Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions
Key Points:
- You could qualify for financial assistance as an eligible pensioner or concession cardholder.
- There are various rebates that range from one-off payments for utilities to medical equipment assistance.
- If you’ve been with the same retailer for years, your loyalty could be a disadvantage. Electricity plans change frequently, and you could pay more than you should if you’re not on the best rate.
- Getting a better deal on your electricity could lead to additional savings on top of rebates.
- We've listed all senior rebates and concessions by state below for you to reference.
The fluctuating energy and gas costs can be a financial burden for anyone, especially seniors. If you or a loved one are struggling with utility bills, there may be relief beyond lowering your energy consumption.
Various energy rebates and concession programs are available in every Australian state and territory. If you're eligible, you can claim a wide range of benefits, from supplemental payments that can be applied to your energy bill to healthcare concessions that can reduce the cost of your medical equipment.
Eligible households are urged to compare energy plans and providers. A seniors energy rebate or concession can offer financial assistance, but your bills could be higher than they should be if you're not maximising your savings. If you’re looking to switch or want to compare plans, give Electricity Monster a call today. We'll analyse your energy usage and offer various free solutions to help you find a better deal. Depending on the type of rebate or concession, we may be able to apply for an electricity rebate on your behalf that you are eligible for.
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions VIC
Energy Bill Relief Fund – for Victorian Households
Eligible residents will receive $250 per eligible household.
Customers must ensure their name (or that of another eligible household member) is on the primary energy account. The $250 rebate will be provided in periodic instalments on bills during 2023 – 2024.
An eligible household can only receive a single $250 rebate for 2023 – 2024.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Energy Bill Relief Fund – for Victorian Small Businesses
Eligible small business customers will receive a one-time payment of $325.
You can get this payment if your small business is:
- based in Victoria
- on a separately metered business tariff with your energy retailer
- has an annual energy consumption below 40 MWh.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Medical Cooling Concession
The Medical Cooling Concession is a rebate for customers with medical conditions that cannot regulate their body temperature.
The concession amount is 17.5% of usage and service charges after credits and discounts.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Life Support Concession
The Life Support Concession offers financial assistance to families with eligible life support equipment.
Your concession amount varies based on your equipment.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Essential Medical Equipment Concession
Eligible residents who need cooling, heating, or other medical equipment for a medical condition can apply for the Essential Medical Equipment Concession.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Winter Gas Concession
Eligible residents can receive a discount on their gas bill to help with high winter costs.
The concession amount is 17.5% off the total bill after credits and discounts.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Non-Mains Energy Concession
This concession assists on-supplied homes that use LPG gas or natural gas.
The rebate amount varies based on the total amount spent on energy throughout the year.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Annual Electricity Concession
Eligible concession cardholders will receive a discount on their domestic mains power usage and service costs for the year.
The concession amount is 17.5% off the cardholder’s power bill.
Source: Victorian Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions NSW
National Energy Bill Relief
This nationwide relief payment is applicable to low-income households, pensioners, retirees, and families. This is a one-off payment of $500.
Most eligible residents will have started to automatically receive quarterly instalments of $125 on their power bills from 31 July 2023.
Eligibility was checked on 31 July 2023 and 31 October 2023 and will be rechecked on 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024.
Source: New South Wales Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Seniors Energy Rebate NSW
The Seniors Energy Rebate is exclusive to retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The amount is up to $200 per household per year towards your power bills.
For enquiries regarding eligibility requirements, please contact the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Source: New South Wales Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Life Support Rebate
If you or an eligible family member requires life support equipment in your household, you can claim this rebate, which covers machines like ventilators and dialysis equipment.
The rebate amount will vary based on the equipment and is based on a daily rate.
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Medical Energy Rebate
This rebate is aimed at eligible NSW seniors who cannot properly regulate their bodily temperature due to medical conditions.
The rebate amount is $285 per retail (on-market) household per financial year.
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Pension Supplement
Eligible pensioners can claim financial assistance for household utilities like power and medication. Customers may defer a portion of the fortnightly Pension Supplement amount and have it paid to them quarterly.
The maximum fortnightly rate for the Service Pension, Social Security Age Pension, and Income Support Supplement are as follows:
- $95.70 – single
- $72.10 – partnered (each)
- $95.70 – illness separated
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Family Energy Rebate
This rebate is available to those currently receiving the Family Tax Benefit. This rebate is capped at $20 if you receive the Low Income Household Rebate.
