Maximising Your Savings: A Guide to the Latest Energy Rebates in Australia for 2023
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In this article, we rounded up the latest energy rebates across Australia - both from the federal government and in every state and territory.
For most Australians, bill shock is all too real, with energy costs on the rise and homeowners’ struggling to maximise savings or even understand what energy rebates exist.
Whilst we can’t control inflation, we can control how we consume energy at home. It’s prudent to stay up to date with the latest energy concessions and rebates because prices won’t be falling anytime soon.
Power bills continue to be one of the biggest monthly expenses for most people which means understanding the latest energy rebates can only be a good thing.
In this article, we rounded up the latest energy rebates across Australia. There are rebates or subsidies in place both from the federal government and in every state and territory.
Across Australia: The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
Households and small businesses that install small-scale renewable energy systems (solar, wind or hydro) or eligible hot water services can potentially receive a benefit under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), available to all households and businesses across Australia.
Image Credit: Kindel Media
The scheme creates financial incentives for people to install:
· Solar Panels (Photovoltaic PV panels)
· Wind Turbines
· Hydro Systems
· Solar Water Heaters
· Air Source Heat Pumps
Eligibility criteria and application processes are different from state to state, although they are all similar. You can go to the Federal Government’s website for information specific for your state here, and find out more about eligible systems for the scheme here.
New South Wales Energy Rebates
One-third of households in New South Wales (NSW) are already receiving energy rebates from those on a low income through to retired seniors and pensioners. Given the cost of living there is some peace of mind to know that there is help out there.
Top tip: NSW is really leading the way with the opportunity to upgrade your hot water system for $33 which is an incredible saving given most hot water systems retail for upwards of $2,500.
NSW energy rebates currently include:
Low Income Households can receive a rebate as a credit on each quarterly energy bill up to $285 per year. The amount is applied and calculated daily from the date of application.
Seniors who are Independent self-funded retirees can receive a rebate of $200 per year whereas pensioners and veterans may be eligible for the $285 Low Income Household Rebate.
Families with selected retailers can receive a rebate with a credit of up to $180 on their energy bill.
Gas bills for eligible households can receive a rebate as a credit on each quarterly gas bill, up to $110 per year.
The Medical Energy Rebate is for customers who have an inability to self-regulate body temperature when exposed to extreme hot or cold environmental temperatures. A diagnosis is required for eligibility and the rebate is approximately $71.00 credit on each quarterly energy bill and, up to a total of $285.00 per year.
Other rebates available include:
Energy Savers Scheme - Upgrade your household lighting
Energy Security Safeguard - Upgrade your air conditioning
Visit the NSW Government’s website to find out the latest details for each scheme and rebate.
Victorian Energy Rebates
The Victorian Government offers a variety of rebates and programs to help Victorians cut their power bills and reduce emissions. Other than The Victorian Energy Upgrades program if you’re building a new home in Victoria (VIC), you can now get generous rebates on solar panels and hot water as well as an interest-free loan through Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes program.
Current Victorian Energy rebates include:
The Power Saving Bonus (PSB) pays a one-off $250 rebate to Victorian households who look for a better energy deal on Victoria’s Energy Compare website. The new $250 payment builds on the existing PSB program, previously available to eligible concession card holders.
The National Solar Subsidy provides a discount of $2,200 in Melbourne and is factored into pricing.
The Victorian Solar Panel Rebate provides a subsidy of up to $1,400 and is available towards purchasing a solar power system. The good news is you can also take advantage of the national solar rebate.
The news is also good for small business with the Solar For Small Business rebate covering up to 50% of the cost of installing a rooftop solar system and a maximum “rebate” of $3,500.
Other rebates cover solar batteries (up to $3,500), electric vehicles ($3,000) and the feed-in tariff. More information regarding the eligibility criteria can be found by visiting solar.vic.gov.au. You might also like to check out our step-by-step breakdown of the application process in this article.
Queensland Energy Rebates
Queensland (QLD) leads the pack in terms of rooftop solar systems. Fun fact: homes in the Sunshine State currently generate more combined capacity than the two big power stations in Gladstone and Hervey Bay.
To support the cost of living the QLD Electricity Rebate provides a rebate of $372.20 per year (inc. GST) and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate of $80.77 per year (inc. GST). These rebates are designed to help seniors, pensioners, veterans and asylum seekers with their electricity bills. There is also a Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession of $372.21 per year available.
The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme offers a one-off payment to households experiencing difficulty paying their power bill in the event of an emergency or short-term financial crisis. This rebate pays up to $720 once every 2 years.
Last year the Queensland Government offered a Solar Bonus Scheme that works on a feed-in-tariff system. While they are not currently accepting new applications, keep an eye out for new updates later this year.
Other rebates include the National Solar Subsidy (around $2,600 off a 6.6kW system installed in 2023) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) rebate ($3,000 on new electric vehicles under $58,000 purchased from July 1, 2022, plus discounted vehicle registration and registration duty costs.
Western Australia Energy Rebates
Those who live in Western Australia (WA) would be no stranger to the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS). It offers eligible households and small businesses payments for electricity they export to the grid from rooftop solar PV set-ups.
Besides the Federal Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) which assists with the costs involved with installing solar panels, the WA Government also offers a Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS). It assists Western Australian utility customers who are in financial hardship and are unable to pay their utility bills.
The Western Australia Government is currently offering concessions for Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity, also new electricity accounts get a one-off rebate (for certain cardholders).
For Synergy and Horizon Power customers there are rebates of up to $310.60 per year, whilst Perth Energy and Alinta Sales customers also get a rebate. Like other states there’s also a Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy. And, as one might expect of the sunny state of WA there is also an air conditioning rebate.
Finally, WA also has a Hardship Utility Grant Scheme offering those struggling with power bills payments up to $580 or $960 per year.
South Australia Energy Rebates
South Australians (SA) may qualify for various rebates and incentives under the state’s Energy Efficiency Assistance Policy, also known as The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS).
REPS aims to support households and businesses to reduce costs and to maximise benefits, ultimately delivering more affordable and sustainable energy around SA.
The SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) provides extra discounts to eligible energy concession customers, and people who live in a residential or caravan park may be eligible to receive Residential park resident concessions to help with their energy bills.
Visit SA Government’s website for a full list of the latest energy rebates.
Tasmania Energy Rebates
Other than the Annual electricity concession and the Winter Bill Buster discount, Tasmanians are best to consult the Federal Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). As a zone 4 qualifier, Tasmania (TAS) residents are eligible to receive Small Scale Technology Certificates through SRES, valued at $2,971 for a 6.6W solar system.
In general, residents will automatically receive a discount on their solar energy systems by roughly 20-30%, which is an excellent incentive.
Northern Territory Energy Rebates
The Northern Territory (NT) Government offers a program called Territory Renewable Energy. This program includes a Home and Business Battery Scheme and a feed-in-tariff payment system. Householders and businesses may be able to apply for grants up to $6,000.
Other electricity concessions include:
Concessions for Jacana Energy and Power and Water Corporation customers (fixed daily rate of $1.158 per day plus $0.082 per kilowatt used, excluding GST)
Prepaid electricity meters receive a credit up to $1,200 each financial year if you are an owner or primary tenant, and use either tokens, an e-meter, or a secure meter.
Living in a registered caravan park receives an electricity rate of $1.274 per day.
Alternative energy, e.g. if the member is not connected to the grid and generates their own energy for domestic use receives an electricity rate of $1.274 per day
Visit the NT Government website for a full list of the latest energy rebates.
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