Australian households and small businesses grappling with energy costs are actively seeking clarity on available relief in 2026. While the direct federal energy bill relief payments seen in late 2025 have concluded, significant state-level concessions and a anticipated reduction in default electricity prices from 1 July 2026 offer some reprieve. This guide details the current landscape of energy bill support, helping you understand what’s available and how to access it.
Federal Energy Bill Relief in 2026: What You Need to Know
It is crucial to clarify that the National Energy Bill Relief Fund, which provided a total of $300 to Australian households in the 2024-25 financial year and an additional $150 (delivered in two $75 instalments) to households and eligible small businesses for the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, concluded its payments on 31 December 2025. There is currently no new federal $150 energy rebate confirmed for the 2026 calendar year.
This means that while many Australians benefited from these credits applied to their electricity bills in late 2025, that specific federal support is no longer active. Any future federal relief would require new government announcements.
Small businesses that met eligibility criteria (active ABN, consuming less than 100 MWh/year, not operating from a residential electricity plan) also received the $150 for the 2025-26 financial year, with Victoria receiving a lump sum.
State-by-State Energy Concessions and Rebates 2026
While direct federal bill relief has ceased, all states and territories continue to offer a range of ongoing concessions and rebates for eligible households, typically targeting low-income earners, pensioners, and those with specific medical needs. Eligibility often requires holding a valid concession card (e.g., Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, DVA Gold Card) and the energy account being in your name at your principal place of residence.
| State/Territory | Key Energy Concessions & Rebates (2026) | Value/Details (2025-26 FY rates) |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Low Income Household Rebate | $285 (excl. GST) per annum from 1 July 2025 |
| Family Energy Rebate | $180 for non-concession, $20 for concession card holders (for 2025/2026 applications) | |
| Seniors Energy Rebate | $200 per annum from 1 July 2025 (for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders) | |
| Medical Energy Rebate, Life Support Rebate | Available for eligible households with specific medical needs. Contact your retailer. | |
| Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) | Discounts on efficient upgrades (e.g., $200-$1,200 for reverse-cycle AC, $300-$1,000+ for heat pump hot water) | |
| Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) | Upfront incentives (up to 6 years value) for connecting eligible batteries to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) from 1 April 2026. | |
| Victoria | Annual Electricity Concession | 17.5% discount on usage and supply charges (after retailer discounts/solar credits) |
| Winter Gas Concession | 17.5% discount on gas usage and supply charges (1 May – 31 Oct) | |
| Medical Cooling Concession | 17.5% discount off summer bills (Nov – Apr) for eligible medical conditions | |
| Life Support Concession | Daily discount based on equipment | |
| Excess Electricity Concession | 17.5% discount on electricity charges over $3,895.13 annually | |
| Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) | Up to $650 per utility (or $1,300 for electricity only) every 2 years for financial hardship | |
| Non-Mains Energy Concession | Annual rebate of $57-$650 for non-mains energy users (e.g., firewood, LPG). 2026 applications open July. | |
| Power Saving Bonus | Closed for new applications on 31 March 2026. | |
| Queensland | Queensland Electricity Rebate | $386.34 per year (GST inclusive), credited quarterly, for eligible concession card holders |
| Medical Cooling and Heating Concession | Available for eligible households with specific medical needs. Contact your retailer. | |
| Solar for Rentals | Landlord rebate up to $3,500 for installing solar on rental properties (tiered by system size) | |
| South Australia | Energy Concession | General assistance for low-income, concession card holders |
| SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) | With Origin Energy: 20% off electricity, 15% off gas usage/supply, 40% off 45kg LPG cylinder (until at least 2029) | |
| Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) | Free or discounted energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, efficient AC/hot water, VPP connection). Highest incentives for Priority Group households. Active from 1 January 2026. | |
| Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS) | For electricity debt/disconnection risk, via financial counsellor | |
| Western Australia | Energy Concession | General assistance for eligible concession card holders. Check state government for details. |
| Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) | Rewards households for exporting solar energy during peak periods | |
| Tasmania | Annual Electricity Concession | $1.76866 per day for retail customers (~$645.56/year), or $645.56 once-off for embedded networks (from 1 July 2025) |
| Heating Allowance | $56 per year ($28 paid twice) for Pensioner Concession Card holders | |
| Medical Cooling or Heating Concession | ~$513.70 per year (140.740 cents/day) for concession households with medical needs | |
| Energy Saver Loan Scheme | Interest-free loans up to $10,000 for energy-efficient products, solar PV, battery storage | |
| Your Energy Support Program | Provides tools for energy management and bills | |
| Australian Capital Territory | Utilities Concession | General assistance for eligible concession card holders. Check state government for details. |
| Sustainable Household Scheme | Low-interest loans up to $15,000 for EV chargers, induction cooktops, insulation, etc. | |
| Northern Territory | Concession Scheme | General assistance for eligible concession card holders. Check state government for details. |
| Home Battery Rebate | $450 per kWh (up to $6,000) for battery installations |
For more detailed information on Centrelink-specific rebates, refer to our guide: Centrelink Energy Rebates Australia 2026: Your Guide to Expanded Eligibility & Automatic Bill Relief
Understanding Your Energy Bill: Default Market Offer (DMO) and Victorian Default Offer (VDO) in 2026
Regulated electricity prices, known as the Default Market Offer (DMO) in NSW, South East Queensland, and South Australia, and the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) in Victoria, are set to change from 1 July 2026. These offers act as a safety net for customers who haven’t switched to a market offer and serve as a reference price for comparing deals.
