For many Australians, the phrase “Energy Bills Relief Act” conjures images of direct, universal government payments designed to ease cost-of-living pressures. While the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund provided significant credits to households and small businesses in the 2023-24 and the first half of the 2025-26 financial years, these broad, automatic payments largely concluded on 31 December 2025 for most households. As of May 2026, direct, universal federal bill relief is not being applied to household electricity accounts.
However, this does not mean support has vanished entirely. Instead, the focus for 2026 has shifted. Australians are now primarily supported through a combination of ongoing state and territory government concessions and rebates, alongside federal incentives for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations that reduce long-term energy consumption and costs. Understanding these nuanced programs is crucial for managing your household energy budget.
Federal Support for Long-Term Energy Savings (2026)
While the direct bill credits from the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund have ended, the Australian Government continues to offer substantial programs aimed at reducing energy costs through investment in cleaner, more efficient technologies:
- Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (STCs): This scheme provides an upfront discount on eligible solar panel installations. The value of this discount varies by system size and location but can be significant. For instance, a 6.6kW system might see an upfront reduction of approximately $1,600 in Brisbane, $2,000 in Sydney, or $2,800-$3,200 in the Northern Territory in 2026. These STCs are typically handled by your installer, who deducts the value from your system’s purchase price.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program: Expanded from 1 May 2026, this program offers a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh). This applies to batteries connected to new or existing solar PV systems and is a national scheme designed to complement other state and territory incentives.
- Household Energy Upgrades Fund (HEUF): This fund works with lenders to provide discounted finance products for various home upgrades, including battery-ready solar PV systems and modern, energy-efficient appliances.
These federal programs are designed to empower households to take control of their energy consumption and reduce their reliance on grid electricity, offering long-term savings rather than one-off bill relief.
State and Territory Energy Concessions & Rebates (2026)
The most significant ongoing direct bill relief for eligible Australians in 2026 comes from state and territory governments. Eligibility for these programs typically hinges on holding a valid concession card, such as a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and being the primary account holder for the electricity or gas service.
Here’s a breakdown of key state and territory concessions and rebates available in 2026:
| State/Territory | Key Rebates/Concessions (2026) | Typical Annual Value (AUD) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Low Income Household Rebate | $285 | Concession card holders |
| Family Energy Rebate | Up to $180 | Family Tax Benefit recipients (non-concession: $180, concession: $20) | |
| Seniors Energy Rebate | $200 | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders | |
| VIC | Annual Electricity Concession | 17.5% off usage/supply | Concession card holders (after first $171.60/yr) |
| Winter Gas Concession | 17.5% off usage/supply | Concession card holders (May-Oct, after first $62.40) | |
| Utility Relief Grant Scheme | Up to $650 per utility | Financial hardship, every 2 years | |
| QLD | Electricity Rebate | $386.34 | Pensioners, seniors, veterans |
| Medical Cooling/Heating | $522.09 | Eligible medical conditions | |
| Home Energy Emergency Scheme | Up to $720 | One-off for financial crisis, every 2 years | |
| SA | Energy Concession | Up to $281.78 | Concession card holders / fixed income |
| SACEDO (Origin Energy) | 20% off electricity, 15% off gas | Eligible concession card holders | |
| WA | Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) | $342.85 | Concession card holders |
| Dependent Child Rebate | Varies daily | Concession card holders with dependent children | |
| TAS | Annual Electricity Concession | Concession card holders | |
| Heating Allowance | $56 | Pensioner Concession Card holders | |
| ACT | Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate | Up to $800 | Concession card holders |
| NT | NT Concession Scheme – Electricity | Up to $1,200 (capped at 8,000 kWh) | Concession card holders |
Note: Rebate amounts and eligibility criteria can change, typically on 1 July each year. Always verify the latest details with the relevant state or territory government department or your energy retailer.
Beyond Direct Relief: Energy Efficiency Upgrades
With the winding down of broad federal bill relief, investing in energy-efficient home upgrades becomes a critical strategy for long-term savings. Many states offer programs that provide discounts or incentives for these improvements:
- Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program: Offers point-of-sale discounts on a wide range of energy-saving products, including LED lighting, efficient heating and cooling systems, and insulation. From 1 October 2026, ceiling insulation rebates will expand to all eligible residential homes.
- NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS): Provides incentives for installing or upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment, such as eligible air conditioning systems.
- South Australia’s Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS): This scheme incentivises energy retailers to help households and businesses reduce energy costs through discounted energy-efficient upgrades, including heat pump hot water systems and battery/Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs. From 2026, REPS is more targeted towards Priority Group households.
- Heat Pump Hot Water Systems: Both NSW and Victoria offer rebates for eligible heat pump hot water systems, often up to $1,000, which can be combined with federal STC incentives. These systems are up to three times more efficient than traditional electric or gas water heaters.
These programs, combined with federal STC and battery incentives, can significantly reduce the upfront cost of upgrades that deliver substantial ongoing savings. For instance, a household investing in a high-efficiency heat pump hot water system could see their water heating costs plummet, especially when paired with solar PV. You can learn more about these options in our guide: Best Heat Pump Hot Water Systems in Australia 2026: Costs, Rebates & Buyer’s Guide.
“Four million Australians have rooftop solar, but only around 180,000 are doubling their savings with access to a home battery. That means that 95.5 per cent of solar households, already saving $1500 on average on their power bills thanks to their panels, could be saving even more through home energy storage.”
How to Access Current Relief and Support
- Check Eligibility: The first step for any rebate or concession is to confirm your eligibility. This usually involves holding a specific concession card and ensuring the energy account is in your name at your primary residence. Websites like energy.gov.au and your state or territory government’s official sites are the best resources.
- Contact Your Retailer: For most ongoing electricity and gas concessions, you will need to provide your concession card details directly to your energy retailer. The discount is then applied to your bill.
- Apply Directly: Some specific rebates or emergency assistance schemes may require a direct application through a state government portal (e.g., Service NSW, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in Victoria, Smart Services Queensland).
- Consider Energy Audits and Upgrades: Explore state-based energy-saving schemes and federal incentives for solar and batteries. Engaging with accredited installers who can factor in available rebates upfront is often the easiest way to access these. For those facing high heating bills, strategies like improving insulation or upgrading to efficient heating systems are vital. Our guide, Winter is Coming: How to Slash Your Australian Heating Bills in 2026 as Energy Rebates End, offers practical advice.
For households struggling with bills, the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) in Victoria (up to $650 per utility every two years) and the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme in Queensland (up to $720 every two years) are critical emergency support mechanisms.
Bottom Line
While the federal “Energy Bills Relief Act” direct payments were a temporary measure that concluded in late 2025 for most households, significant energy bill support remains available in Australia for 2026. This support is primarily delivered through targeted state and territory concessions for eligible households and federal incentives for energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy technologies like solar panels and home batteries. Proactively checking your eligibility for state concessions and investigating federal and state programs for energy-saving improvements are the most effective strategies for reducing your energy costs in the current landscape. Don’t wait for a new federal scheme; focus on the consistent, ongoing support designed to empower you to lower your bills permanently. For more detailed information on concession eligibility, refer to our guide: Centrelink Energy Rebates Australia 2026: Your Guide to Expanded Eligibility & Automatic Bill Relief.