Households around the country could find they’re leaving money on the table from unclaimed discounts, loans and concessions designed to provide relief on their electricity bills.
Research by Canstar has revealed some states are offering discounts of up to $1,200 a year off electricity bills, no interest or low interest loans of up to $20,000 and as much as $5,000 in rebates on energy efficient upgrades.
For each of the programs, eligibility requirements apply. Here’s what you need to know for each state and territory.
NSW: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Home owners and renters | Up to $4k off energy upgrades | Home Energy Saver – open soon | Combined income < $80k OR concession card. Upgrades incl. solar, induction cooktops, aircon, insulation and DC ceiling fans. |
Home owners incl. landlords | 0% loans up to $15k | Home Energy Saver | Must have a combined income of less than $210k. For upgrades listed above. |
Self-funded retirees | $200 off electricity bill / yr | Seniors Energy Rebate | Commonwealth Seniors Health cardholders named on electricity accounts in NSW. |
Low income households | Up to $285* off electricity bills /yr | Via electricity provider | Concession cardholders with name on account. Family Tax Benefit may be eligible for partial rebate. |
Low income households | Up to $110* off gas bills / yr | Via your gas provider | Concession cardholders with name on account. |
People in unexpected hardship | Help with electricity and gas bills | Via ServiceNSW | Account holder experiencing short-term financial hardship that meets criteria. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Eligible concession cards include a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Veteran Gold Card. *Higher rebates for eligible embedded network customers.
VIC: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Home owners | Up to $1.4k off installation for solar hot water or panels | Via Solar Homes Program | Owner of property, with value less than $3m, combined income < $150K. Authorised retailer & products only. Other criteria apply. |
Home owners | 0% loan up to $1.4K for solar panel installations | Via Solar Homes Program | Criteria for solar panel installation discount met. |
Concession cardholders | 17.5% off electricity costs | Via electricity provider | Concession cardholders. Not applied to first $171.60 of annual bill. High electricity users must undergo additional checks. |
Concession cardholders | 17.5% off gas costs in winter period (May - October) | Via gas provider | Concession card holders. Not applied to first $62.40 of bills in winter period. High gas users must undergo additional checks. |
People in unexpected hardship | Emergency assistance of up to $650 per utility bill | Via electricity provider | Customers at risk of disconnection + other criteria apply. Homes with 1 energy source can claim up to $1.3k once every 2yrs. |
Homeowners and renters | Discounts between $70 - $8k on energy efficient products | Via Victorian Energy Upgrades | Accredited provider and eligible products only. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Veterans’ Affairs, Gold Card.
QLD: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Landlords | Up to $3.5k off solar installation on rental properties | Home Energy Savings program | Rental on fixed term lease with min. 8 months, rent must be <$1k a week + other criteria. |
Seniors + concession cardholders | $399 off electricity and $96 off gas / yr | Via electricity and gas retailers | Seniors and concession cardholders. |
People in unexpected hardship | Up to $720 for energy bills every 2 yrs | Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme | For people in a short-term financial crisis. Must have a concession card or be on hardship plan. See full criteria. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include Queensland Seniors, Services Australia or Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession, Services Australia Health Care, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran Gold, those with Asylum seeker status.
SA: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Concession cardholders | Up to $291/yr off electricity bills | Online via ConcessionsSA | Concession cardholders with name on account. |
Home owners and renters | Discounts on energy saving upgrades from aircon to shower heads. | Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme | Approved products and providers only + must meet other program requirements. |
People in unexpected hardship | Help paying electricity bill | Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme | Bill payer in debt + at risk of disconnection. A financial counsellor will need to assess and lodge the application. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include Pensioner Concession, Veteran Gold, Low Income Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health.
WA: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Home owners and renters | Up to $3.8k rebate to install home battery | Installer will apply for you through Residential Battery Scheme | Through approved vendors only. Must participate in Virtual Power Plant (VPP). |
Home owners and renters | Loan up to $10k to install home battery | Residential Battery Scheme | Household income <$210k. Approved vendors only. Must participate in VPP. |
Concession cardholders | $377/yr off energy bill | Via Synergy or Horizon Power | Up to $27 off when establishing account. Families with 1 child get up to $396, and an extra $104 per child thereafter. |
People living in hot areas | Up to $78/mth off air conditioning costs | Via Synergy or Horizon Power | Seniors and families with a concession card living in eligible towns/suburbs. |
Hardship customers | Up to $1,060 to cover utility bills | Via WA service centre | Customers at risk of disconnection + other criteria apply. Maximum rate for North West residents.. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include: Health Care, Pensioner Concession, Veterans' Affairs Gold, Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession.
