Energy Concessions

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the NSW Family Energy Rebate in a given financial year, you must:

• be a NSW resident
• be an on-supplied customer named on the bill of an energy retailer.
• 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 Services Australia.

What you need:

Before you apply, you’ll need to have:

• lodged your tax return for the last financial year with the Australian Taxation Office. If you or your partner didn’t need to lodge a tax return, notify Services Australia of this. They cannot finalise your FTB until they have this information.
• received a confirmation letter from Services Australia that your FTB has been finalised for the last financial year.

When you’ve done both these things, you’re ready to apply for a rebate. You’ll also need:

• your Services Australia Customer Reference Number (CRN)
• your Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) number (if applicable)
• your personal and contact details
• a copy of your recent energy bill
• the Family Energy Rebate Application Form 2021-2022 – PDF.

How to apply:

1. Download and complete this form.
2. Attach a copy of your most recent energy bill.
3. Lodge your application by post or email to the details on the form.

More information:

• The Family Energy Rebate for eligible on-supplied residents of community/retirement villages or strata schemes is up to $198. The amount varies depending on whether you’re also eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate (on supply customers).
• Invoices must be printed or handwritten if:
  • they have been prepared from a branded invoice book (company stamps will not be accepted)
  • the supplier doesn’t have the capacity to provide printed invoices.

The Low Income Household Rebate helps eligible low income NSW households cover the costs of their energy bills. It is paid once each financial year.

If you live in an on-supplied residential community, retirement village or strata scheme and you meet the Eligibility Requirements, you can apply rebate online.

Eligibility:

You can apply for the Low-Income Household Energy Rebate if:

• you’re a NSW resident
• you’re an on-supplied customer named on the energy bill.
• you hold 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, or
  • DVA Gold Card marked with either ‘War Widow’ or ‘War Widower Pension’, or ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI) or ‘Disability Pension’ (EDA).

Note: Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for this rebate. If you’re unsure of your rebate eligibility, call 13 77 88.

What you need:

• a printed (not hand-written) copy of your latest energy bill (JPG or PDF file) which must have:
  • your name and address printed on it
  • the most recent meter reading dates for your household (taken after 1 July in the current financial year and be less than 3 months old).
• personal and contact details
• pensioner concession, health care or gold card details
• your bank account details for the electronic funds transfer.

How to apply:

1. Check you meet the Eligibility.
2. Apply online here: https://applications.larry.energy.nsw.gov.au/.
3. Follow the prompts to apply for the rebate.

If you’re unable to apply online:

1. Download and complete this application form
2. Attach a copy of your most recent energy bill.
3. Lodge your application by post or email to the details on the form.

More information:

• You’ll receive your rebate as a lump sum payment of $313.50 deposited into your bank account.
• Invoices must be printed or hand-written if:
  • they have been prepared from a branded invoice book (company stamps will not be accepted)
  • the supplier does not have the capacity to provide printed invoices.
• The rebate is only applied to your principal place of residence.
• A household can only receive one Low Income Household Rebate each financial year.

The Life Support Energy Rebate helps eligible NSW households cover the costs of their energy bills.

• The rebate is for NSW customers who need, or have someone living with them who needs, to use approved energy-intensive medical equipment at home. The equipment must be essential for supporting life, such as home dialysis, ventilators, and oxygen concentrators.
• If you live in an on-supplied residential community, retirement village or strata scheme, you can apply for the rebate online.

Eligibility:

You can apply for the Life Support Energy Rebate if you or someone living at the address of the eligible customer:

• is a NSW resident
• is an on-supplied customer named on the energy bill.
• has been assessed by a registered medical practitioner to verify that the use of the approved life support equipment is required at their principal place of residence.

What you need:

• your personal and contact details
• your medical practitioner to complete and sign the Medical Declaration Form
• your bank account details for the electronic funds transfer.
• a printed (not hand-written) copy of your latest energy invoice (JPG or PDF file). Hand-written invoices will only be accepted if:
  • they have been prepared from a branded invoice book (company stamps will not be accepted)
  • the supplier does not have the capacity to provide printed invoices.

