Energy retailers will soon have to inform Centrelink recipients about the discounts they can access to ensure they receive available relief. The new rule takes effect on July 1 next year. Under this change energy companies must actively notify customers who receive government benefits about their eligibility for special rates and rebates. This requirement aims to prevent vulnerable households from missing out on financial assistance that could reduce their electricity and gas bills. Many low-income families currently do not claim the concessions they qualify for because they are unaware these programs exist. The mandatory notification system will shift responsibility to retailers to identify eligible customers & explain what support they can receive. The policy addresses a significant gap in the current system where people on welfare payments often pay standard rates despite being entitled to lower prices. Energy providers will need to update their systems and processes to comply with the new obligation before the deadline. Consumer advocates have welcomed the reform as an important step toward making energy more affordable for struggling households. They argue that automatic notifications will help thousands of families reduce their living costs during a period of rising utility expenses. The government expects the measure will increase uptake of existing concession programs and deliver meaningful savings to pensioners & other benefit recipients. Retailers will face penalties if they fail to meet their notification duties under the updated regulations.
# Lower Power Bills Available for Concession Card Holders
Millions of Australians can access extra discounts on their electricity bills if they hold concession cards. These savings apply to people who receive the age pension & JobSeeker payments. Many households across the country qualify for these reductions but may not realize they are eligible. The discounts work by lowering the amount you pay on your regular power bills throughout the year. If you currently receive government support payments you should check whether your concession card makes you eligible for energy bill relief. The age pension is one of the most common qualifications for these discounts. People receiving JobSeeker payments can also benefit from reduced electricity costs. The savings can make a real difference to household budgets. Power bills continue to be a major expense for Australian families. Any reduction in these costs helps people manage their money better & reduces financial stress. To access these discounts you typically need to provide your concession card details to your electricity provider. Most energy companies will automatically apply the discount once they verify your eligibility. The process is usually straightforward and does not require complicated paperwork. Different states & territories offer varying levels of support. The exact amount you can save depends on where you live and which concession card you hold. Some regions provide more generous discounts than others. If you are unsure about your eligibility you can contact your energy retailer directly. They can explain what discounts are available and help you apply for them. You can also check with government agencies that handle concession programs in your area. Taking advantage of these discounts is a simple way to reduce your living expenses. With energy costs remaining high these savings become increasingly valuable for households on fixed or limited incomes.
About six out of every 10 eligible Australians are believed to be missing out on this benefit. The main reason is that customers must take the initiative to ask if they qualify. Many people simply do not know they need to do this.
New Rule Requiring Retailers to Inform Customers
Under the new rule, retailers will now be required to ask customers about their eligibility for concessions and provide state-specific information on what they can receive. This will happen when customers sign up to a provider or switch to a new contract and will apply for Aussies on the pension, JobSeeker, or veterans’ payments in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and the ACT.
Minister’s Statement on Energy Bill Relief
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australians deserve better treatment regarding their energy bills. He explained that retailers must now clearly inform people about the discounts they can receive. This ensures that vulnerable households get all the financial support they are entitled to without missing any benefits. The new requirements mean energy companies have to be transparent about available discounts. Customers will no longer need to guess what savings they might qualify for. The minister emphasized that this change particularly helps families who struggle with their power costs. These measures aim to make the energy market more straightforward for consumers. People will have easier access to information about their entitlements. The government wants to ensure that no household misses out on assistance simply because they were not properly informed about their options.
What You Can Do Now to Access Help
Australians can get help with their bills right now without waiting for new rules to take effect. Anna Collyer who leads the Australian Energy Market Commission has encouraged people to reach out to their energy retailer today. She wants to make sure everyone knows they might already qualify for discounts and support programs that are currently available. Many households may not realize their retailer offers assistance schemes that could reduce their energy costs immediately. By making a simple phone call or checking online customers can find out if they are eligible for any concessions. These programs exist to help people manage their electricity and gas expenses better. The message is clear: don’t wait around for future changes when help might be accessible now. Taking action today by contacting your energy provider could lead to savings on your next bill. It only takes a few minutes to ask about what options are available and whether you meet the requirements for any current relief programs.
Who Can Get Electricity Discounts?
# Energy Bill Discounts for Concession Card Holders in Australia
Australians with certain concession cards may qualify for reduced energy bills based on their state or territory of residence. The eligible cards include the Pensioner Concession Card Health Care Card, & Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card. These discounts are designed to help people on lower incomes manage their household expenses. The amount you can save varies depending on where you live because each state and territory runs its own energy concession program. If you hold one of these cards you should check with your local energy retailer or state government to find out what rebates or discounts are available. Some states offer automatic discounts while others require you to apply separately. The savings can make a real difference to your annual energy costs. Many eligible households miss out simply because they don’t know these programs exist or forget to apply for them. Contact your energy provider directly to ask about concession rates. You can also visit your state or territory government website for detailed information about the specific programs available in your area.
Related Energy Bill Assistance Programs
The new rule also limits how often retailers can raise prices to just once per year. Starting on February 18 2026 retailers must add a “better offer” message to electricity bills. This message will tell customers when a cheaper plan exists that they could switch to.
Government Rebates for Energy Bills
More than 395,000 NSW households can claim the Family Energy Rebate but only a small number are receiving it. Families who got the Family Tax Benefit from Centrelink last financial year and submitted their tax return to the ATO can apply for the $180 energy rebate. Applications are available through the NSW government website and the deadline is June 15 2026.
