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Energy plans for seniors and pensioners
30 Aug 2024
In this article, Canstar Blue compares cheap electricity deals for seniors and pensioners, explains what to look for in a power plan, and what rebates and concessions may be available to help you lower your bills even further.
Once the kids have moved out and life has settled down, you might find your home doesn’t use as much electricity as it used to. Lower usage of course means smaller bills, but what if we told you there’s a way to save even more on your power bills?
If you’ve been stuck with the same electricity provider – like AGL or Origin – for several years without comparing other offers, chances are you’re paying too much for energy. Keep reading to see our tips for making the most of your energy plan as a senior, from finding cheap rates to any concessions or rebates you may be eligible for.
What makes a ‘good’ energy plan for seniors and pensioners?
If you’re a senior or pensioner, you’re probably not using as much electricity as the younger crowd. If that’s the case, it will likely be a smart move to look for an electricity deal that has low supply charges. These are the daily charges you need to pay for each day that you’re connected to the energy network.
Electricity plans are made up of two main charges – usage and supply. Energy providers typically compensate for low supply rates with higher usage rates, and vice versa. For small households, supply charges will typically make up a higher proportion of your overall energy costs. For large households, usage charges generally make up a higher proportion of overall costs. Therefore it pays to get the cheapest rates on the charges that have the biggest impact on your hip pocket.
This being the case, it may also be a smart move to find a plan with a higher percentage off the Reference Price or Victorian Default Offer (VDO), opposed to a plan with added value incentives. If you do decide to go with a plan offering a conditional discount or extra features, it’s probably best you find an electricity plan that has a benefit period of at least two years, so you won’t lose the discount for 24 months. Some retailers even offer ongoing discounts, but don’t fall into the set and forget trap of assuming that you’re always going to be getting a great deal.
Ultimately the key to finding the right electricity plan for your needs is having a good understanding of your energy usage habits. Be sure to check your recent energy bills to find out how much power you’re using and how this compares to other households. Read on for examples of cheap energy deals in each state we have compared, or jump straight into our comparison tool to find plans in your area.
Compare cheap energy plans
A cheap electricity plan for seniors and pensioners will likely have low usage charges, assuming that the household will generally not consume as much power as households with several occupants or kids, for example. With this in mind, we have trawled our energy database to show examples of the cheapest plans in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, but you should treat these as examples only. These are not energy plans for seniors per se, but some of the cheapest deals on our database for all consumers. Use our comparison tool above for a specific comparison in your area.
Energy concessions for seniors
Each state government offers a discount to Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card holders. The title, value and eligibility requirements of these concessions vary from state to state, so be sure to check your state government’s website (via the links in the table below) to confirm what discounts may be available.
| State | Seniors Concession |
|---|---|
| NSW | $250 |
| VIC | 17.5% of total annual bill (excluding first $171.60) |
| QLD | $372.20 (electricity) |
| SA | $263.15 |
Source: State government websites, August 2024.
Additional rebates may also be available to electricity account holders with low incomes and health conditions. Visit Canstar Blue’s guide to energy rebates for further information.
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Specific energy plans for seniors
While the electricity plans featured above will likely be some of the cheapest deals on the market for seniors and pensioners given that they are based on low-usage households, they are not specific plans for older Australians, in that any household can sign up to them. However, it’s worth checking with your energy retailer – and any prospective ones – if they offer specific products for seniors. Below is a guide to what some energy retailers, including some of Australia’s biggest power companies, have to offer seniors and pensioners.
AGL seniors plans
AGL is one of the only electricity providers in Australia with specific products for seniors and pensioners. Customers in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland and South Australia can sign up to the AGL Seniors plan, which comes with low rates, plus additional sign-up credits. In this case, it applies bill credits on top of low base rates, meaning seniors will likely end up paying less than most other customers. This plan offers a reasonable amount off the Reference Price and Victorian Default Offer in each state and also comes with no fees for paper bills, should customers choose this option.
All AGL Seniors members will receive access to AGL Rewards, where they can find exclusive discounts on lifestyle products. AGL also provides a seniors offer for natural gas customers in WA, where customers receive a guaranteed discount off gas usage charges.
AGL seniors prices
EnergyAustralia seniors
All EnergyAustralia deals are compatible with state government senior concessions and rebates. If you currently hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card, visit the EnergyAustralia website to have your rebate applied. To do this, you will need to make a ‘My Account’ and update your details. Once you’re done, your electricity concession should take effect immediately.
How to find the best deal on energy
Older customers are often the most loyal, but when it comes to energy supply, loyalty usually doesn’t pay. If you’ve been with the same electricity company for several years, then you are likely paying too much. The best energy deals are typically reserved for new customers, so it’s wise to regularly compare offers and see where you could save. At the very least, get in touch with your existing retailer and ask for its ‘best offer’ – you can also find this by checking your most recent power bill. Also, don’t forget about your concessions. Be sure to check your power bills to make sure you’re receiving all the rebates and discounts you’re entitled to.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: Perfect Wave/Shutterstock
