Energy Rebates for Seniors By State

Who can get the seniors' energy rebates and concessions?

Senior citizens in Australia can access energy rebates and concessions if they possess any of the following concession cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card

• Health Care Card

• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (DVA)

• State-issued or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

Do seniors get discounts on their energy bills?

Across Australia, the different states and territories provide tailored energy rebates and concessions for eligible seniors. In New South Wales, for instance, the Low Income Household Rebate offers financial support for electricity expenses. Likewise, Victoria provides the Annual Electricity Concession, which offers a percentage-based discount on electricity bills. More information on this is below:

Australian Capital Territory:

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) offers electricity rebates and programs that can be beneficial for seniors facing challenges in paying their power bills. Here are the concessions available in the ACT:

• Home Energy Support Program (up to $5,000 for rooftop solar panels and other upgrades)

• The Electricity, Gas & Water Rebate was formerly known as the ACT Utilities Concession. This covers electricity, natural gas, water, and sewerage for pensioner and low-income households in the ACT. The annual rebate for 2024-25 has been increased by $50 and provides a maximum rebate of $800 to be calculated as a daily rate. The daily summer rate for the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate is approximately 101.887 cents per day from 1 November to 31 May 2024. The daily winter rate is approximately 381.699 cents per day from 1 June to 31 October 2024. The rebate is applied to your electricity account by your provider.

New South Wales:

New South Wales has the following energy rebates that may apply for seniors:

Important Note: The Low-Income Household Rebate is specifically aimed at assisting pensioners, seniors, veterans, and households facing challenges in managing their electricity bills. Eligible NSW residents can receive an annual payment of $350 through this concession. You must be a residential electricity customer or resident of a supplied scheme, with the account in your name, to qualify.

Northern Territory:

The Northern Territory only has a couple of electricity concessions compared to other states and territories. However, seniors in the north still have access to the NT Seniors Recognition Scheme. This scheme provides up to $500 annually to assist with expenses such as electricity, gas, phone, and internet bills, as well as fuel, travel, and accommodation costs.

The Australian and Northern Territory (NT) governments have also provided joint funding for electricity bill relief. Eligible households can receive up to $350 in assistance on their power bills. Small businesses are also encouraged to check their eligibility for electricity relief.

This is available to eligible households across the state, with different payment amounts as per their specific needs. 

Important Note: You may need to prove you are a current NT resident or that you've lived in the NT for 183 days in this year, with proof of your current home address.

South Australia:

South Australia provides various energy rebates, similar to other states, which may benefit seniors. Pensioners and seniors holding eligible cards may be able to access the following energy rebates:

• The Energy Bills Concession provides up to $231.41 per year to assist with energy costs, including petrol and bottled LPG gas.

• The Cost of Living Concession offers up to $107.60 annually for self-funded retirees on fixed incomes, helping to cover expenses such as electricity, gas, water, medical bills, and council rates.

• Medical Heating and Cooling Concession (up to $274.85 for electricity and gas)

• SA Energy Concession Discount Offer (17% off electricity charges, and 11% off gas).

• Home Dialysis Electricity Concession ($274.85 per year)

• SA Pensioner and Low-income Earner Energy Pension: This comprehensive rebate for pensioners, seniors, veterans, and low-income earners provides a $263.15 rebate to cover both electricity and gas. If you have both electricity and gas, the rebate amount remains the same.

Queensland:

In Queensland, seniors with a Pensioner Concession Card, Senior Health Card, or DVA card can access two energy discounts:

1. The Electricity Rebate provides $340.85 per year.

2. The Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate offers $76.19 per year.

If eligible for both, you can receive a combined total of $415.77, including GST.

• Cost of Living Rebate (up to $700)

• Emergency Life Support ($1,710.39 per year)

• Medical Rebate (up to $502.98 per year)

The Queensland government provides an annual payment to seniors, pensioners, and veterans. This payment includes a substantial pensioner electricity rebate for eligible customers holding a Pensioner Concession Card, Queensland Seniors Card, Department of Veterans Affairs Card, or asylum seeker status. There’s also relief for your gas bill. Important Note: Seniors’ eligibility for the gas rebate may vary depending on the cardholder's status.