TAS: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Concession cardholders | $1.84/day ($673/yr) off electricity costs | Via electricity retailer | Concession holders |
Pensioners on low income | $56 for heating /yr (2x $28 payments) | Online via TAS govt website | Concession cardholders, with cash assets <$1,750 if single, or <$2,750 couple. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include low-income Health Care, Pensioner Concession, eligible Bridging E visa ImmiCard or a Tasmanian Concession for community detention.
ACT: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Property owners or drivers | Up to $20k loan at 3% p.a. for energy efficient products incl EVs | Sustainable Households Scheme | Must own home or hold current driving license. Home value <$750k or <$300k for apt/unit. Approved provider only. |
Home owners switching to electric | Fully funded electrification of home | Access to Electric Program | Own and occupy a standalone house / townhouse with value <$750k. Income limits apply. |
Homeowner with concession card | Up to $5k off energy efficient products | Home Energy Support: Rebates for Homeowners | Concession cardholder living in property. Home value limits as above. Must attend a workshop. |
Concession cardholders | Up to $800/yr for utility bills | Via energy providers | Concession cardholders, one household only. |
ActewAGL customers | Up to $2k off electric water heater installation + up to $400 credit | Via ActewAGL | ActewAGL customer using approved installer. Highest amounts reserved for concession card holders. |
Prepared by Canstar. Note: Concession cards include Centrelink Pensioner Concession, Centrelink Low Income Health Care, Centrelink Health Care, ACT Service Access, Gold or Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession.
NT: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Concession cardholders. | Up to $1.2k off electricity bills | Via NT concessions page | Members of the NT Concession scheme. |
Prepared by Canstar.
National: What’s on offer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Who | What | Where | Eligibility |
Home owners | Discount on solar panel, water heaters | Through installer | Accredited retailers, systems and installers only. Discount based on size of system, typically applied automatically to price. |
Home owners with solar panels | Discount on solar battery installation | Through installer/ retailer or through the REC registry | Accredited retailers, systems and installers only. Size limit 100kWh, discount based on size of battery. |
Prepared by Canstar.
More savings could be available
Households unsure of where to look for relief can start with the savings finder tools available from their state government. These tools include relief for energy, but also other household bills and cost of living expenses.
Switching electricity plans could offer relief
For those households not eligible for rebates, switching to a lower cost electricity plan could be another way to get relief on their bills.
The typical household on a single rate plan in Brisbane could save $522 over the next 12 months if they were to switch from the average price to the lowest price electricity plan on the Canstar database.
Potential savings over 1 year - | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Average | Lowest | Potential savings | |
Sydney | $1,760 | $1,352 | $408 |
Melbourne | $1,422 | $1,154 | $268 |
Brisbane | $1,950 | $1,428 | $522 |
Adelaide | $2,195 | $1,805 | $390 |
Canberra | $2,468 | $2,032 | $436 |
Hobart | $1,364 | $1,229 | $135 |
Source: Canstar. Based on single rate electricity plans on Canstar's database; excluding solar-only. Annual costs calculated based on the estimated lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year, assuming all conditions of discount offered (if any) have been met. Representative customer based on the reference usage for NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, and SA (per Victorian default offer for VIC, ICRC for ACT, and AER for others) or the median usage in the Office of the Tasmania Regulator's report, Typical Electricity Customers in Tasmania for TAS.
Don't let loyalty cost you
Canstar's data insights director, Sally Tindall, says, “Thousands of dollars in assistance could be sitting on the table for households across the country, yet many people have no idea they’re eligible for an electricity rebate or a discounted energy upgrade.”
“With cost-of-living pressures continuing to pinch, taking ten minutes to check your state’s energy relief programs could unlock savings by just filling out a form, particularly if you hold a concession card, or in the case of NSW and Queensland, hold a seniors card.
“Government support varies widely depending on where you live, ranging from direct bill concessions to zero-interest loans for solar and home upgrades.
“Even if you don’t qualify for these concessions, you aren’t out of options. Simple DIY draught-proofing and auditing power-hungry appliances might feel like a drop in the ocean but over time they can make a real difference.
“One of the fastest ways for non-eligible households to slash their power bills could be to switch energy providers. The Canstar database shows typical households in major capitals could save up to $522 a year simply by moving from an average-priced electricity plan to the cheapest option on the market.
“Don’t let loyalty to your retailer cost you.”
