Everybody loves a discount!
So, let’s walk you through the senior energy discounts available in your state or territory.
If you’re an older Australian who wants to secure an energy rebate or concession, you may need one of the following concession cards:
It depends on your state or territory. There are numerous rebates and concessions available, some for the entire population and some specifically created to assist seniors and pensioners.
Let’s take a look at some of what your state offers seniors:
N.B. The following concessions relate to seniors: learn more about state and territory energy rebates and concessions. Information is accurate as of March 2021.
Senior concession cardholders are eligible for the Annual Electricity Concession, a percentage rate discount off energy usage and supply costs. The Winter Gas Concession is a similar percentage based concession for cardholders with a gas connection.1
The Victorian Government also offers eligible seniors the following concessions:
Learn more about Victorian energy concessions and rebates.
The seniors Energy Rebate is an electricity rebate available for independent retirees, who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). Alternatively, if you’re a senior but do not hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you may be eligible for the Low Income Household Rebate.2
A Life Support Rebate is available if you or a member of your household requires the use of approved life support equipment that’s used at home with high energy consumption. This rebate can cover equipment such as dialysis machines or ventilators and is based on a daily rate and how often the equipment is used.
The NSW government also offers the Gas Rebate for concession cardholders and the Medical Energy Rebate for eligible customers who can’t properly regulate their body temperature due to certain medical conditions, e.g. Multiple Sclerosis.3
Learn more about New South Wales energy concessions and rebates.
Eligible Queensland senior cardholders can benefit from the Electricity Rebate, an annual rebate to help cover the cost of electricity bills. In addition, there’s the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate for customers with natural gas bills.4
Other concessions Queensland seniors may be entitled to include:
Visit Queensland energy concessions for more information.
South Australian seniors on a low income may be eligible for Energy Bill Concessions and the Cost of Living Concession. There’s also the Home Dialysis Electricity Concession and the Medical Heating and Cooling Concession for eligible customers with physical ailments.5
The Residential Park Resident Concession helps seniors living in a caravan or residential park with energy, sewerage, and water bills.
Learn more about South Australian energy concessions and rebates.
Seniors with concession cards could be eligible for the Cost of Living Rebate. While not specifically designed for energy, the rebate aims to help seniors meet increased living expenses.6
There are also medical rebates for financially disadvantaged individuals on life support at home (Life Support Equipment Electricity Subsidy Scheme). Plus, the Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy Scheme. This energy rebate helps eligible people with thermoregulatory dysfunction (unable to control their body temperature) run their medical equipment at home. There’s also the Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) for eligible concession card holders.7
Visit Concessions WA for more information.
Eligible seniors can take advantage of the state’s Heating Allowance, which is available to help with heating costs. Seniors may also qualify for the following:8
For more information, visit the Tasmanian Government’s energy discounts and concessions.
The Utilities Concession covers electricity, natural gas, water and sewerage. The rebate is available for eligible ACT residents while the amount depends on several factors including, the season.9 ACT also offers a Life Support Rebate for people using medical equipment (e.g. life support machines). A sub-category of this rebate is available for concession card holders who have an eligible medically-diagnosed inability to regulate their body temperature.
Visit the ACT revenue office, for more information on energy rebates and concessions.
The NT Seniors Recognition Scheme allocates money to Northern Territory residents 65 and over for expenses such as fuel, internet bills, plus electricity and gas bills.10
Seniors may also be eligible for the NT Concession Scheme, which offers a range of discounts on essential goods and services, including electricity, water and sewerage.
Learn more about Northern Territory energy concessions and rebates.
Typically, you can contact your energy provider (often called a ‘retailer’) and they’ll apply any eligible energy rebates and concessions for seniors after verification.
We rely on energy concessions and rebates to help us save on our bills, but there are other ways to reduce costs. For example, there may be a better value energy deal available – you just haven’t found it yet! Our energy comparison service is a free online tool that allows you to compare energy prices and features.
There’s no need to open a hundred tabs. We’ve got you covered all in one spot. Compare now!
