As Australian households continue to navigate persistent cost-of-living pressures, understanding the energy bill rebates and concessions available in 2026 is crucial. While the broad, universal federal Energy Bill Relief Fund concluded at the end of 2025, significant state and territory government support remains in place for eligible residents, offering hundreds, and in some cases over a thousand, dollars in annual savings. This comprehensive guide breaks down what you can still claim across Australia, state by state.

Federal Energy Bill Relief: What’s Changed in 2026?

The widely publicised Australian Government Energy Bill Relief Fund, which provided up to $300 in 2024-25 and a further $150 (delivered as two $75 credits) in the first half of 2025-26, officially ended on 31 December 2025. This means that from January 2026 onwards, there are no new universal federal energy credits automatically applied to electricity accounts. Bills from the January 2026 quarter reflect full retail prices, although the Australian Energy Regulator proposed Default Market Offer price reductions of 1.3% to 10.1% by region from 1 July 2026, offering some relief for standing offer customers.

However, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) remains active in 2026, providing substantial upfront discounts on eligible home battery systems. This program, administered via Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), can reduce the cost of a 10 kWh battery system by approximately $2,500–$2,700. It’s important to note that the value for systems over 14 kWh was reduced from 1 May 2026, with further step-downs expected on 1 January 2027. This can be stacked with state-specific battery incentives where available.

State-by-State Energy Rebate Guide for 2026

Eligibility for most state-based concessions typically requires holding an eligible concession card, such as a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card. The energy account must generally be in the concession card holder’s name, and the property must be their principal place of residence.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW continues to offer a range of targeted rebates and a significant new program for energy-efficient upgrades:

  • NSW Home Energy Saver Program: Launched in June 2026, this program provides eligible households with zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for energy-saving upgrades like solar panels, home batteries, insulation, and efficient reverse-cycle air conditioning. Eligibility for the loan extends to households with a combined taxable income up to $210,000.
  • Targeted Discounts: Later in 2026, lower-income households (combined annual income under $80,000 or eligible concession card holders) may qualify for upfront discounts of up to $4,000 on approved energy-saving upgrades.
  • Low Income Household Rebate: Provides $285 per year on electricity bills for eligible concession card holders.
  • Gas Rebate: Offers $110 per year for eligible concession card holders on their natural gas bills.
  • Family Energy Rebate: Up to $180 per year (retail customers) or $198 (embedded network customers) for families with dependent children who meet eligibility criteria.
  • Life Support Rebate: Up to $285 per year for households with a resident who requires approved life support equipment.
  • Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Vouchers: Provides short-term financial relief (typically $50 per voucher) for households experiencing temporary financial hardship.

These programs can significantly reduce the upfront cost of energy-efficient upgrades, leading to long-term savings. For more on optimising your home’s energy use, consider our guide: Australia’s Top Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades 2026: Maximise ROI as Electricity Bills Soar This Winter.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria offers a suite of ongoing concessions for eligible households:

  • Annual Electricity Concession: A 17.5% discount on household electricity usage and service costs, applied after any retailer discounts and solar credits. It does not apply to the first $171.60 of the annual bill. As of 2026, this is approximately $174 per year.
  • Annual Gas Concession / Winter Gas Concession: A 17.5% discount on household gas usage and supply charges during the winter months (1 May to 31 October). It does not apply to the first $62.40 of the winter period bills. This is approximately $107 per year as of 2026.
  • Medical Cooling Concession: Provides a discount for households requiring cooling for a medical condition.
  • Life Support Concession: Offers a discount for households using approved life support equipment.
  • Excess Electricity/Gas Concessions: Additional discounts for households with very high annual electricity or gas bills exceeding specific thresholds (e.g., over $3,895.13 for electricity).
  • Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS): A substantial grant of up to $1,300 for concession card holders or households facing genuine financial hardship and unable to pay their bills.
  • Non-Mains Energy Concession: An annual rebate ranging from $57 to $650 for eligible Victorians using non-mains energy sources like firewood, LPG, or heating oil. The 2026 calendar year rebates opened in July 2026.
  • Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU): While not a direct bill rebate, the VEU program offers discounts on energy-efficient products and installations (e.g., heat pump hot water, efficient air conditioning).

The $100 Power Saving Bonus program in Victoria had its latest round close on 31 March 2026. Future rounds are subject to government policy.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland residents with eligible concession cards can access the following in 2026:

  • Electricity Rebate: Eligible pensioners, veterans, and seniors can claim $399.47 per year (GST inclusive) on their electricity bills, effective from 1 July 2026. Some retailers may list this as $363.15 (excl. GST) or $0.9950 per day (excl. GST).
  • Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate: Eligible concession card holders can receive $96.45 per year (GST inclusive) on their reticulated natural gas bills, effective from 1 July 2026. Some retailers may list this as $87.68 (excl. GST) or $0.2402 per day (excl. GST).
  • Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme: Provides a rebate for households requiring cooling or heating for a medical condition.
  • Electricity Life Support Concession: Available for households with approved life support equipment.
  • Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme: A one-off payment for households experiencing a short-term financial crisis.

