Attention Centrelink recipients: Claim your energy bill rebate!

As the cost of living continues to rise, many Australians are feeling the pinch, especially when it comes to their energy bills.

But there's some good news on the horizon for those receiving Centrelink benefits.

A new initiative is set to provide a much-needed financial reprieve, with automatic rebates being applied to electricity bills for eligible recipients.



Services Australia has announced that Centrelink recipients will soon be contacted with details on how to consent to share their information with their electricity retailer.

This step is required for eligible Australians to start receiving automatic rebates on their energy bills.


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Centrelink recipients can get automatic rebates on their energy bills. Credit: Shutterstock


‘Once your electricity retailer has confirmed your Centrelink details with us, they will pay you automatically,’ Services Australia said.

‘You will get your rebate automatically if you get a state energy concession or live in Queensland or Western Australia.’

The amount of the rebate and the timing of its application will vary depending on where you live in Australia.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:



In New South Wales, households can anticipate a one-off $500 bill-relief payment in the 2023-24 financial year.

Households in Victoria are eligible for a $250 bill relief.

Queensland households receiving the $372 Queensland Electricity Rebate will be granted an additional $700 Cost of Living Rebate on their electricity bill in 2023-24, totalling $1,072 in relief.

All other Queensland households are set to receive a $550 Cost of Living Rebate on their electricity bill in 2023-24.

South Australians can expect up to $500 a year in relief, paid quarterly at $125.



In Western Australia, households eligible for the WA Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) or the Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) could receive up to $500 in bill relief on top of their existing ECES or EAP payments. Other households can receive up to $400 in relief.

The Northern Territory is offering $350 in bill relief from 1 July 2023 for eligible households.

Eligible Tasmanian households can get up to $250 in bill relief rebates from 1 July 2023.

And lastly, eligible households in the Australian Capital Territory can look forward to $175 in bill relief.

Key Takeaways

  • Centrelink recipients can receive an automatic rebate on their electricity bills, with varying amounts depending on their state of residence.
  • Services Australia will be sending letters to recipients with instructions on how to consent to share details with electricity retailers for automatic payment.
  • The rebate amounts differ by state and territory, with some households in NSW eligible for a one-off $500 payment and those in Queensland eligible for up to $1,072 in total relief.
  • The rebates are part of measures to assist with the cost of living, and eligibility criteria and rebate amounts vary across the country.
What do you think of this energy relief, members? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Editor's Note: Bill relief for Tasmania has been added to this article. We apologise for the oversight.
 
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$500 ... a fraction of what the electricity bill is for the year..... might as well save their time with the administration.....
 
I wonder if this is another pre-election sweetener for the government ? Or just another shearing of personal details , 1 has to think;
Why not kill two birds with one stone...... they must take the average voter for a moron.....
 
Why not kill two birds with one stone...... they must take the average voter for a moron.....
Power rebate or not I have no intention to vote for Labor and never had.
Not that I think we were really any better off with Liberal.
Politicians are only interested in their own back pockets and coming up with brain farts to keep themselves in power and cushy jobs.
 
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Power rebate or not I have no intention to vote for Labor and never had.
Not that I think we were really any better off with Liberal.
Politicians are only interested in their own back pockets and coming up with brain farts to keep themselves in power and cushy jobs.
You got it in one.... lousy flea-bitten mongrels...... not worth pi**ing on if they were on fire.
 
Hmmmmmm this whole electricity mess was bought about by interference by Govt, who like dairy best deals cause a balls up in everything they touch; it should be a pre req before people get into parliament that they must borrow $150.000... buy a small business live, run and pay back the loan with in 4 yrs,to show they know how to run a business and live from the proceeds, Good luck with the next round of discounts
 
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In NSW we got $500 split into 4 payments of $125 each last year which automatically came off our quarterly electricity bills. We didn't have to claim it by giving our details to anyone. Why is it any different this year. I am still with the same electricity company and they already have my details.
 
Oversight still, what of Centrelink recipients on Norfolk Island, NSW 2899 @ 82 cents Kw, you state automatic, eligible recipients, pensioners on NI left behind not even on the map..sad
 
I think all pensioners get a quaterly rebate. To get this rebate you have to give your pension details to your electricity company to get this credit on your bill. If not you will be paying full price. I get around $90 per quater, give or take depending on your power bill amount. I think the rebate mentioned in this article is an extra payment.
 
In Victoria this has been paid ages ago just a rehash.
These are supposed to be new payments for 24/25, WA Premier announced them in our budget last week.
We also had these payments last year. Why would they be announcing them now in their current budget if they were for last year. Most people would have already used up the bulk of that one.
I should imagine it's the same in all states.
 
I'll believe it when i see it in my account??
I'm in NSW and just had $125.00 Aus Govt Bill Relief on my latest electricity bill. I don't understand why it's a different amount in every state though. Aren't we supposed to be one country?
 

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