The Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for the 2024-25 fiscal year, investing an additional $3.5 billion to provide electricity bill rebates to all Australian households and eligible small businesses.
This builds upon the $1.5 billion allocated in the previous year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to alleviating the financial pressure on citizens in the face of economic challenges.
The Energy Bill Rebate aims to ease the burden of electricity costs by offering direct rebates, which will be automatically applied to electricity bills.
The initiative covers a wide range of recipients, ensuring that every Australian household benefits, while also offering vital support to small businesses meeting certain consumption thresholds.
State and territory governments will be essential in managing and delivering these rebates through electricity retailers.
Australia Energy Bill Rebates Overview
The Energy Bill Relief Fund offers rebates to all Australian households and eligible small businesses, providing much-needed financial support for electricity bills.
General Eligibility for Households
- Eligibility: The Energy Bill Relief Fund is available to all Australian households, including those in non-self-governing territories, ensuring widespread access to the relief.
- Automatic Application: Most households will see a $300 annual rebate applied automatically to their electricity bills, paid in quarterly installments of $75.
- This process is handled by electricity providers.
- Embedded Networks: Households in embedded networks, such as apartment buildings, caravan parks, and retirement villages, are also eligible.
- These households must apply for the rebate through their respective state or territory government.
Small Businesses
- General Eligibility for Small Businesses: To qualify for the $325 annual rebate, small businesses must meet their state or territory’s definition of a ‘small customer,’ which is based on their annual electricity consumption.
- Eligible businesses will automatically receive their rebate, just like households.
- Annual Electricity Consumption Thresholds: Eligibility for small businesses is determined by the following consumption thresholds for each state and territory:
- New South Wales (NSW): 100 MWh
- Victoria (VIC): 40 MWh
- Queensland (QLD): 100 MWh
- South Australia (SA): 160 MWh
- Tasmania (TAS): 150 MWh
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): 100 MWh
- Northern Territory (NT): 160 MWh
- Western Australia (WA): 50 MWh
Small businesses exceeding these thresholds will not be eligible for the rebate.
Embedded Networks for Small Businesses
Small businesses in embedded networks, such as those in shopping centres, must also meet the small customer criteria and apply for the rebate through their state or territory government.
Rebate Amounts and Distribution
The Energy Bill Relief Fund offers direct financial support through rebates for eligible households and small businesses, with a straightforward and efficient distribution process.
Household Rebates
- Annual Rebate: All Australian households are entitled to a $300 annual rebate, distributed in four equal quarterly installments of $75.
- State-Specific Additional Rebates: Some states provide extra rebates in addition to the federal rebate:
- Queensland: Residents receive an additional $1,000 rebate, bringing the total annual rebate to $1,300.
- Western Australia: Residents receive an additional $400 rebate, making the total annual rebate $700, paid in two installments of $350.
Small Business Rebates
Eligible small businesses will receive a $325 annual rebate, which will be applied directly to their electricity bills in quarterly installments.
AUS Energy Rebate Claim and Distribution Process
For most households and small businesses, the rebate will be applied automatically to their electricity accounts by electricity providers. However, there are some specific cases to be aware of:
- Embedded Networks: Households and small businesses in embedded networks must apply for the rebate through their state or territory government.
- Western Australia: Households without an account with Synergy or Horizon Power must apply through RevenueWA starting in July to receive the rebate.
