Energy bill relief available in NSW in 2026, including government rebates, retailer hardship programs, and how to apply for help with your electricity
Cost of Living Desk is a contributing writer covering cost-of-living and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
The NSW Government provides several forms of energy bill relief to help households manage the cost of electricity and gas. The relief includes rebates, vouchers, and hardship programs. The relief is targeted at low-income households, concession card holders, and households that are experiencing financial hardship. The relief is administered by Service NSW and by energy retailers.
The Low Income Household Rebate provides a $150 rebate per year to eligible households. The rebate is available to households that receive a concession card, including the Pensioner Concession Card, the Health Care Card, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and the Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card. The rebate is applied directly to your electricity account and is not a cash payment.
To apply for the Low Income Household Rebate, you need to contact your electricity retailer and provide your concession card details. The retailer will apply the rebate to your next bill. If you have a gas account, you need to contact your gas retailer separately to apply for the gas rebate, which is also $150 per year.
The Family Energy Rebate provides a $180 rebate per year to eligible families. The rebate is available to families with children under 18 who receive a Family Tax Benefit. The rebate is applied directly to your electricity account.
To apply for the Family Energy Rebate, you need to contact your electricity retailer and provide your Family Tax Benefit details. The retailer will apply the rebate to your next bill.
The Medical Energy Rebate provides a $150 rebate per year to eligible households that have a person with a medical condition that requires the use of heating or cooling. The rebate is available to households that receive a medical concession card or have a medical practitioner certify that the household requires additional heating or cooling for medical reasons.
To apply for the Medical Energy Rebate, you need to contact your electricity retailer and provide your medical concession card or a medical certificate. The retailer will apply the rebate to your next bill.
The Energy Bill Relief Fund is a NSW Government program that provides emergency financial assistance to households that are unable to pay their energy bills. The fund provides grants of up to $1,000 to help households pay outstanding energy bills and avoid disconnection. The fund is administered by Service NSW and is available to households that are experiencing financial hardship.
To apply for the Energy Bill Relief Fund, you need to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a Service NSW centre. You will need to provide evidence of your income, your energy bills, and your financial situation. The application process takes approximately two weeks, and the grant is paid directly to your energy retailer.
All energy retailers in NSW are required to provide a hardship program for customers who are unable to pay their bills. The hardship program provides payment plans, debt management, and in some cases, grants to help customers pay their bills. The hardship program is available to customers who contact their retailer and explain their situation.
The NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman has published a guide to retailer hardship programs at NEWA Hardship Programs. The guide explains how to access hardship programs and what to expect from your retailer.
The best way to reduce your energy bills is to compare offers from different retailers and switch to a cheaper plan. The Australian Energy Regulator maintains a comparison website at Energy Made Easy. The website allows you to compare electricity and gas offers in your area and switch to a cheaper plan online.
Some households can save $300 to $500 per year by switching to a cheaper plan. The savings are greatest for households that use a lot of energy, such as households with electric heating or hot water.
Solar households can also save money by installing a battery or by joining a virtual power plant. A battery allows you to store the electricity you generate during the day and use it at night, when electricity prices are higher. A virtual power plant allows you to sell excess electricity to the grid during peak periods and receive a payment.
In addition to the energy rebates, the NSW Government provides a range of concessions to help low-income households with the cost of living. The concessions include:
To apply for concessions, you need to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a Service NSW centre. You will need to provide your concession card and proof of identity.
More information about energy bill relief is available at Service NSW Energy Rebates and Energy Made Easy.
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