In this article, Canstar Blue has compiled the current energy rebates and vouchers currently available to New South Wales residents. There are quite a few electricity and gas rebates on offer, all with varying eligibility criteria.
Electricity and gas rebates in NSW
NSW has a range of energy rebates, concessions and vouchers available to residential customers. NSW households may be eligible to apply for more than one rebate, so it’s best to read the terms and conditions to maximise all financial assistance available.
Here are the rebates available:
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
EAPA is a rebate available for anyone having trouble paying their electricity bills due to a short-term financial crisis.
Note: Customers should contact their energy retailer to inform them of their application for EAPA. Energy retailers cannot disconnect customers while they are waiting to be assessed.
- Rebate amount: Based on application
- Eligibility: NSW households experiencing loss of income, unexpected medical costs, natural disaster or receival of disconnection letter. Service NSW will judge the severity of each hardship
- Applied to: Electricity or natural gas bills
- How to apply: Online, in person or over the phone. Users can submit applications through their MyServiceNSW accounts
- Needed for application: Two proof of identity documents and the current power bill as evidence of financial crisis
- Next step: Within two to six weeks, applicants will be contacted by a NSW Government employee who will assess eligibility and discuss support options.
Compare New South Wales energy prices
Here are some sponsored 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 energy 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
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8% Less than reference price |
$1,658 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,477 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,491 Price/year (estimated) |
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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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
Low Income Household Rebate
The Low Income Household Rebate is supplied by the NSW government to households that can prove their concessional status.
- Rebate amount: $285 (excluding GST) annually
- Eligibility: Applicants 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)
- Applied to: Electricity bills
- How to apply: Customers who pass eligibility requirements should speak with their electricity retailer. Those applying should have the appropriate concession card/s ready and ask for the Low Income Household Rebate to be applied to their account.
Note: those who receive the Low Income Household Rebate will automatically receive the National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment of $500, providing the household has not already received it.
Gas Rebate
The NSW Gas Rebate goes towards residential gas payments, whether that be natural gas or LPG. To qualify for this rebate, households must prove they’re within a low income bracket.
- Rebate amount: $110 (excluding GST) per year for natural gas
- Eligibility: Individuals must hold either a Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Services Australia/DVA, Services Australia Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card marked with ‘War Widow, or ‘War Widower Pension’, ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI), or ‘Disability Pension’ (EDA). Must have a natural gas or LPG account and applicant must be the account holder
- Applied to: Natural gas or LPG costs
- How to apply: Customers who pass eligibility requirements should speak with their gas retailer. Those applying should have the appropriate concession card/s ready and ask for the NSW Gas Rebate to be applied to their account.
Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for the NSW Gas Rebate (on supply and bottled gas households).
Seniors Energy Rebate
Seniors in NSW could be eligible to receive a direct deposit into their bank or credit union account for the purpose of paying electricity bills.
- Rebate amount: $200 per household, per year
- Eligibility: Seniors looking to apply must have be a self-funded retiree and hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as be the account holder on the electricity bill for their primary place of residence
- Applied to: Bank/credit union account
- How to apply: You’ll have the choice of either applying online, through a service centre or over the phone. Online applications are found on the Service NSW website, where if you’re eligible you could receive a deposit into your elected bank account within just five business days.
Note: those who receive the Seniors Energy Rebate and pass the eligibility criteria will receive the National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment of $500, providing the household has not already received it.
Family Energy Rebate
This power rebate is designed for families with dependents, such as children. How much you’ll be able to receive from the government will be determined by the NSW government.
- Rebate amount: Varies depending on circumstances, up to $180 a year
- Eligibility: Households will be eligible for this rebate if they’ve received the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) in the last financial year, with entitlements to the FTB payments finalised by Centrelink
- Applied to: Electricity bills
- How to apply: Customers can apply for the Family Energy Rebate online, or through the post.
Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for the NSW Family Energy Rebate (on supply customers).
Life Support Rebate
A rebate for people with life support equipment at home. The NSW government provides an electricity rebate to help cover the large power bills that life support machines (e.g. home dialysis, ventilators and oxygen concentrators) can contribute to.
- Rebate amount: depending on the type of life support machine, up to $1,343 per household*
- Eligibility: Any electricity account holder who is using approved life support equipment at their place of residence. A registered medical practitioner must verify the type and usage of machinery
- Applied to: Electricity bills
- How to apply: Customers must download the NSW Life Support Rebate Application Form from the Service NSW website and complete all areas of the form. The applicant’s medical practitioner should then complete their relevant sections and sign the declaration. Once those steps are completed, the form needs to be sent to the account holder’s electricity provider.
*Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for the NSW Life Support Rebate (on supply customers).
Medical Energy Rebate
The Medical Energy Rebate is designed for individuals in NSW who are unable to self-regulate body temperature, therefore rely on air conditioning and heating.
- Rebate amount: up to $285 a year
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card. Someone at the property must meet at least one primary and one secondary qualifying condition and have an assessment by a registered GP or specialist
- Applied to: Electricity bills
- How to apply: Applicants and their GP or specialist need to complete the Medical Energy Rebate form online or over the phone through Service NSW. They then need to send the form directly to their electricity provider.
Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for the Medical Energy Rebate (on-supply).
Image credits: Taras Vyshnya/shutterstock.com
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