NSW energy rebates and concessions

Fact Checked

In this article, Canstar Blue has compiled the current energy rebates and vouchers currently available to New South Wales residents. There are quite a few electricity and gas rebates on offer, all with varying eligibility criteria.

Energy rebates and concessions in NSW

NSW has a range of energy rebates, concessions and vouchers available to residential customers. NSW households may be eligible to apply for more than one rebate, so it’s best to read the terms and conditions to maximise all financial assistance available.

Available rebates and concessions in NSW:

• Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund extension
• Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
• NSW Low Income Household Rebate (Retail Customers)
• NSW Government Gas Rebate (Retail Customers)
• NSW Seniors Energy Rebate
• NSW Family Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)
• NSW Life Support Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)
• NSW Medical Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)

Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund extension

Eligible NSW households can claim an additional $150 off electricity bills continuing in July 2025 under the Australian Government’s extended Energy Bill Relief fund.

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

EAPA is a rebate available for anyone having trouble paying their electricity bills due to a short-term financial crisis.

Note: customers should contact their energy retailer to inform them of their application for EAPA. Energy retailers cannot disconnect customers while they are waiting to be assessed.

• Rebate amount: based on application
• Eligibility: NSW households experiencing loss of income, unexpected medical costs, natural disaster or receival of disconnection letter. Service NSW will judge the severity of each hardship
• Applied to: electricity or natural gas bills
• How to apply: online, in person or over the phone. Users can submit applications through their MyServiceNSW accounts
• Needed for application: two proof of identity documents and the current power bill as evidence of financial crisis
• Next step: within two to six weeks, applicants will be contacted by a NSW Government employee who will assess eligibility and discuss support options

NSW Low Income Household Rebate (Retail Customers)

The NSW Low Income Household Rebate for retail customers is supplied by the NSW Government to households that can prove their concessional status.

• Rebate amount: $350 (excluding GST) annually
• Eligibility: applicants must hold a DVA or Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card, Services Australia Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card marked with ‘War Widow’, ‘War Widower Pension’, ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI) or ‘Disability Pension’ (EDA)
• Applied to: electricity bills
• How to apply: customers who pass eligibility requirements should speak with their electricity retailer. Those applying should have the appropriate concession card/s ready and ask for the Low Income Household Rebate to be applied to their account

Note: those who receive the Low Income Household Rebate will automatically receive the National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment, provided the household has not already received it. Customers on an embedded network should also check eligibility for the Low Income Household Rebate (on supply).

NSW Government Gas Rebate (Retail Customers)

The NSW Government Gas Rebate for retail customers goes towards residential gas payments, be it natural gas or LPG. To qualify for this rebate, households must prove they’re within a low-income bracket.

• Rebate amount: $110 (excluding GST) per year for natural gas
• Eligibility: individuals must hold either a Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Services Australia/DVA, Services Australia Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card marked with ‘War Widow, or ‘War Widower Pension’, ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ (TPI), or ‘Disability Pension’ (EDA). Must have a natural gas or LPG account and the applicant must be the account holder
• Applied to: natural gas or LPG costs
• How to apply: customers who pass eligibility requirements should speak with their gas retailer. Those applying should have the appropriate concession card/s ready and ask for the NSW Gas Rebate to be applied to their account

Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for the NSW Gas Rebate (on supply and bottled gas households).

NSW Seniors Energy Rebate

NSW Seniors could be eligible to receive the Seniors Energy Rebate – a direct deposit into their bank account for the purpose of paying electricity bills.

• Rebate amount: $250 per household, per year
• Eligibility: seniors looking to apply must have be a self-funded retiree and hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as be the account holder on the electricity bill for their primary place of residence
• Applied to: bank account
• How to apply: you’ll have the choice of either applying online, through a service centre or over the phone. Online applications are found on the Service NSW website, where if you’re eligible you could receive a deposit into your elected bank account within just five business days

Note: those who receive the Seniors Energy Rebate and pass the eligibility criteria will receive the National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment, providing the household has not already received it.

NSW Family Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)

The NSW Family Energy Rebate for retail customers is designed for families with dependents, such as children. How much you’ll be able to receive from the government will be determined by the NSW Government.

• Rebate amount: varies depending on circumstances, up to $250 per retail household, per financial year
• Eligibility: households will be eligible for this rebate if they’ve received the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) in the last financial year, with entitlements to the FTB payments finalised by Centrelink
• Applied to: electricity bills
• How to apply: customers can apply for the Family Energy Rebate online, or through the post

Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for NSW Family Energy Rebate (on-supply customers).

NSW Life Support Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)

The NSW Life Support Energy Rebate is for people with life support equipment at home. The NSW government provides an electricity rebate to help cover the large power bills that life support machines (e.g. home dialysis, ventilators and oxygen concentrators) can contribute to.

• Rebate amount: depending on the type of life support machine, up to $1,638 per household
• Eligibility: any electricity account holder who is using approved life support equipment at their place of residence. A registered medical practitioner must verify the type and usage of machinery
• Applied to: electricity bills
• How to apply: customers must download the NSW Life Support Rebate Application Form from the Service NSW website and complete all areas of the form. The applicant’s medical practitioner should then complete their relevant sections and sign the declaration. Once those steps are completed, the form needs to be sent to the account holder’s electricity provider

Note: customers on an embedded network should check eligibility for NSW Life Support Energy Rebate (on supply).

NSW Medical Energy Rebate (Retail Customers)

The Medical Energy Rebate is designed for individuals in NSW who are unable to self-regulate body temperature, therefore rely on air conditioning and heating.

• Rebate amount: up to $350 per retail household and $385 a year per embedded network household
• Eligibility: Applicants must have a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card. Someone at the property must meet at least one primary and one secondary qualifying condition and have an assessment by a registered GP or specialist
• Applied to: Electricity bills
• How to apply: Applicants and their GP or specialist need to complete the Medical Energy Rebate form online or over the phone through Service NSW. They then need to send the form directly to their electricity provider.

Note: customers on an embedded network (on-supply) can apply here.

Compare New South Wales energy prices

If you are looking to avoid bill shock and cut down your energy bill but haven’t compared your current plan in the last 12 months, you could be paying the default price for energy. You can start comparing your energy plan with some of the cheapest in NSW using the comparison tool below, or by clicking the Canstar Blue button at the bottom of the page.

Original reporting by Simon Downes
Image Source: Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock.com