relief for VIC households

VIC Energy Bill Relief Rebate

Am I eligible for the rebate? In Victoria, the Energy Bill Relief will apply for all existing energy concession holders along with a few additional groups. These include those receiving a Carer Allowance, Family Tax Benefit A & B or who currently hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.


Concession holders who receive the existing energy concession

If you’re already receiving an energy concession, you’re eligible. This includes households where the decision maker has any of the following cards:

  • Health Care Card (HCC) issued by Services Australia
  • Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) issued by Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Card (all conditions)

How much will I get (and when)?

You’ll receive $250 per eligible household. It’ll be paid in two instalments of $125, the first in August 2023 and the second in February 2024.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and already receiving a concession, then you don’t need to do anything to receive your payment. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a concession, you can register via MyAccount or by calling our contact centre.


Customers who don’t usually receive energy concessions

You’ll qualify for the energy concession this financial year if the decision maker in the household receives/holds:

  • Carer Allowance
  • Family Tax Benefit A & B
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (SHC) issued by Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
  • Veteran’s Affairs Gold Card (Dependant)

How much will I get (and when)

You’ll receive $250 per eligible household. It’ll be paid in one lump sum from November 2023.

What do I need to do?

Recipients of a Carer Allowance, Family Tax Benefit A & B and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card’s issued by Services Australia will receive a letter from Services Australia with instructions outlining what you need to do. Once you’ve given consent, we’ll apply payment within three months.

DVA card holders will need to call us directly to register.


Embedded network customers

Eligible customers who live in an embedded network (such as an apartment block or caravan park) and do not have a direct billing relationship with us will not automatically receive a payment. They will qualify for a direct payment from the Victorian Government. Further information will be provided by The Department on how to access the concession.

For more info, visit Help paying your bills on the Victorian government website.

Eligible households can also access the $250 Power Saving Bonus via the Victoria Energy Compare website (once off from 24 March 2023).





Energy Bill Relief for NSW households

NSW Energy Bill Relief Rebate

Am I eligible? In New South Wales, the Energy Bill Relief will apply for all existing energy rebate recipients, along with several new groups. New additions include holders of a Low-Income Health Care Card, Senior Health Card or other DVA Gold Card as well as recipients of Carers Allowance or Family Tax Benefit A&B.


Concession holders who receive the existing energy rebate

If you’re already receiving an energy rebate, you’re eligible. This includes households where the decision maker is a holder/recipient of:

Depending on which group you’re in, the rules vary slightly.


Holders of Health Care Card (Medical Energy Rebate), Pensioner Concession Card (Low Income), DVA Gold Cards marked with either ‘War Widow’, ‘War Widower Pension’, TPI or EDA and recipients of Life Support Rebate

How much will I get (and when)?

If you’re in one of these groups, you’ll receive $500 per eligible household in energy bill relief. It’ll be paid in four quarterly instalments of $125. Instalments are scheduled for early August and early November in 2023, then early February and early May in 2024.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and already receiving a rebate, then you don’t need to do anything to receive your rebate. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a rebate, you can register via MyAccount or call our contact centre.


Recipients of Family Tax Benefit A and B

In NSW, recipients of Family Tax Benefit A and B are eligible for energy bill relief.

How much will I get (and when)

If you’re already receiving a rebate, you’ll receive $500 paid in four quarterly instalments of $125 starting from August 2023. If you aren’t currently receiving a rebate and apply for the Family Energy Rebate in FY23/24 you will receive $500 in a single lump sum within a few months of becoming eligible. All payments will be applied directly to your bill.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible for Family Tax Benefit A & B and already receiving a rebate, you won’t have to do anything to receive your payment. If you are eligible but not yet receiving a rebate, then you can register via Service NSW.


Seniors Health Care Card Holders

In NSW, customers who hold a Seniors Health Card are eligible for energy bill relief.

How much will I get (and when)?

You’ll receive $500 per eligible household, paid in one lump sum in early August 2023. The money will be paid directly to your nominated bank account by the Office of Energy and Climate Change.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and receiving a rebate, then you won’t need to do anything to receive your payment. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a rebate you can register via Services Australia.


Customers who don’t usually receive an energy rebate

Several new groups will also qualify for energy bill relief this financial year. In NSW, customers are eligible if the decision maker in the household holds/receives:

  • Low-Income Health Care Card
  • All other DVA Gold Cards
  • Carers allowance

Depending on which of the new groups you’re in, the process may vary slightly.


How much will I get (and when)?

If you belong to any of these groups, you’re eligible to receive $500 per eligible household.

Payment will be applied directly to your bill within three months of your eligibility being verified. All payments will be made before 31 July 2024.

What do I need to do?

Carers and Low-Income Health Care Card holders will receive a letter from Services Australia with instructions outlining what you need to do. Once you’ve given consent, we’ll apply payment within three months.

For DVA gold card holders, the DVA will contact you to obtain consent and then request you contact Momentum.


Embedded network customers

Eligible customers who live in an embedded network (such as an apartment block or caravan park) will not automatically receive a rebate. The Department is expected to provide more information on this after October 2023. October 2023.

For more info, visit National Energy Bill Relief on the New South Wales government website.





Energy Bill Relief for SA households

SA Energy Bill Relief Rebate

Am I eligible? In South Australia, Energy Bill Relief will apply for all existing energy concession holders along with several new groups. New groups include recipients of Family Tax Benefit A and B, Carer Allowance, all DVA Gold Card holders, Health Care Card holders (without a prescribed payment). Additionally, Switch for Solar customers, non-primary account holders and customers who fail resident income criteria for SA Energy Concessions will be contacted by the Department of Human Services if they’re eligible.


