Energy Bill Rebates by State 2026: Complete Guide to Concessions
State-by-state guide to energy bill rebates and concessions in Australia for 2026, including eligibility, how to apply, and how much you can save.
Overview: Energy Concessions in Australia
Every Australian state and territory offers energy concessions to eligible residents, but the amount, eligibility criteria, and application process vary significantly between jurisdictions. These concessions help reduce the cost of electricity and gas bills for people on low incomes, concession card holders, and those experiencing financial hardship. In addition to state-based concessions, the federal government has periodically provided one-off energy bill relief payments — such as the $300 Energy Bill Relief Fund payment provided to all households in 2024-25. For 2025-26, the federal government has continued targeted energy relief for concession card holders, with the exact amount and eligibility depending on budget measures announced in May 2025. State-based concessions are ongoing and automatic in some states (applied directly to your bill) or require an annual application in others. Having a Centrelink concession card (PCC, HCC, or CSHC) is the most common eligibility criterion, but some states have additional or alternative criteria. This guide covers each state and territory's main energy concessions.
New South Wales Energy Concessions
In New South Wales, the Low Income Household Rebate provides up to $315 per year off your electricity bill. To be eligible, you must hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card, or be receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A. The rebate is applied directly to your electricity bill — you need to contact your electricity retailer and provide your concession card details. The Gas Rebate provides up to $120 per year off reticulated (mains) gas bills for the same eligible concession card holders. NSW also offers a Life Support Rebate of approximately $1,262 per year for people who use approved life support equipment at home (such as an oxygen concentrator or kidney dialysis machine). The Medical Energy Rebate provides up to $315 per year for people with a medical condition requiring the use of essential medical equipment that significantly increases their energy usage. NSW residents in financial hardship can also access the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme, which provides vouchers of up to $400 per year applied to overdue energy bills.
Victoria Energy Concessions
Victoria offers one of the more generous energy concession packages in Australia. The Annual Electricity Concession provides approximately $287 per year (17.5% off your electricity bill, up to the maximum). The Mains Gas Concession provides approximately $109 per year (17.5% off mains gas, up to the maximum). Both concessions are available to holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White, or Orange Card, and some other eligible card types. Victoria also offers a Controlled Load Electricity Concession of approximately $42 per year for concession card holders with off-peak electricity services. The Winter Gas Concession provides an additional 17.5% off gas bills during the winter months (May to October). The Non-Mains Energy Concession provides up to $396 per year for eligible concession card holders who use LPG gas or other non-mains energy sources instead of mains gas. Victoria's Medical Cooling Concession provides additional electricity relief for people with medical conditions that require cooling. To apply, provide your concession card details to your energy retailer.
Queensland Energy Concessions
Queensland provides the Electricity Rebate of $372.20 per year to eligible concession card holders. This rebate is available to holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Queensland Seniors Card (with an income test), Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card, and some asylum seeker and refugee visas. The rebate is applied directly to your electricity account and generally appears as a credit on your bill each quarter. Queensland also offers the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate of $122.84 per year for eligible concession card holders who use mains gas. The Electricity Life Support Concession provides a rebate for people who use essential medical equipment at home — the amount depends on the type of equipment. The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme (HEEAS) provides one-off emergency assistance of up to $720 per year for Queensland residents experiencing financial hardship who are at risk of disconnection. The Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession provides additional relief for people with medical conditions requiring temperature regulation. Queensland's concessions are generally simpler to access than other states — contact your retailer with your concession card.
South Australia & Western Australia
In South Australia, the Energy Concession provides up to $241.25 per year for electricity and gas combined. Eligible concession card holders (PCC, HCC, CSHC, DVA Gold) receive this concession applied directly to their electricity bill (or split between electricity and gas). SA also offers the Medical Heating and Cooling Concession of approximately $241 for people with a medical condition requiring climate control. The Cost of Living Concession provides up to $222.10 per year for eligible singles (or $165 per couple member) and covers energy, water, and sewerage costs combined. The Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme provides up to $400 for SA residents in financial hardship. In Western Australia, the Energy Assistance Payment provides approximately $305 per year for PCC and HCC holders. WA also provides the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) of up to $665 per year for households in severe financial hardship facing disconnection. The Dependent Child Rebate provides $350 per year for Synergy customers with dependent children who receive FTB Part A. WA's Water Corporation offers a 50% concession on water service charges for PCC holders. Contact your retailer in either state to apply for energy concessions.
Tasmania, ACT & Northern Territory
Tasmania offers one of the most generous energy concessions in Australia. The Aurora Energy Concession provides approximately $566 per year for PCC and HCC holders — applied as a daily credit of $1.55 to electricity bills. This reflects Tasmania's colder climate and higher heating costs. The Life Support Machine Concession is also available for medically required equipment. Tasmania's concessions are applied automatically by Aurora Energy once you provide your concession card details. In the ACT, the Home Energy Support Levy concession provides a rebate on the Utilities Network Facilities Tax component of your electricity bill. The ACT also offers the Utilities Concession of approximately $750 per year for PCC, HCC, and DVA Gold Card holders, covering electricity, gas, and water. The ACT's concessions are among the most generous but are offset by higher living costs. The Northern Territory provides the Pensioner Concession Scheme, which offers concessions on electricity, water, and sewerage for PCC holders. The NT Electricity Concession provides approximately $1,218 per year — the highest in Australia — reflecting high energy costs in the Territory. Contact your local utility provider with your concession card details to apply.
Federal Energy Bill Relief
In addition to state-based concessions, the federal government has provided energy bill relief in recent years. In the 2024-25 Budget, the government announced a $300 energy bill rebate for all Australian households, applied directly to electricity bills in quarterly instalments. For 2025-26, the government has continued targeted energy relief, though the exact amount and eligibility criteria depend on the May 2025 Budget announcements. Historically, federal energy relief has been provided as a one-off measure in response to rising energy prices, rather than as an ongoing program. Concession card holders (PCC, HCC, CSHC, DVA Gold) have typically received the federal rebate automatically, while other households may need to check with their retailer. Federal energy relief is applied in addition to state-based concessions — they stack, meaning eligible concession card holders can receive both. If you are struggling with energy costs, also consider contacting your retailer about hardship programs, which all retailers are required to offer under the National Energy Retail Law. These programs can provide payment plans, energy efficiency advice, and emergency bill reductions.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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