New South Wales households who are struggling to pay their energy bills may soon be eligible for additional support from the state government, thanks to bolstered energy rebates as part of the NSW Budget.
From July 1, 2024, the state government has said it will be providing an additional $100 million in funding to support vulnerable energy customers such as seniors, pensioners, veterans, low-income earners, families and the immunocompromised.
This funding will see pre-existing energy rebates and concessions in the state jump by as much as 39% in the new financial year, with the Low-Income Household Rebate, Medical Energy Rebate, Family Energy Rebate, Seniors Energy Rebate and Life Support Rebate all expected to receive an increase.
The NSW Government has said the additional $100 million in funding coincides with an already allocated $326 million for these rebates in 2024-2025, as well as for the state’s financial crisis support payment – Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA).
The cap on the EAPA scheme is currently $500 for the 2023-2024 financial year. This payment helps households to cover their power bills in the event of a short-term financial crisis due to an emergency, such as loss of income or natural disaster.
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said the state government was committed to providing support on essential services, such as electricity, for households.
“The NSW Government is delivering on its promise to provide relief to families and other households who are finding it difficult to pay their energy bills,” she said. “We understand many people are doing it tough. This additional funding will make a material difference to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
In addition to funding increases for energy rebates, the NSW Government has also said it will be investing $260 million into the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of its latest budget. The state’s EV rebates however, will be scrapped on January 1, 2024.
What will the new energy rebates look like in NSW?
Households receiving the Low-Income Household Rebate, Medical Energy Rebate, Family Energy Rebate or Seniors Energy Rebate are expected to see increases of up to 39% from July 1, 2024.
We have listed the current energy rebate, as well as the new cost for each rebate below. Please note, these are the total annual costs available for each rebate.
| Energy Rebate | Annual Amount as at July 1, 2023 | New Annual Amount from July 1, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Low-Income Household Rebate | $285 | $350 |
| Medical Energy Rebate | $285 | $350 |
| Seniors Energy Rebate | $200 | $250 |
| Family Energy Rebate (full payment) | $180 | $250 |
| Family Energy Rebate (partial payment) | $20 | $30 |
Households receiving the Life Support Rebate are also set to see an increase of 22% for each piece of equipment they claim in a financial year. These costs however, vary depending on the equipment in use.
Learn more about the various energy rebates and concessions available to households in NSW with Canstar Blue’s NSW energy rebate guide.
Worried about your power prices in NSW? See if you could be paying a better price with one of these cheap electricity deals
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 3911kWh/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 Endeavour Energy network in Wollongong but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4913kWh/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 Essential Energy network in Coffs Harbour but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/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.
Am I eligible for these energy rebates in NSW?
You may be eligible for one or more of these rebates in NSW depending on your age, income level and personal situation. We have listed the eligibility criteria for each of these rebates below.
- Low-Income Household Rebate: must hold a DVA or Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card, Services Australia Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card marked with ‘War Widow’, ‘War Widower Pension’, ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI) or ‘Disability Pension’ (EDA).
- Medical Energy Rebate: must be able to prove an inability to self-regulate body temperature as assessed by a registered medical practitioner. A Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card may also be necessary.
- Seniors Energy Rebate: must be a self-funded retiree and hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Family Energy Rebate: must have received the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) in the last financial year, with entitlements to the FTB payments finalised by Centrelink. A partial payment will be given if the household also received the Low-Income Household Rebate.
- Life Support Rebate: must have approved life support equipment at the place of residence.
For further information regarding any of these rebates it is best to visit the NSW Government’s website. Please note, if you are ineligible for any of the above rebates there may be other incentives, payment support or concessions available to you through your energy retailer.
Not in NSW? See if you are eligible for an energy rebate in your state or territory with Canstar Blue’s full energy concessions guide.
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