Your guide to energy rebates in NSW
We all need a little bit of help every now and then, even when it comes to our energy bills. And while your energy provider can provide financial assistance by placing you on a financial hardship plan, it’s generally a temporary measure until you get back on your feet.
If you believe your financial hardship may be ongoing due to your income status or illness, you may be eligible for various New South Wales energy rebates, which can help cover a portion of your energy bill every year.
This guide lists all the available electricity and gas rebates available in NSW as well as their eligibility criteria, to help you find the most appropriate form of financial assistance.
The Low Income Household Rebate
The Low Income Household Rebate is available to low income households and covers a portion of the cost of their annual energy bill. According to the Services NSW website, the rebate is credited on each quarterly bill and households can receive up to $285 a year.
In order to eligible for the rebate, you will need one of the following:
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia
- Health Care Card issued by Services Australia
- DVA Gold Card marked with either 'War Widow' or 'War Widower Pension', or 'Totally and Permanently Incapacitated' (TPI) or 'Disability Pension' (EDA).
Where to apply: Apply for the Low Income Household Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Gas Rebate
The NSW Gas Rebate can help cover the cost of a household’s natural gas bill. Similar to the Low Income Household Rebate, the rebate appears on each quarterly energy bill, with households receiving up to $110 a year.
Other than being a NSW resident and an account holder of a gas retailer, applicants will need one of the following:
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia
- Health Care Card issued by Services Australia
- DVA Gold Card marked with either 'War Widow' or 'War Widower Pension', or 'Totally and Permanently Incapacitated' (TPI) or 'Disability Pension' (EDA).
Where to apply: Apply for the Gas Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Family Energy Rebate
If you have a family with dependent children, the Family Energy Rebate offers a credit of up to $180 annual on your energy bill.
Before you can apply for this rebate it’s important to make sure that you or your partner has lodged a tax return for the last financial year, as the Department of Human Services (DHS) will need this information in order to approve your application.
Eligibility for the Family Energy Rebates asks that you must:
- Have been the recipient of the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) for the previous financial year and have had your entitlement to the FTB payments finalised by Centrelink.
- Ensure the person in your household who's registered as the FTB recipient, lodges the application. The recipient is the person who receives correspondence on FTB from the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Where to apply: Apply for the Family Energy Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Seniors Energy Rebate
The Seniors Energy Rebate is available to older Australians and can provide a credit of up to $200 on their electricity bill every year. Unfortunately, this rebate does not include financial assistance for gas bills.
Retirees who meet the following criteria are eligible for the Seniors Energy Rebate:
- Own a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
- Are the primary account holder named on the electricity bill
- Are applying for the rebate for your primary place of residence.
Where to apply: Apply for the Seniors Energy Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Life Support Rebate
If you or someone in your household uses approved energy-intensive medical equipment to keep them alive, you can apply for the Life Support Rebate. In these circumstances, the equipment might be used for home dialysis, oxygen concentrators or ventilators.
In the event that more than one piece of equipment is used, you may be able to claim more than one rebate. The amount a household receives depends on the machine and how often it’s used.
If you are applying on behalf of someone else who uses the medical equipment, you will need:
- To fill out the NSW Life Support Rebate Application Form
- Have your medical practitioner sign relevant sections in the form
- Have you or the person you are applying for been assessed by a registered medical practitioner to verify the use of the life support equipment is required at the home.
Where to apply: Apply for the Life Support Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Medical Energy Rebate
This energy rebate is available to households who have a family member with an inability to self-regulate their body temperature during extreme hot or cold weather conditions. This ailment will need to be diagnosed by a medical professional who has been treating the person for more than three months before you can apply on their behalf.
Other than a confirmed diagnosis, you will need to have the following before you can apply:
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia or
- Health Care Card issued by Services Australia, or
- DVA Gold Card.
- At least one Primary Qualifying Condition and at least one Secondary Qualifying Condition.
Where to apply: Apply for the Medical Energy Rebate via the Services NSW website
The Energy Accounts Payment Assistance scheme
While Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme is not a rebate, it can provide financial relief for Australian households experiencing financial stress. The EAPA scheme is a one-off payment and is in partnership with non-government organisations and NSW energy retailers.
Under the EAPA scheme, households are given one or more $50 digital vouchers to help their electricity or gas bills. And while there is no certain eligibility for applicants, just keep in mind that this scheme is only available for households experiencing extreme financial hardship.
In order to get approved, you will need to get in touch with one of the EAPA providers, like St. Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army or Anglicare.
Once you are approved for these vouchers, they will automatically be sent to your energy retailer and credited to your account.
Where to apply: Apply for the EAPA scheme by getting in touch with an EAPA provider
Not from New South Wales? No worries, check out our rebate guides in:
Or if you think you're paying too much on your energy bills, find out for yourself by entering your postcode below to compare plans available in your area.