How to apply:

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Apply online here: https://applications.larry.energy.nsw.gov.au/.
3. Follow the prompts to apply for the rebate.

If you’re unable to apply online:

1. Download and complete this form
2. Ask your medical practitioner (GP or specialist) to complete the medical declaration in the form.
3. Attach a copy of your most recent electricity bill.
4. Lodge your application by post or email to the details on the form.

More information:

• You’ll need to reapply for this rebate every 2 years.
• You can receive more than one rebate if your doctor has prescribed more than one type of machine, such as an oxygen concentrator and a ventilator.
• If more than one person uses the approved equipment, you can receive multiple rebates, but you need to submit a separate application form for each patient.
• Some machines have a part-time and full-time (24-hour-a-day) rate rebate. Your doctor will need to indicate on the form the rate you use the equipment.

The Medical Energy Rebate helps eligible NSW households cover the costs of their energy bills.

The rebate is for NSW customers who have an inability to self-regulate body temperature when exposed to extreme hot or cold environmental temperatures. To be eligible for the rebate, you’ll need to have a diagnosis that you’re unable to self-regulate your body temperature.

If you live in an on-supplied residential community, retirement village or strata scheme, you can apply for the rebate online.

Eligibility:

You can apply for the Medical Energy Rebate if you or someone living at the address of the eligible customer:

• is a NSW resident
• is an on-supplied customer named on the energy bill
• has an inability to self-regulate body temperature
• has been assessed by a registered medical practitioner (who is not the applicant) who has been treating them for at least 3 months
• meets at least one Primary Qualifying Condition and at least one Secondary Qualifying Condition
• holds one of the following concession cards:
  • Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) or Services Australia
  • Health Care Card issued by Services Australia, or
  • DVA Gold Card.

If you’ve been treated by different doctors from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for at least 3 months, you may still be eligible for the rebate.

Note: Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for this rebate. If you’re unsure of your rebate eligibility, call 13 77 88.

What you need:

• your personal and contact details
• your pensioner concession, health care or gold card details
• your bank account details for the electronic funds transfer
• a printed (not hand-written) copy of your latest energy invoice (JPG or PDF file). Hand-written invoices will only be accepted if:
  • they have been prepared from a branded invoice book (company stamps will not be accepted)
  • the supplier does not have the capacity to provide printed invoices.

How to apply:

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Apply online here: https://applications.larry.energy.nsw.gov.au/.
3. Follow the prompts to apply for the rebate.

If you’re unable to apply online:

1. Download and complete this form
2. Ask your medical practitioner (GP or specialist) to complete the form.
3. Attach a copy of your most recent energy bill.
4. Lodge your application by post or email to the details on the form.

More information:

You’ll receive the rebate payment of $313.50 deposited into your bank account.

Eligibility:

An account holder who holds one of the following eligible cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

How much is the concession?

Rebate amounts for 2022-23 are:

• $132 for spending from $185 to $530.99
• $264 for spending from $531 to $1062.99
• $396 for spending $1063 and above

How to apply:

• Download and complete the application form
• Return your complete form to NMEC.rebates@health.vic.gov.au or mail to:
  Non-Mains Water Concession Department of Families, Fairness and Housing GPO Box 1774 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
• Applications for each year will close on 30 June of the following year.
• Applications must include copies of paid invoices or receipts.
• Department staff will check your concession card details with Centrelink and provide the concession as a rebate.
• For more information, phone the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

More information:  https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/non-mains-water-concession.

Eligibility:

An account holder who holds one of the following eligible cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

How much is the concession?

The concession is paid annually based on the amount paid for each energy type in that year. Up to $604 is paid for each energy type used.

