For Australian households and businesses grappling with persistently high utility costs in 2026, clarity on government assistance is crucial. The widely discussed federal “Energy Bills Relief Act” and its associated payments, while providing significant temporary support in previous periods, have largely concluded their universal direct bill relief. As of 1 January 2026, the broad-based federal energy bill credits are no longer automatically applied to electricity accounts. The focus has decisively shifted towards targeted state and territory concessions, alongside enduring federal incentives for energy efficiency upgrades.
This guide outlines the current landscape of energy bill support in Australia for 2026, detailing what relief is available, who is eligible, and proactive steps you can take to manage your utility expenses.
The Shift from Universal Federal Relief
The National Energy Bill Relief Fund, which provided direct, universal federal energy bill relief to households and eligible small businesses, concluded its payments on 31 December 2025. This fund delivered a total of AUD $300 to households in the 2024-25 financial year, followed by an additional AUD $150 (issued in two $75 instalments) for the first half of the 2025-26 financial year. Consequently, there is no new universal federal energy rebate confirmed for the 2026 calendar year for standard households.
This cessation means that electricity bills arriving between January and April 2026 are the first to fully reflect retail prices without this federal offset. This contributed to an estimated 37 per cent rise in electricity costs in the 12 months to February 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“Electricity bills arriving between January and April 2026 are the first to fully reflect retail prices without this federal offset, contributing to an estimated 37 per cent rise in electricity costs in the 12 months to February 2026 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.”
While most small businesses also saw their $150 credit conclude, those in embedded networks might still be able to apply through relevant state service portals by 30 June 2026.
State and Territory Energy Concessions and Rebates (2026)
While universal federal relief has ceased, all Australian states and territories continue to offer various energy concessions and rebates for eligible concession card holders. Eligibility typically requires holding a valid concession card, such as a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or DVA Gold Card.
| State/Territory | Key Electricity/Gas Concessions (2026) | Amount (AUD) | Eligibility | Application Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Low Income Household Rebate | Up to $285/year | Eligible concession card holders | Via retailer or Service NSW |
| Family Energy Rebate | Varies | Family Tax Benefit recipients (2024-25 FY) | Via Service NSW (applications close 15 June 2026) | |
| Medical Energy Rebate | $285 (retail) / $313.50 (embedded) | Concession card holders with specific medical conditions | Via retailer or Service NSW with medical practitioner’s declaration | |
| NSW Gas Rebate | $110/year | Concession card holders with natural gas accounts | Automatic for retail customers | |
| Victoria | Annual Electricity Concession | 17.5% off usage & supply (after retailer discounts) | Pensioner, Health Care, or DVA Gold Card holders | Provide concession details to retailer |
| Winter Gas Concession | 17.5% off usage & supply (after first $62.40 for May-Oct) | Pensioner, Health Care, or DVA Gold Card holders | Provide concession details to retailer | |
| Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) | Up to $650 per utility (max $1,300 for electricity only) in 2 years | Households in temporary financial hardship | Contact electricity retailer | |
| Queensland | Queensland Electricity Rebate | $386.34/year | Queensland Seniors, Pensioner Concession, Health Care, or DVA Veteran Gold Card holders | Contact electricity retailer |
| Medical Cooling and Heating Concession Scheme | $522.09/year | Concession card holders with qualifying medical conditions | Paid directly to bank account | |
| South Australia | Energy Concession | Up to $281.78/year | Low or fixed income earners | Contact Concessions SA |
| SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) | 20% off electricity, 15% off gas, 40% off 45kg LPG (with Origin Energy) | Eligible concession card holders | Sign up with Origin Energy (runs until at least 2029) | |
| Western Australia | Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) | $326.33/year (2025-26 rate) | Pensioner, Health Care, or DVA card holders | Via retailer (Synergy/Horizon Power) or ECES |
| Dependent Child Rebate | $146.84 per child/year (2025-26 rate) | ECES-registered families with dependent children & eligible concession card | Via retailer or ECES | |
| Tasmania | Annual Electricity Concession | $1.76866/day (approx. $645.56/year for 2025-26) | Eligible low-income customers | Via retailer or Service Tasmania |
| Heating Allowance | $56/year | Pensioner Concession Card holders | Via Service Tasmania | |
| ACT | Various concessions | Not specified for 2026 in search results | Low-income households, eligible cardholders | ACT Government websites |
| Northern Territory | NT Concession Scheme – Electricity | Up to $1,200/year (capped at 8,000 kWh) | Members of NT Concession Scheme | Via NT.GOV.AU |
For more detailed information on Victorian concessions, refer to our guide: Victorian Energy Concessions for Pensioners 2025 2026 in Australia: Complete Guide.
