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Queenslanders will receive a $175 cost of living rebate, to be paid as a credit on their next power bill. It comes as households in Queensland and New South Wales brace for a double-digit increase to their electricity bills.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today that the government would increase the original $50 cost of living rebate that was first announced in February.
“With wholesale prices going up due to global instability, we have moved to raise it to $175 because we know the pressure Queenslanders face,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
It comes on the same day as the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) announced it would increase its default market offer, which sets the maximum price that retailers can charge customers for electricity.
The AER’s decision means that from July, residential customers in south-east Queensland face increases of 11.3% to 12.6%, New South Wales residents will see prices rise by 8.5% to 18.3%, and South Australian residents will see increases of 7.2% to 9.5%.
Victoria, which sets its own default offer prices, released its new prices on Tuesday and said the annual bill for residents and small business customers would increase by 5% on average.
How to get the cost of living rebate
Electricity providers will automatically apply the $175 credit to your next power bill.
There is no need for Queensland households to apply for the rebate.
Update: A number of energy providers have told customers they will apply the $175 rebate to accounts from 31 August 2022. Please contact your energy provider for more information.
What other rebates are available?
Victoria is also offering a $250 payment for every household that seeks out a better power deal.
From 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2023, Victorian households that use the Victorian Energy Compare website to compare their energy deal will get the $250 one-off payment.
Victorians who don’t have access to a computer or the internet can call the Victorian Energy Compare helpline or receive support from a community outreach partner.
In Western Australia, households can receive a $400 Household Electricity Credit if they are not billed directly by Synergy or Horizon Power from July 2022. More information, including instructions on how to apply, will be published on the WA Government website.
If you are receiving Centrelink payments such as the Age Pension or JobSeeker, you may also be eligible for the federal government’s $250 cost-of-living payment.
The payment started rolling out in April and will be made automatically into the bank accounts of eligible Australians. There is no need to apply.
This content was reviewed by Sub Editor Tom Letts and Deputy Editor Sean Callery as part of our fact-checking process.
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