If the feeling of dread hits every time an energy bill arrives, take advantage of government power rebates available around the country.
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These rebates are handled by states and eligibility requirements vary, but governments are offering financial help for residents struggling to pay their bills.
Victoria
The state government has announced a second round of $250 payments from March 24 to August 31, 2023.
More than 1.7 million Victorian homes have taken advantage of the Power Saving Bonus Scheme since it began in July 2022 .
All Victorian households are eligible for the rebate if they have a recent residential energy bill on hand.
The application must come from the energy account holder and households are eligible for one rebate in total, for each round of the Power Saving Bonus program.
Households can apply for the rebate through the Victorian Energy Compare website or link up with an energy affordability service through one of the state government's participating community outreach partners.
The Victorian Government's Savings Finder has information about other benefits and rebates available.
Pensioner Concession, Health Care and Veterans' Affairs Gold card holders are also eligible for the annual electricity concession and the winter gas concession.
NSW
In the recent NSW election Labor pledged to take $250 off some household energy bills and $315 off the energy bills of eligible small businesses.
The federal government plans to match the figure offered by the state, with $500 going to eligible households and $630 to small businesses.
The current plans have eligibility limited to concession card holders, family tax benefit recipients and self-funded retirees with a commonwealth seniors health card.
Many of these card holders are also eligible for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme, Family Energy Rebate and Seniors Rebate.
The NSW Savings Finder has information on other available benefits including gas and low income household rebates for Pensioner Concession, Health Care and some DVA Gold care holders.
Western Australia
Last year Western Australians got $400 in the Household Energy Credit program, but the state government has not announced a second round of payments for 2023.
The Concessions WA website has a range of household payments available to take the sting out of bill and appliance costs.
Programs tailored to families, seniors and veterans are on offer including the Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme, the Air Conditioning Rebate and a Reduced Meter Test Fee.
ACT
The ACT offers $750 payments to pension, veterans and health care card holders through the Utilities Concession program - also available to eligible residents of caravan parks and retirement villages.
The payment covers electricity, natural gas, water and sewerage, and can be claimed once by the energy account holder.
In the 2022-23 financial year, an extra stand-alone $50 payment will be available - alongside the Utilities Concession program.
The ACT Savings Finder features 65 discounts, rebates and subsidies open to the state's eligible residents.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government offers a wide range of discounts and concessions on government services including housing, education and energy.
Their energy discounts include an annual electricity concession and a heating allowance for pensioners and concession cardholders.
Other energy discounts include a life support energy subsidy and a medical heating or cooling concession through Tasmania's Savings Finder.
Northern Territory
The NT Government subsidises a range of services, including council rates, garbage, water, sewerage and electricity, for Territorians eligible under the NT Concession Scheme.
The electricity concession payment caps at $1,200 per year, but the eligibility requirements exclude any household used for business or commercial purposes.
Other rebates and subsidies can be found on the NT's Saving Finder site.
Queensland
Electricity and gas rebates are available to Queensland's Seniors, Pensioner Concession and Veteran card holders, as well as asylum seekers.
This includes an electricity rebate of $372.20 per year and a natural gas rebate of $80.77 per year.
In 2022, Queenslanders received a $175 cost of living rebate, but this payment has not been announced for 2023.
The QLD Government's Savings Finder also has information on a 20 per cent subsidy on council rates for eligible concession card holders.
South Australia
Eligible South Australians on low or fixed incomes, including concession cardholders, low income households and self-funded retirees, can get energy and cost of living concessions.
South Australia offers up to $241.63 a year to cover energy payments, including fuels used to generate energy.
A cost of living concession is available to help people on low or fixed incomes with living expenses including council rates, energy and medical bills.
South Australia's Savings Finder also offers discounts on health and travel expenses.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
