The Australian Government has announced an extension and expansion of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for the 2024-25 fiscal year, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting its citizens during challenging economic times. This initiative allocates a substantial $3.5 billion to provide electricity bill rebates to all Australian households and eligible small businesses.
Who is Eligible?
- All Australian households are eligible, including those in external and non-self-governing territories.
- Automatic Application: In most cases, the $300 annual rebate will be automatically applied to electricity bills in quarterly installments of $75.
- Embedded Networks: Households in embedded networks (e.g., those receiving electricity from a strata or landlord) will need to apply through their respective state or territory government.
Small Businesses:
- Eligibility: To qualify for the $325 annual rebate, small businesses must meet their state or territory’s definition of a ‘small customer,’ typically based on annual electricity consumption.
- Automatic Application: Eligible small businesses will generally receive their rebate automatically.
- Consumption Thresholds: Eligibility for small businesses varies by state and territory. For example:
- 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
- Embedded Networks: Small businesses in embedded networks must also meet their state or territory’s small customer criteria and apply through their respective government.
Rebate Amounts and Distribution:
- Households: All households receive a $300 annual rebate in four quarterly installments of $75.
- State-Specific Rebates: Some states offer additional rebates:
- Queensland: $1,000 state rebate (paid upfront) + $300 federal rebate (quarterly) = $1,300 total
- Western Australia: $400 state rebate (two installments) + $300 federal rebate (quarterly) = $700 total
- State-Specific Rebates: Some states offer additional rebates:
- Small Businesses: Eligible businesses receive a $325 annual rebate in quarterly installments.
How to Claim:
- Most Households and Small Businesses: Rebates are automatically applied to electricity bills.
- Embedded Networks: Households and businesses in embedded networks must apply through their state or territory government.
- Western Australia (Specific Cases): Households without an account with Synergy or Horizon Power must apply through RevenueWA.
This initiative aims to provide significant financial relief to Australian households and small businesses by directly reducing their electricity costs. By extending and expanding the Energy Bill Relief Fund, the Australian Government demonstrates its commitment to supporting its citizens during challenging economic times.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not be entirely comprehensive. Please refer to the official government website or contact your state or territory government for the most up-to-date information and eligibility criteria.