Australian households navigating persistent energy costs in 2026 need clarity on available support. The universal Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund, which provided up to $300 in 2024-25 and a further $150 in the first half of 2025-26, concluded on 31 December 2025, meaning no new automatic federal credits are being applied universally this year.

However, a robust landscape of state and territory-specific concessions, alongside ongoing federal incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, continues to offer significant financial relief for eligible households. This guide details the support still available across Australia in 2026, helping you identify and claim what you’re entitled to.

Federal Support Still Active in 2026

While the direct bill relief payments have ceased, two key federal programs continue to reduce the upfront cost of investing in cleaner energy for your home:

  • Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for Solar: This program provides an upfront discount on eligible rooftop solar systems. The value of STCs fluctuates but significantly reduces the installation cost. For instance, a 6.6kW solar system in Tasmania (Zone 4) could see an STC value of approximately $1,545 in 2026, while in the Northern Territory (Zone 1), it could be around $2,115, representing the highest per-kW STC value nationally.
  • Cheaper Home Batteries Program: Launched in July 2025, this federal incentive offers roughly 30% off the cost of eligible home battery systems when paired with new or existing solar. From 1 May 2026, the rebate is tiered: the full rate applies to the first 14 kWh of usable capacity, tapering for larger systems. For example, a 10 kWh battery could see a federal discount of approximately $2,500 – $2,700 in Western Australia, while a 13.5 kWh unit in the NT could receive around $3,631.

These federal incentives are typically applied as an upfront discount by your installer, so you pay a reduced price directly. They are crucial for making significant energy upgrades more affordable. To understand the full costs and savings, you might find our guide on 6.6kW Solar & 10kWh Battery Cost Australia 2026: Full Payback Analysis helpful.

State-by-State Energy Bill Rebates and Support 2026

Beyond federal incentives for upgrades, each Australian state and territory offers its own suite of rebates, concessions, and assistance schemes. Eligibility often depends on concession card status, income, or specific medical conditions.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW offers a combination of bill relief and significant support for energy-efficient upgrades:

  • Home Energy Saver Program: Launched on 17 June 2026, this program provides eligible households with zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for upgrades like solar, batteries, heat pumps, and insulation, repayable over up to 10 years. Additionally, discounts of up to $4,000 will open later in 2026 for lower-income households (combined income under $80,000/year or concession card holders).
  • Low Income Household Rebate: Up to $285 per year for eligible concession card holders.
  • Family Energy Rebate: Up to $180 per year for families receiving the Family Tax Benefit.
  • Medical Energy Rebate: Up to $285 per year for households with a resident who has a qualifying medical condition requiring heating or cooling.
  • Seniors Energy Rebate: $200 per year for eligible Seniors Card holders.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria provides broad concessions and substantial programs for energy efficiency:

  • Annual Electricity Concession: Provides a 17.5% discount on electricity usage and service costs for eligible concession card holders, after the first $171.60 of the annual bill.
  • Gas Concession: Similar to the electricity concession, a 17.5% discount on gas usage and service costs.
  • Utility Relief Grant Scheme: Offers up to $1,300 for households experiencing temporary financial hardship to pay overdue energy bills.
  • Solar Homes Program: Offers rebates up to $1,400 for solar panel installations, plus an interest-free loan up to $1,400. There’s also a hot water rebate of up to $1,000 (or $1,400 for Australian-made systems). The household income cap for this program is $150,000/year from 1 July 2026.
  • Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU): This scheme provides upfront discounts on a range of energy-efficient products and services, including heat pump hot water systems (up to $1,000, or $1,400 for locally made), reverse-cycle air conditioning, ceiling insulation (halving installation cost, saving ~$1,500 upfront from early 2026), and LED lighting. Renters are eligible with property owner consent.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland offers direct bill relief for eligible residents:

  • Electricity Rebate: $399.47 per year (GST inclusive) for pensioners, veterans, and seniors.
  • Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate: $96.45 per year (GST inclusive) for eligible concession card holders.
  • Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme: Provides additional support for those with qualifying medical conditions.
  • Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme: A one-off payment of up to $720 for households experiencing a short-term financial crisis.

“The universal Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund ended on 31 December 2025, shifting the focus to state-specific and targeted federal incentives for Australian households in 2026.”

South Australia (SA)

SA’s support is largely driven by retailer-funded efficiency programs and federal incentives:

  • Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS): This scheme obliges energy retailers to offer discounted or free energy-efficient upgrades, such as efficient hot water systems, reverse-cycle air conditioning, and appliances (up to $600 cashback on eligible appliances). From 2026, REPS is more targeted towards Priority Group households.
  • Cost of Living Concession: A variable payment that includes an energy supplement for eligible low-income households and concession card holders.
  • Council-level rebates: Some Adelaide councils, like Adelaide Hills Council, periodically offer sustainable living rebates of $250–$500 for energy-efficient upgrades.

