Save on Electricity: Rebates, Provider Comparisons & Bill Relief Guide

Opening your electricity bill shouldn’t feel like a punch to the gut. Yet for millions of Australians, that’s exactly what happens every quarter.
The good news? Between federal rebates, state-specific vouchers, and a few smart switches, you could slash hundreds off your annual electricity costs without living in the dark or sweating through summer.

This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly where the money is, how to claim it, and what actually makes a difference to your bill.

The $300 energy rebate (National Energy Bill Relief) is automatically applied to electricity bills for all eligible households in quarterly instalments. You generally do not need to apply manually; however, you must ensure your electricity account details match your concession card details if applicable.

If you haven’t seen the credit appear on your bill, contact your electricity retailer directly. The rebate applies regardless of whether you’re a homeowner or renter.

You’ve probably seen this figure thrown around online. Here’s the reality: there’s no single $1,300 rebate. This number typically refers to the combined potential of stacking state and federal rebates.

For example, a NSW pensioner household might reach that figure by combining:

• $300 Federal Energy Bill Relief
• $285 NSW Low Income Household Rebate
• $200+ Medical Energy Rebate (if eligible)
• $500+ Family Tax Benefit supplements

Stack Your Savings: Review every rebate you’re entitled to based on your concession cards, health needs, and family situation. Most households leave money on the table by claiming only one.

Let’s clear this up: there’s no $4,000 cash voucher for white goods. This search usually relates to the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS), which provides significant discounts (40-50% off) on energy-efficient appliances at the point of sale.

• NSW resident
• Hold a valid concession card (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or DVA Gold Card)
• Replacing an old, inefficient appliance (fridge, TV, air conditioner)

If you tick all three boxes, you can access discounted appliances through approved retailers participating in the scheme. The discount is applied at checkout – no voucher codes required.

The Low Income Household Rebate in NSW is worth up to $285 annually, with additional rebates available for medical equipment users and life support requirements.

To claim:

1. Log in to your MyServiceNSW account
2. Select “Low Income Household Rebate” from the rebates menu
3. Enter your electricity retailer and account number
4. Submit and wait for confirmation (usually within 5 business days)

Living in an embedded network? If you’re in a caravan park, retirement village, or apartment complex where you don’t have a direct account with a retailer, you’ll need to complete the “on-supply” application form instead. This is available through Service NSW.

If you cannot pay, access the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme for $50 vouchers (NSW) and request a hardship plan from your provider. Providers cannot disconnect you if you are actively adhering to a hardship arrangement.

This is important: you have rights. Energy retailers are legally required to offer hardship programs, and they cannot cut your power while you’re engaging with them in good faith.

Use these exact words when you call your provider:

“I am requesting to be placed on your hardship program. I cannot pay the full amount today. I would like to set up a payment plan and check my eligibility for government grants.”

Write down the name of the person you speak to and the date. If they refuse to help, ask for a supervisor or lodge a complaint with the Energy Ombudsman in your state.

Yes. If you receive the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, or Carer Payment, you may be eligible for:

• An advance payment on your regular pension
• The Utilities Allowance (paid automatically twice yearly)
• Crisis Payment in extreme circumstances

Log in to your MyGov account and navigate to Centrelink to request an advance payment. This can provide immediate relief while you sort out longer-term arrangements.

The cheapest provider changes based on your distribution zone (Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential, etc.) and your usage patterns. As of late 2025, smaller challenger brands often offer rates 10-15% lower than the default market offer.

The federal government sets a “Reference Price” each year – this is the benchmark. Any plan priced below the reference price is giving you a genuine discount.

To find the best deal for your address:

1. Grab a recent electricity bill
2. Visit Energy Made Easy (federal) or your state’s comparison site
3. Enter your postcode and usage details
4. Sort by total annual cost, not just the percentage discount

Avoid plans with high daily supply charges, even if the usage rate looks attractive. For low-usage households, the daily charge often matters more than the per-kWh rate.

AGL and Origin are comparable Tier 1 providers. Neither is consistently cheaper than the other – it depends on your circumstances.

The real answer? Check both against smaller retailers before deciding. The big two often cost more than challenger brands like Amber, ReAmped, or Powershop.

Heating and cooling (HVAC) is the biggest cost, accounting for roughly 40% of the average bill. Water heating comes second, followed by “always-on” appliances like old pool pumps, second fridges, and beer fridges in the garage.

Highest Impact (tackle these first):

• Air conditioning: $2.00+ per hour
• Electric hot water system: $400-$800 per year
• Pool pump: $500-$1,000 per year

Medium Impact:

• Clothes dryer: $0.60-$1.00 per load
• Second fridge: $150-$300 per year
• Electric oven: $0.50+ per hour

Lower Impact (don’t stress about these):

• LED lighting: negligible
• Phone chargers: negligible
• Modern TVs: $10-$20 per year

Yes, but very little. Modern LED TVs use less than 1 watt in standby mode, costing approximately $5-$10 per year. Older plasma or LCD screens can use significantly more.

Verdict: Not worth unplugging daily unless you have a very old unit or you’re going away for an extended period.

No. Unlike TVs, a kettle has a mechanical switch. Once it clicks off after boiling, the circuit is broken. Leaving it plugged in uses $0.00 in electricity unless your kettle has a digital display or “keep warm” function.

Verdict: Myth busted. Don’t worry about the kettle.

The temperature setting makes all the difference:

Switching to cold wash for most loads can save approximately $100 per year. Modern detergents work effectively in cold water, and your clothes will last longer too.

1. Check your bill for the automatic $300 federal rebate
2. Log in to Service NSW (or your state equivalent) and claim any manual rebates you’re entitled to
3. Compare providers using Energy Made Easy – even a 10% saving adds up
4. Target your air conditioning – every degree cooler in summer or warmer in winter costs roughly 10% more

The money is there. You just need to claim it.