South Australia (SA)

South Australia offers several concessions and a unique scheme focused on energy productivity:

  • Energy Bill Concession: Provides up to $291.27 a year to eligible low or fixed-income households for electricity and gas bills (including LPG bottled gas), indexed annually from 1 July 2026.
  • Cost of Living Concession: A yearly payment of $243.60 (as of August 2026) to help low-income homeowners and tenants with various expenses, including energy.
  • Medical Heating and Cooling Concession: Up to $243 per year (as of August 2026) for those with a medical condition requiring heating or cooling.
  • SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer: An additional offer for those already receiving the energy concession.
  • Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme: Provides assistance for households at risk of electricity disconnection due to debt.
  • 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 insulation. Priority is given to concession and low-income households. REPS also supports connecting home batteries to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). Consider exploring: Join a VPP in 2026: Earn Up To $1,500 Annually & Boost Grid Stability.

Western Australia (WA)

WA provides several direct payments and a strong battery incentive:

  • Energy Assistance Payment (EAP): An annual payment of $326.33 (2025–26 rate) for eligible concession card holders, paid in instalments.
  • Cost of Living Rebate (CoLR): A separate rebate of $104.90 in 2026 for WA Seniors Card holders.
  • Dependent Child Rebate: An additional $146.84 per child, per year (2025–26 rate) for eligible concession households with dependent children.
  • WA Residential Battery Scheme: This state scheme offers significant rebates for installing home batteries, which can be stacked with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. For Synergy customers, the rebate is up to $1,300 ($130 per usable kWh, capped at 10 kWh). For Horizon Power customers in regional areas, the rebate is more substantial, up to $3,800 ($380 per usable kWh, capped at 10 kWh). To qualify, you must participate in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This can lead to combined savings of $3,800–$4,000 for Synergy customers and up to $6,500–$7,500 for Horizon Power customers on a 10 kWh system.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania offers daily concessions and targeted support:

  • Annual Electricity Concession: From 1 July 2026, eligible retail customers receive $1.84347 per day. Embedded network customers are eligible for a once-off $673 payment in 2026-27. This equates to approximately $673 per year for retail customers.
  • Medical Cooling or Heating Concession: A daily discount of 55.216 cents per day for eligible households with a medical condition requiring specific temperature management.
  • Life Support Concession: Daily discounts vary by approved device. For example, an Oxygen Concentrator receives 136.636 cents per day, while a Peritoneal Dialysis machine receives 101.376 cents per day.
  • Heating Allowance: Pensioner Concession Card holders can receive $56 per year ($28 paid twice).

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

While specific 2026 figures are less detailed, the ACT offers energy concessions for eligible pensioners and seniors, generally ranging from $200-$700 annually.

Northern Territory (NT)

The NT provides significant support through its concession schemes:

  • NT Concession Scheme (NTCS): Eligible members can receive up to $1,200 per year towards their electricity bills. This cap resets annually on 1 July.
  • NT Seniors Recognition Scheme: Members can use their prepaid card to pay electricity bills.

These are in addition to the substantial subsidies provided through the Community Service Obligation (CSO), which significantly reduces the ‘real’ price of electricity for Territorians.

How to Claim Your Rebates

Most concession-based rebates are not automatically applied unless your energy retailer has your up-to-date concession card details. It is always recommended to:

  • Contact your energy retailer: Provide them with your concession card details and ask them to apply all eligible rebates. Keep records of your calls.
  • Check state government websites: For specific application forms or portals (e.g., Service NSW, SA.GOV.AU, QLD.GOV.AU, State Revenue Office Tasmania). Embedded network customers often need to apply directly to a state agency (e.g., Service NSW, Service Tasmania).
  • For upgrade incentives (e.g., NSW Home Energy Saver, SA REPS, WA Battery Scheme): Work with an accredited installer who can apply the discount at the point of sale or guide you through the loan application process. These often require Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved products and installers.

“While the universal federal energy bill relief has concluded, state and territory governments are maintaining and introducing new targeted support in 2026, with some programs offering over $1,000 in annual savings for eligible households.”

Maximising Your Energy Savings Beyond Rebates

Beyond direct bill rebates, consider these strategies to further reduce your energy costs in 2026:

Bottom Line

While the universal federal energy bill relief has wrapped up, Australian households are not without support in 2026. State and territory governments are actively providing targeted concessions and incentives that can significantly reduce your energy costs. The key is proactive engagement: check your eligibility, gather your concession cards, and contact your energy retailer or relevant state government department. For those considering larger investments in energy efficiency or renewable technology, substantial loans and rebates are available, particularly for home batteries in WA and comprehensive upgrades in NSW. Don’t leave money on the table – take action to claim your rightful rebates and explore long-term energy-saving solutions today.