How to apply:

• Download and complete this application form
• Return your complete form to NMEC.rebates@health.vic.gov.au or mail to:
  Non-Mains Water Concession Department of Families, Fairness and Housing GPO Box 1774 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
• Applications for each year close on 31 December of the following year.
• Applications must include copies of paid invoices or receipts.
• Department staff will check your concession card details with Centrelink and provide the concession as a rebate.
• For more information, phone the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

More information: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession

Non-mains utility relief is available to Victorians on very low incomes who have experienced unexpected hardship.

Eligibility:

An account holder who holds one of the following eligible concession cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.

You must meet one of the following criteria:

• You or someone in your house has experienced family violence.
• You have had a recent decrease in income, for example, lost your job.
• You have had high unexpected costs for essential items.
• The cost of shelter is more than 30% of your household income.

How much is the concession?

• The amount of the grant is based on the amount you owe at the time of application. It is also based on the reasons you have given for applying in your application form.
• You can receive a maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period.

How to apply:

Phone the Concessions information line on 1800 658 521.

The Utilities Concession covers electricity, natural gas, water and sewerage and is calculated daily, with rates depending on the season.  The Utilities Concession is available to eligible residents of ACT caravan parks and retirement villages with embedded electricity networks. For eligible customers, the rebate is applied on your Energy Trade electricity bills at a daily rate up to the annual concession amount of $750.

Eligibility:

Must be the primary card holder of one of the following:

• Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
• Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card (HCC)
• Veteran Affairs pensioner concession card or Gold Card Holders.
• ACT Service Access Card.

How much is the concession?

• For eligible customers, the rebate is applied on your Energy Trade electricity bills at a daily rate up to the annual concession amount of $750.

How to apply:

Please provide your information to us through our ACT concession form so we can promptly process your submission and apply the applicable concession to your energy bills.

The Life Support Rebate alleviates the financial stress of individuals with a life-threatening condition. The rebate is available on electrically operated life support equipment (as prescribed by an ACT medical practitioner) necessary in the treatment of a life-threatening condition. The entitlement provides eligible individuals with a rebate on their electricity accounts.

Eligibility:

Eligibility is determined by the energy provider. However, as a general guideline, the life support equipment must be prescribed by an ACT medical practitioner for the treatment of a life-threatening condition and there must be proof that the applicant resides in the ACT at the address for which the relevant utility account is held.

Eligible equipment:

The following electrically operated life-support equipment entitles the applicant to an electricity life-support rebate:

• dialysis machine
• oxygen concentrator
• respirator
• CPAP regulator
• long stay life support
• nebuliser
• LS reference
• TPN device
• other apparatus subject to approval.

How much is the concession?

The annual rebate amount for 2022-2023 is $128. This will be applied to the eligible applicant’s electricity bill at a daily rate of approximately 35.068 cents per day. Only one Life Support Rebate can be claimed per household.

How to apply:

Send your medical confirmation form to lifesupport@urban.energylocals.com.au. You will be asked to produce a letter from your medical practitioner/authorised medical officer stating your need for life support equipment.

More information: https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/community-assistance/life-support-rebate

The Queensland Government provides an electricity life support concession for eligible people who are seriously ill and use a home-based oxygen concentrator or kidney dialysis machine. This concession is to contribute to the electricity cost of running these machines.

Eligibility:

Oxygen concentrators

To be eligible, you must:

• receive your oxygen concentrator free of charge through the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) AND
• have been medically assessed in accordance with the eligibility criteria determined by MASS AND
• hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Health Care Interim Voucher, Child Disability Allowance, Queensland Seniors Card.

Kidney dialysis machines

To be eligible, you must receive your home-based kidney dialysis machine free of charge through a Queensland Health hospital.

How much is the concession?

If you are eligible for the concession, you will receive a payment of:

• $758.04 per year, or $63.17 per month ($189.51 per quarter) for each oxygen concentrator, or
• $507.65 per year, or $42.30 per month ($126.90 per quarter) for each kidney dialysis machine you use.

The concession is calculated monthly and paid quarterly.

How to apply:

Oxygen concentrator

To apply, complete the Electricity Life Support Concession application form. The form will be sent to you within 14 working days of receiving your machine. If you do not receive an application form, contact the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme to request a new one.

