Are there any federal energy rebates available in Australia in 2026?

The broad Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund concluded on 31 December 2025. However, federal incentives like the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) for solar and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program continue to offer significant upfront discounts for eligible households in 2026.

How do I claim state-specific energy concessions in Australia?

For ongoing electricity and gas concessions, you typically need to register your eligible concession card (e.g., Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card) directly with your energy retailer. For specific upgrade rebates or hardship schemes, you'll usually apply via the relevant state government department or program administrator.

Do I need a concession card to claim energy rebates in 2026?

While many ongoing electricity and gas concessions require a valid concession card, some state programs (like NSW's Home Energy Saver Program or Victoria's Solar Homes Program) also offer rebates or loans based on household income thresholds, making them accessible to a broader range of homeowners.

Claim Your Share: Australia's 2026 State-by-State Guide to $800+ in Unclaimed Energy Savings

Q: What is the average saving I can expect from energy rebates in 2026?

Savings vary significantly by state and eligibility, but many households can save over $800 annually through a combination of state concessions and federal incentives for energy-efficient upgrades like solar and batteries. Some state programs offer up to $800 in annual rebates or thousands in upgrade discounts/loans.

Many Australian households are leaving hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on the table each year by not claiming the energy rebates and concessions they’re entitled to. While the universal Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund payments concluded in late 2025, a robust network of state and territory programs, alongside federal incentives for renewable upgrades, continues to offer significant financial relief in 2026. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the current landscape and claim your share, potentially saving you over $800 annually.

Unlike the automatic credits of the recent federal relief, most current rebates require active application or registration. Eligibility often hinges on concession card status, household income, or specific medical needs. Our state-by-state breakdown provides the details you need to ensure you’re not missing out.

The Federal Rebate Landscape in 2026: Targeted Support

The broad, universal component of the Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund concluded on 31 December 2025. This means the automatic $300 credit for 2024-25 and the subsequent $150 extension for the first half of 2025-26 are no longer active for new payments.

However, federal support for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades continues to be a significant pathway to savings:

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) - The ‘Solar Rebate’: This national scheme provides an upfront discount on solar panel installations through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The value of STCs reduces annually until 2030, and the deeming period dropped from six to five years on 1 January 2026.
- For a typical 6.6kW solar system in 2026, this translates to approximately:
  - Queensland (Brisbane, Zone 3): ~$2,800 - $3,200
  - New South Wales (Sydney): ~$2,000
  - Victoria (Melbourne, Zone 4): ~$1,545 - $2,000
  - South Australia (Adelaide, Zone 4): ~$1,600
  - Western Australia (Perth, Zone 3): ~$2,800 - $3,200
  - Tasmania (Zone 4): ~$1,545 - $2,000
  - Northern Territory (Darwin, Zone 2): ~$1,800
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (Federal Battery Rebate): This program transitioned to a tiered, reduced rebate structure on 1 May 2026. It offers approximately $243-$244 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the first 14 kWh of useful battery capacity. For a standard 10kWh home battery, this could mean an upfront discount of around $2,430 - $2,440.

“The universal federal energy bill relief program has ended, but targeted state and territory concessions, alongside federal renewable energy incentives, remain crucial for managing household energy costs in 2026.”

For homeowners considering a solar and battery system to maximise long-term savings, understanding these federal incentives is critical. For more in-depth analysis, read our guide: 6.6kW Solar & 10kWh Battery Cost Australia 2026: Full Payback Analysis.

State-by-State Guide to Unclaimed Energy Rebates 2026

Beyond federal programs, each state and territory offers a unique suite of concessions and rebates. Many of these require you to register your eligible concession card with your energy retailer or apply directly via state government portals.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW offers a range of rebates, particularly for concession card holders, and has launched significant programs for energy-efficient upgrades:

Low Income Household Rebate: $285 per year (retail customers) or $313.50 (embedded network customers).
Family Energy Rebate: Up to $180 per year (retail) or $198 (embedded) for Family Tax Benefit recipients. Reduced to $20/$22 if Low Income Household Rebate is also claimed. Applications for 2026-27 open August 2026.
Medical Energy Rebate: $285 per year (retail) or $313.50 (embedded) for households with a resident requiring medically necessary heating or cooling.
Life Support Rebate: Varies based on specific life support equipment.
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Vouchers: Up to $50 per voucher for temporary financial hardship.
Home Energy Saver Program (Loans): Launched 17 June 2026, offering zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for upgrades like solar, batteries, heat pumps, insulation, and EV chargers. For homeowners with combined taxable income up to $210,000, repayable over 10 years.
Home Energy Saver Program (Discounts): Expected later in 2026, providing up to $4,000 in direct discounts for households with combined annual income up to $80,000 or eligible concession card holders. A minimum $200 customer contribution applies.
Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Incentive: Some VPP programs in NSW offer incentives of up to $1,000 for joining. To learn more, see: Join a VPP in 2026: Earn Up To $1,500 Annually & Boost Grid Stability.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria provides various concessions and substantial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades:

