Energy concession and support

Save money/concessions on bills

Non-Mains Energy Concession

• Victorian households that rely on:
  • firewood
  • LPG
  • other non-mains methods.
• For heating and cooking can apply for the Non-Mains Energy Concession.
• Depending on energy bills, an annual rebate of between $53-$604 is available. Visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website for more information.

Non-Mains Utility Relief Grant

• Victorians on low incomes (with or without a concession card) who rely on non-mains energy, including firewood, and have experienced unexpected financial hardship can apply for the Non-Mains Utility Relief Grant of up to $650.
• You can apply for the grant if you have an amount owing for a previous firewood purchase or if you will not be able to afford your next fuel purchase.
• Visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website for more information.

Power Saving Bonus

The Victorian Government is addressing the rising cost of living by announcing a new round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus as well as the expansion of a dedicated Energy Assistance Program to help low-income households experiencing hardship to manage their energy bills.

Victorian households can apply for the new $250 Bonus by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare website or by engaging with an energy affordability service through a participating community organisation.

When the next round of the $250 Power Saving program commences on 24 March 2023, the eligibility for the program will remain the same as the previous round. To be eligible, Victorian households will need to:

• Have a recent residential electricity bill and be the account holder for that bill
• Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website, or engage with an energy affordability service through a participating Community Outreach Partner.

To support households who may not have access to a computer or the internet, or who otherwise may struggle to apply for the $250 payment, the Government has funded the delivery of a new phase of the Community Outreach Program.

Participating organisations include Anglicare Victoria, Bendigo Community Health Services, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Consumer Action Law Centre, Community Information & Support Victoria, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Good Shepherd, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, and State Trustees. Households can call 1800 000 832 to access support or contact an outreach partner

Energy Assistance Program

The Energy Assistance Program will support households experiencing vulnerability, providing one-on-one tailored energy support and ensuring participants are connected to retailers’ hardship assistance and other relevant government supports.

The Program aims to assist low-income households and those experiencing hardship by:

• Providing households with one-on-one assistance to navigate the energy market.
• Supporting households to manage the rising cost of living by saving money on their energy bills.
• Increasing households’ capacity to better understand the energy affordability support and mechanisms that are available to encourage them to participate in the energy market more often.
• The Energy Assistance Program is being delivered in partnership with community partners Anglicare Victoria and Community Information & Support Victoria. Households can call 1800 161 215 Monday to Friday to make an appointment to speak to an energy advocate.

Victorian Energy Compare

The Victorian Energy Compare website is the only free and independent online energy price comparison service available to Victorian energy consumers.

Over the last 12 months, user data shows that 7 out of every 10 users were able to save money by switching energy offers, with typical annual savings of $330 on energy bills in the first year alone.

Improving Household Energy Efficiency

Household Energy efficiency

• Energy efficiency is about saving energy, reducing your bills and making your home more comfortable.
• Find out about the benefits of an energy efficient home at Sustainability Victoria.

Victorian Energy Upgrades program

• Get involved in Victorian Energy Upgrades program and save money on the installation of energy-efficient products, reduce your energy bill and help the environment.
• Find out more at: www.victorianenergyupgrades.vic.gov.au