The Australian Government has announced the extension and expansion of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for the 2024-25 fiscal year, committing $3.5 billion to assist households and eligible small businesses with their electricity bills. This initiative builds on the previous year’s $1.5 billion allocation and highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to ease financial pressures during challenging economic times.
The Energy Bill Rebate aims to reduce electricity costs for Australians by offering direct rebates on electricity bills. These rebates will be automatically applied to bills, benefiting households across the country and supporting small businesses that meet specific electricity consumption criteria. State and territory governments will play a key role in managing the rebate distribution through electricity retailers.
Overview of Australia’s Energy Bill Rebates
The Energy Bill Relief Fund is open to all Australian households, including those in external and non-self-governing territories, ensuring that every household can take advantage of this financial relief. The rebate, typically set at $300 annually, will be automatically applied in quarterly instalments of $75, directly reducing electricity bills. For most households, this means no additional steps are required to claim the rebate.
Households in embedded networks—such as those living in apartment buildings, caravan parks, or retirement villages, where electricity is supplied through a strata or landlord—can also receive the rebate. However, these residents must apply for the rebate via their state or territory government to ensure they receive the support they are eligible for.
Small Business Rebate
Small businesses can qualify for a $325 annual rebate, provided they meet their state or territory’s definition of a ‘small customer,’ based on annual electricity usage. Like households, eligible small businesses will receive the rebate automatically, simplifying the process.
The eligibility for small businesses is determined by specific annual electricity consumption thresholds, which vary by region:
- 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.
State-Specific Additional Rebates
In addition to the federal rebate, several states offer further support:
- Queensland: Residents are entitled to a $1,000 state rebate, bringing the total annual rebate to $1,300. The $1,000 state rebate is paid upfront, while the federal rebate of $300 is distributed in quarterly instalments of $75.
- Western Australia: Residents receive an additional $400 rebate, making the total annual rebate $700. This state rebate is paid in two instalments of $350 during the July-August and December-January billing cycles.
Rebate Claim and Distribution Process
For most households and small businesses, the rebate will be applied automatically by their electricity provider, which will directly reduce electricity bills without requiring any action from the recipient.
However, residents in embedded networks (such as those in apartment buildings or caravan parks) must apply for the rebate through their respective state or territory government to ensure they receive their share of the financial relief.
In Western Australia, households that do not have accounts with Synergy or Horizon Power must apply through RevenueWA starting in July. This ensures that all eligible households, regardless of their electricity provider, receive the rebate they are entitled to.
Conclusion
The expansion of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for 2024-25 reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting households and small businesses with rising electricity costs. With rebates available for both individuals and businesses, as well as additional state-based support, the initiative makes it easier for Australians to manage their energy expenses. The automatic application of these rebates ensures that most recipients can benefit without the need for complex processes, while those in embedded networks will still be able to access the rebates by applying through their state or territory government.