In a positive development for consumers, both the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in Victoria have released draft determinations proposing reductions in DMO and VDO prices for the 2026-27 financial year.
“This draft decision points to the potential for some welcome relief for households and small businesses after several years of rising energy costs… The reductions reflect easing costs across parts of the electricity supply chain, particularly wholesale energy where we’ve seen falling electricity contract prices, reduced spot price volatility, and increased output from wind and battery generation.”
These proposed reductions are largely driven by lower wholesale electricity costs, reduced environmental scheme costs, and more efficient retail operating costs.
| Region | Customer Type | Proposed Annual Bill Change (from 1 July 2026 vs. 2025-26) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Residential | Decrease 2.4% (-$58) to 8.2% (-$226) (depending on distribution zone) |
| Small Business | Decrease 7.6% (-$379) to 21.2% (-$1,320) (depending on distribution zone) | |
| South East QLD | Residential | Decrease up to 10.1% (-$216) |
| Small Business | Decrease up to 8.5% (overall 7.6% to 21.2% across DMO regions) | |
| South Australia | Residential | Decrease 1.3% (-$31) |
| Small Business | Decrease (overall 7.6% to 21.2% across DMO regions) | |
| Victoria | Domestic | Average decrease of $46 (3%) across distribution zones |
| Small Business | Average decrease of $172 (5%) across distribution zones |
The AER’s final DMO decision is expected by 26 May 2026, and the ESC’s final VDO decision by 24 May 2026.
Beyond Rebates: Long-Term Energy Savings Strategies
While rebates offer immediate relief, sustainable long-term savings come from reducing your overall energy consumption and leveraging renewable energy. With wholesale electricity prices still subject to volatility, investing in energy efficiency and solar technology remains a sound strategy.
- Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Programs like SA’s REPS and NSW’s ESS offer discounts on insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems (e.g., heat pumps), and smart appliances. Upgrading to a modern heat pump hot water system, for instance, can significantly reduce your hot water heating costs. Read more in our guide: Best Heat Pump Hot Water Systems in Australia 2026: Costs, Rebates & Buyer’s Guide
- Solar PV and Battery Storage: Although federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for solar panels saw a 15-20% reduction in value on 1 January 2026 due to changes in the deeming period, solar remains a strong investment. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides an upfront discount of approximately $300/kWh on eligible battery systems, though this rebate rate is set to reduce after 1 May 2026 for larger systems. This makes 2026 an important year for battery adoption, especially before the May 1st change. Connecting batteries to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) can also unlock additional incentives, particularly in NSW and SA. For more on financing options, see: Best Solar Panel & Home Battery Financing Options in Australia 2026: Loans, PPAs & Green Mortgages Explained
How to Apply for Energy Bill Relief
- Federal Energy Bill Relief (for 2025-26 FY): These credits were largely automatically applied to electricity bills for most retail customers. If you were an embedded network customer (e.g., in an apartment building or caravan park), you may have needed to apply manually via your state’s energy portal (e.g., Service NSW, Service Queensland). As this scheme has ended, no new applications are being accepted.
- State-Specific Concessions: For ongoing state concessions (e.g., Low Income Household Rebate, Annual Electricity Concession), you typically need to contact your electricity or gas retailer directly and provide your eligible concession card details. Some states also have dedicated government portals (e.g., Service NSW, Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing) for applications or further information. It’s always advisable to check your bill to ensure any eligible concessions are being applied.
- Energy Efficiency Schemes: For programs like REPS (SA) or ESS (NSW), you will generally need to engage with accredited providers or energy retailers who deliver the eligible upgrades. These providers often handle the rebate application process as part of their service.
Bottom Line
While the direct federal energy bill relief payments concluded at the end of 2025, Australian households and small businesses still have avenues for reducing their energy costs in 2026. Prioritise understanding and applying for any state-level concessions for which you are eligible. Secondly, be aware of the anticipated reductions in Default Market Offer (DMO) and Victorian Default Offer (VDO) prices from 1 July 2026, which could see your bills decrease. Finally, for long-term savings, consider energy efficiency upgrades and, if suitable, explore solar and battery storage, particularly noting the change in federal battery rebate value after 1 May 2026. Proactive engagement with your energy retailer and state government resources is key to maximising your savings.