Maximising Your Savings Beyond Government Support
With the cessation of universal federal relief, proactive measures to reduce energy consumption and invest in efficiency upgrades are more critical than ever. Here’s how to take control of your energy bills:
1. Embrace Solar and Batteries
The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (STCs) continues to provide an upfront discount on eligible rooftop solar PV systems. As of 1 January 2026, the deeming period for STCs reduced from 6 to 5 years, resulting in a 15-20% reduction in the upfront discount for new solar panels. A 6.6kW solar system in 2026 typically costs between $5,000 and $8,500 after rebates. For instance, a 6.6kW system in Sydney (Zone 3) could receive around $1,840 in STC rebates.
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers approximately a 30% discount on eligible 5-50 kWh battery systems. However, from 1 May 2026, the rebate drops from $300 per kWh to $244 per kWh for the first 14 kWh. This means a typical 10 kWh battery could see a federal discount of around $2,440 from May 2026, a reduction of $560 compared to the earlier 2026 rate.
Several states offer additional battery incentives:
- Queensland provides interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for home battery storage.
- Western Australia’s Residential Battery Scheme offers rebates up to $1,300 for Synergy customers and $3,800 for Horizon Power customers for a 10 kWh battery. These can be combined with the federal rebate for total support of $5,000-$7,500 for a 10 kWh system. Eligible households earning under $210,000 can also access a $2,001-$10,000 interest-free loan.
- In NSW, homeowners connecting a 10 kWh to 27 kWh battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) under the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) can receive an incentive of approximately $550 to $1,500.
Considering solar? Read our guide on How to Choose a Solar Installer in Australia 2026: Accreditation, Warranties & Avoiding Scams.
2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Investing in energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce long-term bills. Consider upgrades like heat pump hot water systems. In NSW, the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) offers incentives of $190 to $670 for upgrading to an eligible heat pump hot water system. Victoria’s Energy Upgrades (VEU) program also offers significant discounts on various energy-efficient products, including insulation, heat pumps, and LED lighting.
Explore your options with our guide: Best Heat Pump Hot Water Systems in Australia 2026: Costs, Rebates & Buyer’s Guide.
3. Compare Energy Retailers Regularly
Even without universal federal rebates, competition among energy retailers remains. Regularly comparing electricity and gas plans can yield significant savings. Websites like EnergyMadeEasy (federal) and state-specific comparison sites (e.g., Victorian Energy Compare) allow you to compare offers based on your actual usage.
4. Improve Home Insulation and Sealing
Effective insulation and draught-proofing are fundamental to reducing heating and cooling costs. This is particularly important heading into winter. Sealing gaps around windows and doors, insulating ceilings and floors, and upgrading to double-glazed windows can cut energy consumption by a substantial margin. For more strategies, see: Australia’s Top Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades 2026: Maximise ROI as Electricity Bills Soar This Winter.
Eligibility and How to Apply
For most state and territory concessions, eligibility is tied to holding specific concession cards issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Applications are typically made directly through your electricity or gas retailer by providing your concession card details. For some schemes, especially for embedded network customers or emergency assistance, you may need to apply directly through state government service portals (e.g., Service NSW, Service Queensland, Service Tasmania, Victorian Energy Compare, Concessions SA, NT.GOV.AU). Always check the latest information on your state or territory government’s official energy or concessions website.
For Centrelink recipients, specifically, our guide Centrelink Energy Rebates Australia 2026: Your Guide to Expanded Eligibility & Automatic Bill Relief provides further detail on relevant support.
Important Dates and Changes for 2026
- 31 December 2025: Universal federal Energy Bill Relief Fund payments concluded.
- 1 January 2026: Federal STC deeming period reduced from 6 to 5 years, impacting solar rebate values.
- 31 March 2026: Victoria’s Power Saving Bonus (new applications) closed.
- 1 May 2026: Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate drops from $300/kWh to $244/kWh for the first 14 kWh. New WA solar and battery rules also take effect, including new inverter commissioning standards.
- 15 June 2026: Application deadline for NSW Family Energy Rebate (for 2024-25 FY Family Tax Benefit recipients).
- 30 June 2026: Deadline for some embedded network customers to apply for the federal $150 bill relief payment (2025-26 FY portion).
Bottom Line
While the universal federal Energy Bills Relief Fund has concluded for most Australian households in 2026, significant opportunities for managing and reducing utility costs remain. The focus has decisively shifted to targeted state and territory concessions for eligible households, alongside federal incentives for long-term energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Homeowners should actively research state-specific rebates for which they may be eligible and consider strategic investments in solar, batteries, and energy-efficient appliances to secure lasting savings. Regular comparison of energy plans is also crucial for mitigating the impact of rising retail prices.