Time to read : 5 Minutes
Are you one of the 60% of households* missing out on millions of dollars worth of energy rebates and discounts?
In 2021, the ACCC estimated 2.9 million households across Australia received concessions and rebates from state and territory governments to help cover the skyrocketing costs of electricity bills.
Yes, but… Research from industry body The Energy Charter suggests that millions of Australian households are missing out on hundreds of dollars worth of energy bill rebates, because they're unaware they're eligible for these concessions.
“Energy assistance is available for those Australians who need it most, but unfortunately it’s not communicated well and the information is often buried on government websites, meaning households are missing out on money that’s rightfully theirs,” said Head of Research at Compare Club Kate Browne.
How much is the average Australian household overpaying on their energy bill?
Compare Club’s analysis of market offers suggests that older Australians could cut their energy bills by up to 25% in Victoria , just by switching energy suppliers.
That’s before you add on savings from concessions.
The majority of households missing out on rebates are seniors and veterans.
If you or someone you know, such as your parents or grandparents, falls into either or both of these groups, they could knock an extra couple of hundred from their bills.
Be aware: meteorologists warn that Australia is about to face one of its hottest summers in living memory. Many households will be cranking up the air conditioning, just to keep cool.
Are you eligible to save on your energy bills?
Australians holding eligible Commonwealth concession cards, such as the Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, Centrelink HealthCare Card (excluding NT), or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (excluding TAS), as well as those eligible for ongoing energy bill concessions or rebates, are among those who may be able to access these energy rebates.
Go deeper: You can see all the concessions on Expert Analysis here.
Many of these concession cardholders fall within the 65+ retiree bracket and are often unaware of their eligibility or how to access these benefits.
"More than 2 million Australians are leaving their money on the table, when accessing it is as easy as making a phone call to your energy provider. If you’re eligible, you can save between $500 to $750 a year,” says Kate.
How to save more on your energy bills
If you’re a Commonwealth concession card holder, or you’re eligible for an energy rebate, call your energy provider directly to activate it.
If you're in South Australia, call 1800 307 758 or visit sa.gov.au for information on Energy bill relief.
If you're in the Northern Territory, call 1800 777 704 or visit nt.gov.au for details on the NT Concession Scheme.
If you aren’t eligible for a rebate, call Compare Club or visit the Compare Club website to find yourself a better deal.
If your energy is facilitated through your strata or landlord, or you are based in a caravan park, apartment building or retirement home or village (via an embedded network) you can also ask the relevant energy providers today.
The bottom line:
Energy is expensive and one of the biggest cost of living stressors right now.
With a mixture of concessions and the savings you can gain by switching, it’s possible to trim several hundred dollars from your annual power bills.