Concession holders who receive the existing energy rebate

If you’re already receiving an energy concession, you’re eligible. This includes households where the decision maker holds/receives:

  • Pensioner Concession Card (including those issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
  • Low Income Health Care Card
  • DVA Gold Cards (TPI, EDA, War Widow and 80+ impairment points)
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (including those issued by DVA)
  • JobSeeker Payment
  • Youth Allowance
  • Partner Allowance
  • Parenting Payment
  • Special Benefit
  • Community Development Program
  • ABSTUDY
  • Austudy
  • Farm Household Allowance (FHA)
  • War Widow Pension (UK or NZ)
  • Eligible customers under the existing DHS SA energy concession

How much will I get (and when)?

This group of SA residents will receive $500 per eligible household, paid in four quarterly instalments of $125 starting from 31 July 2023.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and already receiving a concession, then you don’t need to do anything to receive your payment. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a concession, you need to contact ConcessionsSA to add the concession. Call their hotline on 1800 307 758.


Customers who don’t usually receive energy concessions

Several new groups will also qualify for energy bill relief in financial year 23/24. In South Australia, customers are eligible if the decision maker in the household receives/holds:

  • Family Tax Benefit A and B
  • Carer Allowance
  • Other DVA Gold Cards
  • Health Care Card (without a prescribed payment)
  • Switch for Solar customers, non-primary account holders and customers who fail the other resident income criteria for SA Energy Concessions will be contacted by the Department of Human Services if they’re eligible

How much will I get (and when)?

If you belong to one of these groups, you’re eligible to receive $500 per eligible household. The payment will arrive in four quarterly instalments of $125 (2 October 2023, 2 January 2024, 1 April 2024 and 1 July 2024).

What do I need to do?

If you receive a Carer allowance or Family Tax Benefit, you don’t need to do anything. Services Australia will be in touch if any action is required.

If you hold a DVA Gold Card, The Department of Human Services will contact you to obtain consent and advise of next steps to receive your payment.


Embedded network customers

Eligible customers who live in an embedded network (such as an apartment block or caravan park) will be identified, validated, and have their energy bill relief paid by the Department of Human Services.

For more info, visit Energy bill relief on the South Australian Government website.






Energy Bill Relief for QLD households

QLD Energy Bill Relief Rebate

Am I eligible? Yes, every household in Queensland is eligible for some form of energy bill relief.


Concession holders who receive the existing energy rebate

All customers who currently receive an annual Queensland Electricity Rebate are eligible. This includes anyone with:

  • Queensland Seniors Card
  • Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  • Services Australia Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care Card and Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card.)
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (and receive the War Widow/er Pension or special rate TPI Pension)
  • Asylum seeker status (ImmiCard holders)

How much will I get (and when)?

If you belong to one of these groups, you’re eligible to receive $700 per household. The payment will arrive in four quarterly instalments of $175. In 2023, payments will be made before 31 July and 1 October. In 2024, payments will be made from 1 January and 1 April.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and receiving a rebate, then no action is required. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a rebate, then you can register via MyAccount or call our Contact Centre.


All other Queensland Households

Every single household in Queensland is eligible for a sizeable energy rebate.

How much will I get (and when)?

Queenslanders will receive $550 per eligible household, paid in four quarterly instalments of $137.50. In 2023, payments will be made before 31 July and from1 October. In 2024, payments are scheduled from 1 January and 1 April.

What do I need to do?

You don’t have to do anything – payments will be automatically applied to your electricity bills.


Embedded network customers

Things are a bit more complicated for eligible customers who live in an embedded network (such as an apartment block or caravan park). Your embedded network operator will need to apply to their retailer for the rebate on behalf of their eligible residents who had an open electricity account on 1 July 2023.

For more info, visit Cost of Living Rebate for Households on the Queensland Government website.





Energy Bill Relief for TAS households

TAS Energy Bill Relief Rebate

Am I eligible? In Tasmania, the Energy Bill Relief will apply for all existing energy concession holders along with several new groups. New additions include those who receive or hold; Carer Allowance, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, DVA Gold Cards, Family Tax Benefit, or a Low-income Health Care Card.


Concession holders who receive the existing energy rebate

In Tasmania, all customers who already receive an energy concession are eligible. This includes customers with:

  • Health Care Cards
  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • ImmiCard

How much will I get (and when)?

You’ll receive $500 per eligible household which will be paid in four instalments of $125 over two years. Instalments will be grouped into four payment rounds; from 1 July 2023, from 1 April 2024, from 1 July 2024 and from 1 April 2025.

What do I need to do?

If you’re eligible and receiving a concession, then no action is required. If you’re eligible but not yet receiving a concession, then you can register via MyAccount or call our Contact Centre.


Customers who don’t usually receive an energy concession

Several new groups will also qualify for energy concessions this financial year. In Tasmania, customers are eligible if they receive/hold:

  • Carer Allowance
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • DVA Gold Cards
  • Family Tax Benefit (A and B)
  • Low Income Health Care Card

How much will I get (and when)?

Eligible Tasmanians will receive $500 per household. Concessions will be paid in four instalments of $125 over two years. Instalments will be grouped into four payment rounds; from 1 July 2023, from 1 April 2024, from 1 July 2024 and from 1 April 2025.

What do I need to do?

Depending on which group you’re in, you’ll either be contacted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs by July 2023 or Services Australia by September 2023 and advised of your next steps.

For more info, visit Energy Bill Relief for households Tasmania on the Australian government website.


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