KEY POINTS
- The Energy Bill Relief Fund 2024-25 and its 2025-26 extension are energy bill relief payments for vulnerable households and small businesses offered by the Federal Government.
- The 2025-26 extension offers two quarterly instalments totaling $150 towards eligible energy bills.
- State Governments may also offer separate energy bill relief payments.
On this page:
- What is the Energy Bill Relief Fund?
- Compare electricity plans
- Energy bill relief in New South Wales
- Energy bill relief in Victoria
- Energy bill relief in Queensland
- Energy bill relief in South Australia
- Energy bill relief in Western Australia
- Energy bill relief in Tasmania
- Energy bill relief in the ACT
- Energy bill relief in Northern Territory
- Energy bill relief from retailers
- AGL energy bill relief
- EnergyAustralia energy bill relief
- Origin energy bill relief
- Other energy relief services
What is the Energy Bill Relief Fund?
The Energy Bill Relief Fund 2023-24 and its 2024-25 and 2025-26 extensions were introduced by the Federal Government to help cover the energy costs of residential households and small businesses.
For more information, please visit the Federal Government’s official website.
Energy bill relief 2024-2025
Under the 2024-25 extension, households received $300 towards electricity bills in quarterly instalments. This was automatically applied by energy providers to customers’ electricity bills as early as 1 July 2024.
Households on an embedded network needed to apply to their state or territory government to receive the payment.
Energy bill relief 2025-2026
With the latest Energy bill relief extension, eligible households or embedded network customers can expect to receive up to $150 in two $75 quarterly payments between July 2025 and Dec 2025.
The Energy Bill Relief Fund will be disbursed similarly to the 2024-25 extension.
Compare electricity plans
One of the best ways to save on your electricity bills is to compare your plan against the cheapest on the market. Use the Canstar Blue tool below to get started:
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Energy bill relief in New South Wales
In 2025, eligible households in New South Wales may receive up to $150 as part of the National Energy Bill Relief extension.
Another assistance payment for eligible New South Wales’ residents is the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme. This scheme is for those unable to pay their energy bill due to short-term financial hardship, short-term crisis or emergency.
Other payments
There are various other energy rebates available in NSW for eligible households. More information about these additional rebates can be found on the NSW Government’s website.
Other available rebates and concessions include:
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Government Gas Rebate
- Seniors Energy Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate
- Life Support Energy Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate.
Energy bill relief in Victoria
Under the Power Saving Bonus scheme, eligible Victorian concession card holders will receive a one-off $100 payment from August 25, 2025 to help defray their energy spend.
Eligible Victorian households can also expect to receive up to $150 from the 2024-2025 National Energy Bill Relief extension.
Low-income households struggling to pay their energy bills can also access the Energy Assistance Program to help them navigate the energy market, manage their bills and understand their customer rights.
Other payments
Further state-sanctioned discounts, concessions and rebates are available in Victoria. More information can be found on Victoria’s Department of Energy website.
Additional rebates and concessions include:
- Annual Electricity Concession
- Excess Electricity Concession
- Winter Gas Concession
- Excess Gas Concession
- Life Support Concession
- Medical Cooling Concession
- Non Mains Energy Concession
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme (non-mains).
Energy bill relief in Queensland
Eligible Queenslanders are entitled to the Federal Government’s $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund payments in 2025-26.
Eligible concession card holders in Queensland can also access the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme. This relief payment of up to $720 every two years is for Queenslanders experiencing unforeseen emergencies and financial crises within the last 12 months.
Other payments
There are multiple state-specific rebates and concessions available in Queensland. Additional rebates and concessions include:
- Electricity Rebate
- Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate
- Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme
- Electricity Life Support Concession
- Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme.
Energy bill relief in South Australia
South Australians, including customers living in embedded networks, will automatically receive $150 in two quarterly payments from the 2025-26 extension.
South Australians experiencing financial hardship could also receive up to $800 into their electricity account once every two years as part of the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS).
Other payments
There are several other state-specific rebates and concessions available in South Australia. Additional rebates and concessions include:
- Energy Bill Concession
- Cost of Living Concession (COLC)
- Residential Park Resident Concession
- Medical Heating and Cooling Concession
- Home Dialysis Electricity Concession
Energy bill relief in Western Australia
Aussies living in Western Australia will be paid $150 as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
Other payments
Eligible customers or households registered for the Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) in Western Australia will receive a $342.85 emergency assistance payment and possibly an air-conditioning and/or dependent child rebate.ECES customers will begin receiving their credit 4-6 weeks after applying.
Energy bill relief in Tasmania
Like other states, eligible Tasmanians will be credited $150 in two quarterly payments as per the 2025-26 National Bill Relief scheme.
Concession card or eligible bridging visa holders can also apply for the annual electricity concession, providing up to 176.866 cents of financial support per day.
Aurora Energy customers
Aurora Energy residential and small business customers who are experiencing hardship may be eligible to request an extension through their Aurora Energy accounts. More information can be found via Aurora Energy.
Energy bill relief in the ACT
Residents in the ACT will receive the Energy Bill Relief Fund’s 2025-26 extension, which includes the $150 payments for each household. These payments will be automatically applied to your bill by your electricity provider.
ACT concession cardholders, including areas serviced by an embedded network, can apply for the 2025- 2026 Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate. The value of the rebate is calculated daily, with rates changing depending on the season.
Energy bill relief in the Northern Territory
Eligible households and small businesses in the Northern Territory may receive an Energy Bill Relief payment of up to $150. Find out more information at the NT Government’s website.
Energy bill relief from retailers
If you require further financial assistance to pay your energy bill on top of the government rebates, you can contact your electricity provider directly.
All energy providers must have energy hardship policies in place, which allow customers experiencing financial hardship to avoid disconnection or debt recovery action.
AGL energy bill relief
AGL’s Staying Connected program (known as Payment Support Victoria in VIC) offers financial help and personalised assistance to customers having temporary or ongoing trouble paying their energy bills.
AGL may ask customers to pay what they can afford or work with them to help them use power more efficiently.
AGL customers needing financial assistance can contact the retailer on 131 245.
EnergyAustralia energy bill relief
EnergyAustralia offers its customers the EnergyAssist Program. This program can help customers apply for government grants and other assistance schemes. Customers in the program may also have their accounts removed from standard EnergyAustralia credit and collection activities, and be offered flexible payment methods and extensions.
Customers in financial hardship can call EnergyAustralia on 133 466.
Origin energy bill relief
Origin customers have access to payment plans, spend controls, service limitations, temporary plan adjustments, personalised financial agreements, bill smoothing and the potential waiver of late fees.
In NSW, ACT, QLD, SA, NT and WA, Origin’s financial assistance program is called Power On. In Victoria, Origin customers can access help through the Victorian Payment Difficulties Framework.
Customers requiring financial assistance can contact Origin on 1300 980 711.
Other emergency relief services
If your financial emergency isn’t directly related to energy, there are other assistance programs worth looking into. You could start your research with Services Australia’s rundown of crisis payments.
There is assistance available from many non-profit organisations, including in specific circumstances such as if you’re experiencing family and domestic violence.
The National Debt Helpline has suggestions for where you can seek aid. It may also be possible to receive an advance on payments, including Family Tax Benefit A, from Centrelink to help you cover unexpected costs.
While you’re looking at energy bill relief, it might also be worthwhile checking out the current cheapest electricity deals. You can begin by clicking the Canstar Blue button below for more information.
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