Western Australia (WA)

WA provides concessions and unique battery incentives:

  • Energy Assistance Payment (EAP): $326.33 per year (2025–26 rate) for eligible concession card holders.
  • Cost of Living Rebate (CoLR): $104.90 in 2026 for WA Seniors Card holders.
  • WA Residential Battery Scheme: Offers a rebate on top of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Synergy customers can receive up to $1,300, while Horizon Power customers in regional areas can get up to $3,800. This scheme requires participation in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). You can also access no-interest loans up to $10,000 for batteries. Learn more about how to maximise your earnings with a VPP in our guide: Join a VPP in 2026: Earn Up To $1,500 Annually & Boost Grid Stability.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania’s state support focuses on direct bill concessions, relying on federal programs for upgrade incentives:

  • Annual Electricity Concession: From 1 July 2026, the rate is $1.84347 per day for retail customers, equating to approximately $673 per year. This is for eligible low-income customers holding specific concession cards.
  • Heating Allowance: $56 per year ($28 paid twice) for eligible Pensioner Concession Card holders.
  • Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs): Tasmania has a regulated minimum FiT of 9.276 cents per kWh from 1 July 2026, though some retailers may offer higher market rates.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT provides a substantial annual rebate for utilities:

  • Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate (formerly Utilities Concession): Set at $800 per year for 2025-26, following a permanent $50 uplift. This rebate is generally applied to your electricity account by your energy provider.

Northern Territory (NT)

The NT offers significant concessions and benefits from the highest federal solar STC values:

  • Electricity Concession: Members of the NT Concession Scheme can receive up to $1,200 per year in electricity concessions, covering up to 8,000 kWh.
  • Federal Solar STCs: The NT is in STC Zone 1, meaning federal solar rebates are the highest in Australia, around $2,115 for a 6.6kW system.
  • Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: As the NT Home & Business Battery Scheme closed in June 2025 due to reaching its funding cap, battery support now comes solely from the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount, offering roughly $3,631 off a 13.5 kWh battery.
  • Jacana Energy Super Feed-in Tariff: Pays 18.66 c/kWh for exports between 3pm and 9pm, providing a strong incentive for battery users to shift solar exports.

How to Maximise Your Energy Savings in 2026

With the shift away from universal federal bill relief, a proactive approach to managing your energy costs is more important than ever. Here’s how to ensure you’re getting all the support you’re entitled to and reducing your overall consumption:

  1. Check Your Eligibility: Visit your state or territory government’s energy department website or contact your energy retailer to confirm which concessions and rebates you qualify for. Eligibility criteria can change, so regular checks are advised.
  2. Compare Energy Plans: Don’t stick with an outdated energy plan. Use government comparison websites like Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare to find the best rates and offers. Consider plans with no lock-in contracts for flexibility. For more information, see our guide: Energy Plans No Lock-In Contracts Australia 2026: Complete Guide.
  3. Invest in Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Leverage federal and state programs for solar, batteries, heat pumps, and insulation. These investments can drastically reduce your long-term energy bills. Consider a home energy management system to optimise your usage. Read: Best Home Energy Management Systems in Australia 2026: Slash Bills by $1,000+ Annually.
  4. Monitor Your Usage: Understanding where your energy goes is the first step to reducing it. Home energy monitoring systems can provide invaluable insights. For detailed information, consult: Best Home Energy Monitoring Systems in Australia 2026: Unlock $1,000+ Annual Savings.
  5. Consider a Virtual Power Plant (VPP): If you have a home battery, joining a VPP can provide additional income by allowing your battery to support the grid during peak demand. This is a requirement for some state battery rebates, such as in WA.

State-by-State Rebate Snapshot (2026)

State/TerritoryPrimary Bill Relief / Concession (Annual)Key Upgrade Support (Examples)Eligibility Notes
NSWLow Income Household Rebate: $285Home Energy Saver (Loans up to $15,000, Discounts up to $4,000)Concession cards, income thresholds
VICAnnual Electricity Concession: 17.5% offSolar Homes (Rebates up to $1,400), VEU DiscountsConcession cards, income cap on Solar Homes
QLDElectricity Rebate: $399.47Federal STCs, Cheaper Home Batteries ProgramPensioners, Seniors, Veterans, medical conditions
SACost of Living Concession (Energy portion)REPS (Discounted upgrades), Federal STCs/BatteriesConcession cards, Priority Group focus on REPS
WAEnergy Assistance Payment: $326.33WA Residential Battery Scheme ($1,300-$3,800), No-interest loansConcession cards, VPP enrolment for battery
TASAnnual Electricity Concession: ~$673Federal STCs, Cheaper Home Batteries ProgramConcession cards
ACTElectricity, Gas & Water Rebate: $800Federal STCs, Cheaper Home Batteries ProgramConcession cards
NTElectricity Concession: up to $1,200Federal STCs (highest), Cheaper Home Batteries ProgramNT Concession Scheme members

Note: All rebate amounts are indicative for 2026 and subject to change. Always verify current details with official state/territory government sources or your energy retailer.

Bottom Line

The landscape of Australian energy bill rebates in 2026 is decentralised, with universal federal support concluding at the end of 2025. However, substantial state and territory government programs remain active, offering targeted relief for eligible households and significant incentives for energy-efficient upgrades like solar and batteries. Proactively checking your eligibility for these state-specific concessions and federal clean energy programs is essential. By combining these with smart energy consumption habits and investments in home energy efficiency, Australians can effectively manage their power bills and contribute to a more sustainable energy future, even as grid prices continue to fluctuate. Don’t leave money on the table – investigate the support available in your state today.