Worked Examples and Comparison Checklists
Energy concessions and rebates by state in 2026: what to ask for and where
State electricity and gas concessions, medical and life support rebates, emergency payment help and the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund status in 2026 — with official sources for each state.
Every Australian state and territory runs its own energy concessions, usually for holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card, plus extra help for people with medical needs, life support equipment or a short-term crisis. Concessions are applied through your retailer (you give them your card details) or by applying to the state agency, and they do not transfer automatically when you switch retailers. The federal Energy Bill Relief Fund paid credits on household bills in 2024–25 and was extended for the second half of 2025, then ended: the Government confirmed there would be no further round in 2026. Amounts and eligibility rules change, often each financial year, so this guide names the main programs and where to confirm them, without quoting amounts that may be out of date.
How concessions reach your bill
- Check eligibility on your state's official site.
- Give your retailer your concession card details (or apply to the state agency where required).
- The concession appears as a credit on each bill, sometimes calculated per day or as a percentage.
- When you switch retailer or move house, give your details to the new retailer again.
The switching checklist includes this step.
Main programs by state (2026, check current rules)
| State or territory | Main programs to ask about | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Low Income Household Rebate, Family Energy Rebate, Seniors Energy Rebate, Gas Rebate, Medical Energy Rebate, Life Support Rebate, Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers | Service NSW / NSW Government energy rebates |
| Victoria | Annual Electricity Concession, Winter Gas Concession, Medical Cooling Concession, Life Support Concession, Utility Relief Grant Scheme | Victorian Government concessions (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing) |
| Queensland | Electricity Rebate, Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate, Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession, Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme | Queensland Government |
| South Australia | Energy Bill Concession, Medical Heating and Cooling Concession, emergency electricity payment assistance | SA Government concessions |
| Western Australia | Energy Assistance Payment, Hardship Utility Grant Scheme | WA Government |
| Tasmania | Annual Electricity Concession and related concessions | Tasmanian Government concessions |
| ACT | Utilities Concession and hardship support | ACT Government |
| Northern Territory | NT concession scheme for eligible card holders | NT Government |
Program names are as commonly used by each government; some programs change names or eligibility from time to time. Confirm with the official agency.
Worked example: how a concession changes the bill
Illustrative only. A pensioner household's quarterly electricity bill before concessions is $520 (see the quarterly bill estimator).
- If a state concession of, say, $0.80 a day applies: 91 × $0.80 = $72.80 → bill $447.20
- If a percentage-based concession of, say, 17.5% of the bill applied instead: $520 × 0.175 = $91 → bill $429
The structure (daily, annual or percentage) matters, so check how your state calculates it. Where a concession is a percentage of usage and supply charges, cutting usage also reduces the dollar value of the concession slightly; it is still worth saving energy.
Medical and life support help
- Life support equipment: register with your retailer (and distributor) if anyone in your home relies on life support equipment such as oxygen concentrators or home dialysis. Registration gives extra protections, including advance notice of planned outages and protection from disconnection. There may also be a life support concession or rebate in your state.
- Medical heating and cooling: several states offer concessions where a medical condition requires heating or cooling. A doctor's confirmation is usually needed.
Emergency and crisis help
If you cannot pay a bill because of a short-term crisis:
- NSW: EAPA vouchers through community welfare organisations
- Victoria: Utility Relief Grant Scheme (apply through your retailer)
- Queensland: Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme
- Other states: ask your retailer and state concessions agency about emergency payments
Also ask your retailer for its hardship program; see hardship and payment plans. A free financial counsellor on the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) can help you work out which programs apply.
The federal Energy Bill Relief Fund
The Australian Government's Energy Bill Relief Fund applied credits automatically to household electricity accounts: up to $300 per household in 2024–25, extended by up to $150 (usually two quarterly credits of $75) from 1 July to 31 December 2025. The Treasurer confirmed in late 2025 that the rebates would not be extended into 2026, so plan your 2026 budget without them. A late credit or adjustment may still appear on an early-2026 bill; check energy.gov.au for the official position.
Common concession mistakes
- Not telling the new retailer after a switch or move
- Card expired or details changed, so the concession stopped
- Not applying for the medical or life support concession because you did not know it existed
- Assuming the concession covers gas and electricity when it covers only one
- Embedded network customers (apartment blocks, retirement villages) not asking the operator how concessions are applied
FAQ
Can I get a concession if I rent?
Usually yes, if the energy account is in your name and you meet the eligibility rules. Some states have arrangements for embedded network customers.
Do concessions apply to standing and market offers?
Yes, generally, though some retailers' plans may handle percentage concessions differently. Ask before you switch.
Can I backdate a concession?
Some states allow limited backdating if you were eligible. Ask your retailer and state agency.
Who do I contact if my concession is missing?
Your retailer first; if not resolved, your state's energy ombudsman. See the complaints guide and the comparison steps.
Sources
- Energy.gov.au — Energy Bill Relief Fund and household rebates finder
- Service NSW — NSW energy rebates
- Victorian Government — Victorian concessions and Utility Relief Grant
- Queensland Government — Queensland electricity and gas rebates
- SA Government — SA energy concessions
- National Debt Helpline — free financial counselling