Kidney dialysis

To apply, complete the Electricity Life Support Concession application form that will be provided to you from the Renal Unit at Queensland Health Hospitals.

A parent or guardian can submit an application on behalf of a child under 18.

A person holding power of attorney, under the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 (Qld), may sign the application on behalf of the applicant.

For help completing the application, phone Concession Services on 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Incomplete or inaccurate applications may delay your concession payment.

More information: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions/medical-concessions/electricity-life-support

Queensland pensioners and seniors may be eligible for:

• the Electricity Rebate—$372.20 per year (GST inclusive)

Eligibility:

Rebates are available to people who have any of the below:

• Queensland Seniors Card
• Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
• Services Australia Health Care Card * (Electricity Rebate only)
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (and receive the War Widow/er Pension or special rate TPI Pension)
• Asylum seeker status—residents will need to provide their ImmiCard details (Electricity Rebate only).

To be eligible, you must be the electricity account holder and also live alone or share your principal place of residence with (only) any of the below:

• your spouse
• other people who hold a Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Queensland Seniors Card
• other people wholly dependent on you
• other people who receive an income support or families payment from Services Australia who do not pay rent
• other people who receive an income support payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and who do not pay rent
• other people who live with the cardholder to provide care and assistance, and who do not pay rent.

If you live in a caravan park or multi-unit residential building (e.g. apartment), you must also show that your electricity or reticulated natural gas is paid, based on metered consumption.

How much is the concession?

$372.20 per year (GST inclusive)

How to apply:

1. Download and complete this form
2. Send a completed copy to hello@urban.energylocals.com.au

The Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme helps with electricity costs for people who have a chronic medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis, autonomic system dysfunction, significant burns or a severe inflammatory skin condition, which is aggravated by changes in temperature. If you are already receiving the Electricity Rebate or other energy concessions, you can apply for this concession.

Eligibility:

You must:

• be a Queensland resident and
• have a qualifying medical condition and need cooling or heating to stop your symptoms becoming significantly worse.
• live at your principal place of residence, which has an air-conditioning or heating unit.
• Have a qualifying medical condition which includes multiple sclerosis, autonomic system dysfunction, loss of skin integrity or sweating capacity, severe compromise of functioning such as mobility at extremes of environmental temperature, hypersensitivity to extremes of environmental temperature leading to increased pain or other discomfort or an increased risk of complications.
• hold a current Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or a current Services Australia Health Care Card and
• be financially responsible for paying the electricity bill.
• re-apply for the concession every two years

How much is the concession?

If your application is successful, you’ll receive $372.21 per year, with $93.06 paid into your bank account each quarter.

How to apply:

1. download and complete the application form
2. post your application to the address listed on the form.

More information: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions/medical-concessions/medical-cooling-heating-electricity-concession-scheme

The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme:

• is for Queensland households experiencing problems paying their electricity or reticulated natural gas bills as a result of an unforeseen emergency or a short-term financial crisis that has occurred within the past 12 months.
• is a one-off emergency assistance to help with paying your home energy bills
• pays up to $720 once every 2 years.

Eligibility:

To be eligible you must be responsible for paying the outstanding bill and meet one of the following:

• hold a current concession card, or
• have an income equal to or less than the Australian Government’s maximum income rate for part-age pensioners, contact Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for details of the maximum income rate.
• be part of your energy provider’s hardship program or payment plan.

You must also have experienced:

• a substantial decrease in your household income (e.g., loss/decrease of employment hours, family separation) or
• high unexpected expenses on essential items. (You may be asked to provide documents or receipts for repairs/purchases to verify this information).

How much is the concession?

• If your application is successful, you’ll receive up to pays up to $720 once every 2 years.

How to apply?

To apply:

• Call us on 1300 001 255 to assess your eligibility and to be provided an application number and application form.

More information: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions/energy-concessions/home-energy-emergency-assistance-scheme