The rebate amount is up to $180 per year.
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Low-Income Household Rebate
This rebate offers financial assistance to pensioners, seniors, veterans, and families who cannot afford their energy bills due to low income.
The rebate amount is up to $285 per year.
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
Various welfare organisations offer vouchers to energy customers who are in financial crisis. The voucher amount will vary based on each application.
Source: NSW Government. Accurate as of April 2024
NSW Gas Rebate
This rebate offers financial assistance for eligible pensioners, veterans and low-income natural gas and LPG customers.
The rebate amount is up to $110 per year.
Source: New South Wales Government. Accurate as of April 2024
NSW Gas Rebate
This rebate offers financial assistance for eligible pensioners, veterans and low-income natural gas and LPG customers.
The rebate amount is up to $110 per year.
Source: New South Wales Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions SA
National Energy Bill Relief Payment
Eligible SA residents can receive a payment of up to $500 for the financial year 2023-24 (paid quarterly in $125 instalments)
According to the SA Government, you must meet the following requirements to qualify for this payment:
- The eligible retiree lives in the primary residence and must be the primary energy account holder or
- A named account holder on your residence’s energy account.
- You must have an eligible concession card or
- Received an eligible payment from the government in your state or territory.
Each household or retirement village is eligible to receive one credit, even if there are multiple eligible residents living at the same address. The government has stated that this credit is only available at the applicant’s principal residence.
Source: SA Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Medical Heating and Cooling Concession
This concession offers financial assistance for eligible customers who require consistent heating or cooling for a medical condition.
The rebate amount is up to $263.15 for both power and gas.
Source: SA Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Life Support Rebate
If you or an eligible family member requires life support equipment in your household, you can claim this rebate, which covers machines like ventilators and dialysis equipment.
The rebate amount will vary based on the equipment and is based on a daily rate.
Source: New South Wales Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Energy Bill Concession
Eligible concession cardholders can get financial assistance for their energy bills.
The rebate is up to $0.719 per day (excluding GST) and is applied to your energy account.
Source: SA Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Home Dialysis Electricity Concession
This concession is available for eligible people with kidney disease who receive dialysis treatment at home.
The eligible person can receive $165 annually to contribute to the running cost of their equipment at home.
Source: SA Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Residential Park Resident Concession
This concession provides financial assistance to eligible cardholders who are living in residential or caravan parks.
The concession amount is up to $622.85 a year (paid quarterly) for residents who pay for water, sewerage, and energy. Tenants who pay for their water and energy are entitled to $409.45 a year (paid quarterly). Eligibility requirements may vary.
Source: SA Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions QLD
Energy Bill Relief (Cost-of-Living Package)
Eligible Queensland residents will get a rebate of $550.
Concession holders or vulnerable households will get a rebate of $700 in addition to an existing $372 discount.
Eligible small businesses will receive an automatic rebate of $650 reflected on their electricity bill. All Queensland homeowners will be eligible for this cost-of-living rebate.
The $650 rebate is available for businesses that use less than 100,000 kWh annually. This rebate will also be automatically deducted from customers’ bills starting July 1, 2023.
Medical Cooling and Heating Concession Scheme
This scheme offers financial assistance to eligible cardholders who are medically unable to regulate their body temperature. In order to be eligible, the retiree must live at the primary place of residence as the applicant.
The rebate amount is up to $479.03 per year.
Source: QLD Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme
This scheme provides a one-off payment for eligible Australians suffering from financial difficulties.
The rebate amount is up to $720 once every two years.
Source: QLD Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Electricity Life Support Concession Scheme
This concession scheme offers financial assistance to residents who require a home-based oxygen concentrator or kidney dialysis machine.
The rebate amount is $975.60 per year for each oxygen concentrator or $653.34 per year for each kidney dialysis machine you use.
Source: QLD Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions ACT
National Energy Bill Relief Payment
Eligible households in the ACT can get $175 in relief through this fund. Your power bills can also be lower due to the ACT’s large-scale feed-in tariff scheme, which is expected to lower the average household bill by $152 per year.
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this payment:
- You must be the primary electricity account holder; or
- A named account holder on your residence’s electricity account.
- You must have an eligible concession card; or
- Received an eligible payment from the government in your state or territory.
