As inflation in Australia hovers close to the 8 per cent mark, finding ways to save a few extra dollars has become a focus for most of us.
Many Australians are eligible for a concession on their energy bill. Taking advantage of that discount is left up to those who qualify.
In the case of energy, the biggest hurdles are that the rules and methods vary between the states and territories. For many older people, this can mean putting the whole process into the ‘too hard’ basket. Some of those eligible for a concession are not even aware of that fact.
Here is a summary of the government energy concessions offered by each state and territory, and how to claim them.
Victoria
The Victorian government offers an annual electricity concession as well as a winter gas concession. In both cases the concession is 17.5 per cent, calculated after retailer discounts are applied.
To apply for the concession, the government directs customers to their electricity and gas retailer. Under the rules, unclaimed past concessions (up to 12 months) can also be accessed. The two schemes are open to holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Healthcare Card or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
Victoria also has the $250 Power Saving Bonus, a one-off payment to help ease cost-of-living pressures and encourage households to compare energy offers and save. Applications are open until 30 June 2023. Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website or engage with an energy affordability service through one of our participating community outreach partners. The $250 bonus is limited to one payment per eligible household.
New South Wales
Eligible residents of NSW can claim a concession on their water bills as well as on gas and electricity. However, the process of working out what you are eligible for and how to claim the concession is convoluted.
Eligibility and concession rates vary depending on whether you qualify through family tax benefit, as self-funded retirees, Centrelink Healthcare Card holders, pensioners, Veterans’ Card holders, low-income households and more.
Fortunately, Service NSW has an online Savings Finder to help you get the savings you deserve.
Read: 10 off-peak energy tips to cut your electricity bills
Queensland
A range of concession cardholders – including Queensland Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Low-Income Healthcare Card, Veterans’ Gold Card, and Asylum Seekers holding an ImmiCard – are eligible for electricity rebates. Some of those also qualify for a natural gas concession.
Currently the electricity rebate is $372.20 per year (GST inclusive) and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate is $80.77 per year (GST inclusive).
Applying for the rebates is done through each individual gas and electricity dealer. However, the process is different for those who live in an apartment complex, residential park, retirement village or a granny flat.
The Queensland government’s Energy Concessions page provides further information.
South Australia
Those who hold a Pensioner Concession Card, a Veterans’ Gold Card, a Low-Income Healthcare Card or a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card can claim the SA government’s energy concessions.
In 2022/23, those who qualify may be eligible to receive up to $241.63 a year to cover energy payments. This includes fuels used to generate energy, such as LPG bottled gas and petrol.
Applying for the discount is done via the ConcessionsSA website.
Western Australia
In the west, electricity concessions are processed in one of two ways, depending on your retailer.
Those who are not with Synergy or Horizon Power can apply for a Household Electricity Credit of $400 through the Energy Concession Extension Scheme.
However, the WA government’s Household Electricity Credit page states that “Applications for the $400 credit closed 31 October 2022”. The page was last updated in December, so it is unclear whether the same discount is available in 2023.
Those with Synergy or Horizon can claim $318.37 via a separate scheme. Applying for the concession is done online via this page.
Read: How will the energy price cap affect your bills?
Tasmania
The Apple Isle does things slightly differently, providing a daily discount to eligible customers at a cents-per-day rate. The current concession is 157.460 cents per day.
The concessions are available to pensioner concession cardholders, or for those who have a low-income healthcare card, or an ImmiCard on bridging visa E. If you have a Tasmanian concession card, you are eligible for the discount on your primary place of residence.
Applications are made via the energy retailer using a form provided by the retailer and Service Tasmania.
Northern Territory
Residents of the NT may be able to claim concessions for electricity (up to $1200/year), water ($800/year) and sewerage ($486.12/year).
It is available to members of the NT concession scheme, who can apply via the scheme’s website.
Australian Capital Territory
In the ACT eligible residents can apply for the ‘full set’ of concessions: electricity, gas, water and sewerage.
Those eligible include pensioner concession cardholders, low-income healthcare cardholders from Centrelink, ACT service access cardholders, and a number of veterans’ cardholders. However, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders are not eligible.
Applications must be done through each individual retailer.
Are you eligible for energy discounts? How would you describe and rate your experience of applying for government energy concessions? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