Energy Bill Relief: State-Specific Schemes
The NSW Family Energy Rebate is available to people who received the Family Tax Benefit during the 2024-25 financial year. You will need several documents to apply for this rebate. These include your confirmation letter showing that your tax benefit has been finalized. You also need your Services Australia Customer Reference Number and the details from your energy account.
Power Bill Debt and Government Intervention
New data shows that 3.1% of Australian households and 3.5% of small businesses have accumulated energy debt. The Australian Energy Regulator reports that many customers are on payment plans but others are not getting the help they qualify for. Energy providers have a responsibility to support customers who struggle with their bills. The regulator found that some companies are not doing enough to inform people about available assistance programs. This means vulnerable households and businesses may be paying more than necessary or falling further behind on their accounts. The figures highlight an ongoing affordability crisis in the energy sector. Rising electricity and gas costs have put pressure on family budgets & business operations across the country. Many customers simply cannot keep up with their quarterly bills despite efforts to reduce consumption. Payment plans offer one solution by spreading costs over longer periods. However the regulator emphasizes that customers need to know these options exist before debt becomes unmanageable. Energy companies must improve their communication and outreach to ensure everyone receives appropriate support. The situation calls for better coordination between providers & customers. Early intervention can prevent small debts from growing into serious financial problems. Regulators continue to monitor how well energy companies meet their obligations to assist struggling customers during difficult economic times.
Victoria’s $100 Power Saving Bonus Scheme
Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio is encouraging eligible concession card holders to claim their $100 Power Saving Bonus before the program closes on March 31. Over 245000 households have already received support through this initiative. The minister wants to make sure that all qualifying residents take advantage of this financial assistance while it remains available. The bonus provides direct relief to help with electricity costs for those who hold valid concession cards. Households that meet the eligibility requirements should act quickly to submit their claims before the deadline passes. The program has proven popular among Victorian residents who face rising energy expenses. Officials emphasize that time is running out for concession card holders who have not yet applied for their bonus payment. The scheme was designed to ease the burden of power bills for vulnerable members of the community. Those who qualify should visit the appropriate government website or contact their energy retailer to complete the application process. The $100 payment goes directly toward reducing electricity bills for successful applicants.
Free Power Plan to Save Aussies $800 a Year
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has introduced the Solar Sharer program that provides free electricity during peak solar production times in NSW southeast Queensland and South Australia. The program aims to make solar energy available to everyone including people who do not own solar panels. The initiative allows households without rooftop solar systems to benefit from the excess solar power generated during the middle of the day. This means that renters and apartment dwellers who cannot install their own panels can now access clean energy at no cost during specific hours. The program works by utilizing the surplus solar energy that floods the grid when the sun is strongest. During these peak generation periods electricity becomes so abundant that prices drop significantly or even reach zero. The Solar Sharer program takes advantage of these conditions to deliver free power to participating households. This approach helps address the inequality in solar access that has existed for years. Homeowners with solar panels have long enjoyed reduced electricity bills while renters and those in multi-unit buildings have been left behind. The new program creates a pathway for these households to share in the benefits of renewable energy. The three participating regions were selected because they have high levels of solar panel installation and frequently experience periods of excess solar generation. These areas often produce more solar power than the grid can immediately use during sunny midday hours. By encouraging electricity use during peak solar times the program also helps stabilize the energy grid. When people shift their power consumption to match solar production it reduces strain on the system and makes better use of renewable resources.
EnergyAustralia Customer Remediation Package
EnergyAustralia must pay over $1 million in bill relief to customers who were not told about help programs they could access. The company will provide credits and debt cancellations worth $179 to each of the more than 6000 affected customers. The energy provider failed to inform these customers about assistance options that were available to them. This penalty ensures that people who missed out on support will now receive compensation. Each eligible customer will see the money applied directly to their account through either bill credits or by having existing debts removed.
End of Government’s $75 Energy Bill Discount
The $75 quarterly discount that helps Australian households manage higher energy prices will stop in February 2026. This change will probably cause electricity costs to increase by 24% for typical households in 2026. The government introduced this rebate program to ease the financial pressure from rising power bills. Families across Australia have been receiving this support every three months to reduce their energy expenses. When the program ends next year households will need to pay the full amount of their electricity bills without any government assistance. Energy market analysts predict that removing this discount will have a significant impact on household budgets. The average family currently pays lower rates because of the rebate. Once it disappears their quarterly bills will jump substantially. This increase comes at a time when many Australians are already struggling with the cost of living. The 24% rise means that a household currently paying around $400 per quarter could see their bill increase to approximately $496. Over a full year this adds up to an extra $384 in electricity costs. For families on tight budgets this additional expense will require careful financial planning. Some households may need to find ways to reduce their energy consumption to offset the higher costs. This could include using appliances during off-peak hours or investing in more energy-efficient devices. Others might need to adjust their spending in other areas to accommodate the increased electricity bills. The end of this discount program reflects broader challenges in the energy sector. Power generation costs have been rising due to various factors including infrastructure upgrades and changes in fuel prices. Without the government subsidy these costs will be passed directly to consumers. Financial experts recommend that households start preparing now for the change. Creating a budget that accounts for higher energy costs can help families avoid financial stress when the discount ends. Some may also want to explore different energy plans or providers to find the most competitive rates available.
Summary and Next Steps
Australians dealing with expensive energy bills have several government programs they can use to reduce costs. A new regulation now requires energy companies to actively tell customers about discounts they qualify for. You should reach out to your energy provider right away to make sure you get all the assistance available to you. If you have not done so yet you should think about signing up for the Family Energy Rebate or Power Saving Bonus before these programs end.