Tasmania:

In Tasmania, there are several rebates available to assist vulnerable seniors in covering their electricity and gas expenses, particularly those related to heating. If you hold a DHS or DVA Pensioner Concession Card in Tasmania, you qualify for two senior energy rebates:

• The Annual Electricity Concession provides a daily discount of 140.70c to assist with electricity costs.

• The Heating Allowance for pensioners offers two payments of $28, made in May and September, to help cover heating expenses.Heating Allowance (up to $56 per year)

• Life Support Concession (varies from 45.35 cents to 240.845 cents, dispensing on the devices required.)

• Medical Heating or Cooling Concession (51.648 cents per day)

Victoria:

Victoria has several electricity and gas rebates available for seniors. These rebates cover a percentage of your annual bill, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars. If you have a Seniors Card in Victoria, you may be able to take advantage of the following rebates:

• The Electricity Concession covers 17.5% of your electricity usage and service charges. This kicks in after you've spent $171.60 annually, and if your electricity costs exceed $4,217.85, you’ll need to apply for the Excess Electricity Rebate.

• The Winter Gas Concession covers 17.5% of your gas usage and service charges and runs from May 1 to October 31 each year. It applies after you’ve spent $62.50 during the May–October billing period. If your gas bill goes over $1,555 in that time, you can apply for the Excess Gas Concession.

• Non-Mains Energy Concession: This concession covers non-mains energy sources such as LPG, firewood, heating oil, and electricity accessed via embedded networks or generators. The rebate is based on your annual spending, and a separate rebate is provided for each energy source used.

• Medical Cooling Concession: This concession provides a 17.5% discount on mains electricity usage from November 1 to April 30. It is available to those with medical conditions that impair their ability to regulate body temperature, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease. If you don’t have a pre-approved condition, the Department of Health and Human Services will review your case.

• Life Support Concession (1,880 kWh worth of electricity per year and 168 kilolitres of water each year, though there are tight restrictions on the devices to which this applies).

Western Australia:

Western Australia provides several rebates aimed at assisting vulnerable households with their electricity and gas expenses. These include:

• Energy Assistance Payment ($302.25 per year)

• Air Conditioning Rebate: The amount of the subsidy varies depending on where you live. Permanent residents of caravan parks can also apply for this rebate, and it only applies in certain months of the year (i.e. the warmer months).

• Household Electricity Credit: This is accessible to all households in Western Australia, valued at $400. However, certain households may qualify for an additional amount.

How do seniors claim their energy rebates and concessions?

Typically, you can contact your energy retailer to apply for your eligible rebates and concessions after verification. Simply ask your provider for your pensioner electricity rebate. You may need to fill out an application form, and your rebates will either be applied to your energy bills or deposited into your bank account.

While energy concessions and rebates offer significant savings, it's a good idea to explore other ways to reduce energy costs as swell. By comparing energy deals from various providers, you can find better value plans to suit your household and save more money that way as well.

Sources

Victoria State Government. Concessions and rebates: Energy. March 2023. 

New South Wales Government. Apply for the Seniors Energy Rebate. August 2022. 

New South Wales Government. Concessions, rebates and assistance. February 2023. 

Queensland Government. Electricity and gas rebates. July 2022. 

Government of South Australia. Energy bill concessions. March 2023. 

Government of Western Australia. Apply for an energy concession. January 2023.

Tasmanian Government. Discounts and concessions: Electricity. March 2023.

ACT Government. Utilities Concession. March 2023.

ACT Government. Life Support Rebate. 2023.

Northern Territory Government. Concessions and payments. March 2023.

 Energy.gov - energy rebate seniors

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Paul Coughran is the General Manager of Emerging Verticals at Compare Club. Paul has over 20 years of experience across a wide range of industries including Banking and Finance, Telecommunications and Energy. Paul leads a team of trusted experts dedicated to helping individuals make informed decisions about their insurance and utilities needs.

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