Each household can receive one credit, even if there are multiple eligible residents living on the same property.
Source: ACT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Utilities Concession
Eligible concession cardholders can receive discounts on energy, natural gas, water, and sewerage.
The rebate amount is up to $750.
Source: ACT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Life Support Rebate
This rebate provides eligible residents with a rebate on their energy account. The annual rebate amount for 2023-2024 is $128. Only one rebate can be claimed per household.
Source: ACT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Energy-Efficient Electric Water Heater Upgrade
This rebate, offered by ActewAGL, offers a discount on the price of a new hot water heat pump for ACT residents.
The rebate amount is a discount of $750 that is taken off the purchase price of the hot water heat pump.
Source: ACT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions TAS
National Energy Bill Relief
Eligible Tasmanian residents will receive $250 in bill relief rebates per year over 2 years (2023-24 and 2024-25).
Source: TAS Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Annual Electricity Concession
The annual concession provides eligible cardholders with a daily discount. The current concession is 172.434 cents per day.
In order to claim this concession, you must hold one of the following cards:
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Services Australia Health Care Card
- ImmiCard (Bridging Visa E).
Source: TAS Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Life Support Concession
Eligible cardholders who use an approved life support system or live with someone who uses one in their primary home will receive financial assistance that varies depending on the equipment's energy costs.
Source: TAS Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Medical Cooling and Heating Concession
This scheme offers a daily discount to eligible cardholders with a medical condition that requires the cooling or heating of their primary home to manage the condition.
The current concession is 51.648 cents per day.
Source: TAS Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Senior Energy Rebates and Concessions NT
Energy Bill Relief
If eligible, Northern Territorians can get relief on power bills of up to $350.
NT Concession Scheme members who receive a regular electricity bill will receive a $350 credit that is applied in quarterly instalments across their billing cycle for 2023-24.
Source: NT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
NT Seniors Recognition Scheme
The Northern Territory Government offers financial assistance to residents over 65. To be eligible for the scheme, you must be:
- aged 65 or older
- a current NT resident named on the electricity bill and living in the Northern Territory for 183 days (six months) of the financial year
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident; or
- a temporary visa holder with a valid Medicare card registered to your current Northern Territory home address.
Source: NT Government. Accurate as of April 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Claim a Seniors Energy Rebate?
Most rebates and concessions will have eligibility criteria you need to satisfy before claiming them. These requirements can range from being the primary account holder named on your electricity bill to being a certified cardholder of one of the following:
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (DVA)
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
When you’re ready to claim a senior energy rebate, you can either call your energy retailer or contact us at Electricity Monster. Depending on the rebate, we may be able to apply for one on your behalf.
Check out our electricity rebates page to see what other rebates are available in your area.
How Can Electricity Monster Help Me?
Electricity Monster provides a 100% free electricity comparison service for residential and business customers looking for a better rate. All it takes is one call, and we’ll help you find a fair deal for a fair price. Want to speak to one of our seniors energy rebate specialists? Call us today and we'll happily answer any of your questions.
Will Comparing Electricity Plans Save Me Money?
In addition to claiming any rebates you are eligible for, it’s essential to compare the energy market for additional savings.
If you’ve been with the same retailer for years, your loyalty could be a disadvantage. Energy plans change frequently, and you could pay more than you should if you’re not on the best rate.
There’s also a benefit period, which is a period (generally 12 months) during which you get a ‘benefit.’ Usually, the benefit is a discount, like a lower plan rate you first saw when you signed up for your plan. When this period ends, any applied discounts can expire, which can lead to significantly higher rates.
Even if you’re taking advantage of energy and gas rebates and concessions, staying with the same retailer will often be more expensive than comparing the market and switching to a new provider. There are great incentives and credits currently offered that can lower your power bills. The downside is that you’ll need to go through the arduous process of comparing plans and providers. This can be time-consuming and confusing, especially when you haven’t switched retailers in a long time. Call our energy experts at Electricity Monster instead, and we’ll handle the entire process for you. Our comprehensive service is 100% free, and we’ll get you the best deal we have available.
How Does Your Service Work?
Electricity Monster will provide a free comparison of your current energy rates and then provide you with competitive offers from our partnered residential electricity retailers. In certain cases, we can help initiate the switch through the phone. Call us today and see how we can help.
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