Annual Electricity Concession & Gas Concession: Approximately $174 per year on electricity and $107 per year on gas for eligible concession card holders.
Solar Homes Program (Solar PV & Hot Water Rebates): Up to $1,400 for solar PV systems, plus an equivalent interest-free loan. Up to $1,000 for eligible heat pump or solar hot water systems, increasing to $1,400 for Australian-made systems. Important: From 1 July 2026, the combined household income cap reduced from $210,000 to $150,000 per year.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program: Offers upfront discounts for switching from gas to efficient electric appliances. Examples for 2026 include:

Appliance Being Replaced	Electric Replacement	Indicative 2026 Incentive
Non-ducted gas heater	Reverse-cycle air conditioner	Up to $1,610
Ducted gas heating	Reverse-cycle ducted AC	Up to $5,530
Gas hot water	Heat pump hot water	VEU + Solar Homes incentives

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland offers strong support for concession card holders and significant loans for battery storage:

Queensland Electricity Rebate: $399.47 per year (GST inclusive) for eligible concession card holders.
Medical Cooling & Heating Electricity Concession: $522.09 per year (GST inclusive) for concession-card households with specific medical conditions.
Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate: $96.45 per year (GST inclusive) for eligible concession-card holders.
Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme (HEEAS): Up to $720 every two years for households in short-term financial hardship.
Home Energy Support Program (Grants): Up to $5,000 in grants for energy-efficient upgrades like ceiling insulation, particularly for low-income and concession card holders in Climate Zone 2. Zero-interest loans are also available.
Queensland Battery Storage Loan: Interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for home battery storage.
Solar for Renters Rebate: Landlords can receive a rebate of up to $3,500 for installing eligible solar systems on rental properties.

South Australia (SA)

South Australia combines general cost-of-living relief with targeted energy assistance:

Cost of Living Concession: The 2026-27 concession amount is $270.60 for eligible low-income or concession card holders.
Energy Concession Extension Scheme: Includes an Energy Assistance Payment of $377.14 per year, a Dependent Child Rebate ($396.56 for one child, $103.91 for each additional), and an Air Conditioning Rebate ($78.98 per month) in eligible areas. For Pensioner Concession, Health Care, Veterans’ Affairs Gold, and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders.
REPS VPP Incentive: Up to $2,050 for connecting an eligible home battery to a REPS-approved Virtual Power Plant. Explore more about VPPs here: Unlock $1,000+ Annually: Best Home Battery VPP Programs in Australia 2026 Ranked.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT offers a substantial annual rebate and zero-interest loans for upgrades:

Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate: An annual rebate of $800 for 2026-27. This is calculated daily and paid directly to eligible residents. Eligibility includes various concession card holders and ACT Services Access Card holders.
Sustainable Household Scheme: Zero-interest loans from $2,000 to $15,000 for energy-efficient upgrades like battery storage and electric appliances, with up to a 10-year repayment period.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania provides ongoing electricity concessions and support for hardship cases:

Annual Electricity Concession: From 1 July 2026, this concession is $1.84347 per day for retail customers (approximately $673 per year) and a once-off payment of $673 for embedded network customers in 2026-27. For eligible Pensioner Concession, Health Care, ImmiCard, and Tasmanian Concession Card holders.
Heating Allowance: $56 per year ($28 paid twice) for Pensioner Concession Card holders not receiving from another pension.
Medical Cooling or Heating Concession: Approximately $513.70 per year for concession households with medical needs.
Life Support Concession: Varies.
Energy Hardship Fund: The 2026-27 Tasmanian Budget includes $450,000 for this fund, operated by the Salvation Army.

Western Australia (WA)

While the universal federal $150 credit for 2025-26 applied automatically for Synergy and Horizon Power customers by October 2025, and applications for others closed March 31, 2026, WA continues to offer state-based concessions. Eligible concession card holders should check the WA Government website for current entitlements.

Northern Territory (NT)

The NT has fewer specific state-level energy rebates detailed for 2026, but residents can still benefit from federal solar incentives:

NT Concession Scheme: Provides electricity and water concessions for eligible pension and concession cardholders.
Federal Solar Rebate (STCs): A 6.6kW system in Darwin could see approximately $1,800 off the upfront cost in 2026.
Federal Battery Rebate: The national battery subsidy offering around 30% off the installed cost also applies.

How to Claim Your Rebates

Check Eligibility: Verify if you meet the criteria for any federal or state rebates. This typically involves holding a valid concession card or meeting specific income thresholds. Some rebates are also tied to medical conditions or specific energy-efficient upgrades.
Register Your Concession Card: For ongoing electricity and gas concessions, contact your energy retailer directly and provide them with your concession card details. Many eligible households miss out because their card isn’t registered or updated.
Apply Directly: For programs like the NSW Home Energy Saver loans/discounts, Victorian Solar Homes rebates, or emergency assistance schemes, apply via the relevant state government department or program administrator. Be prepared to provide documentation such as proof of income, utility bills, and medical certificates.
Work with Accredited Installers: For solar and battery rebates, ensure your chosen installer is Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited and approved under the relevant state schemes. They will often handle the STC application process, applying the discount directly to your quote.

Bottom Line

Despite the conclusion of the broad federal energy bill relief, substantial financial assistance is still available to Australian households in 2026. By actively checking your eligibility for state-specific concessions and federal incentives for energy-efficient upgrades like solar and batteries, you can unlock hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in annual savings. Don’t let these unclaimed rebates go to waste – a simple call to your energy retailer or a visit to your state government’s energy website could significantly reduce your power bills.