The South Australian Government has introduced an Australian Electricity Rebate which became available for eligible households and small businesses in South Australia from 1st September 2023.
The Energy Bill Relief rebate is designed to provide assistance in paying your electricity bills and is available in addition to the South Australian Energy Concession.
If you are currently receiving the South Australian Energy Concession, you are already eligible for the Energy Bill Relief Rebate, and there is no need for additional action on your part. The rebate will be automatically applied to your bills.
For those who do not receive the energy concession, it’s essential to check your eligibility for the concession first. Some individuals may be eligible for the rebate but not the concession, in which case they will need to provide specific information to Services Australia or their energy retailer to receive the bill relief.
To be eligible for the additional rebate, the person whose name appears on the electricity bill must meet one of the following criteria:
– Pensioner Concession Card
– Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care Card)
– DVA Gold Card
– Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
– Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A or B
– Carer Allowance
Alternatively, you must be eligible for the South Australian energy concession. Please note that only one rebate is available per household, even if multiple eligible individuals reside in the same home. Eligibility is checked quarterly, and you only need to meet the criteria on one day in a quarter to receive the energy bill relief for that quarter.
Small businesses based in South Australia that consume less than 160MWh of electricity per year and are on a separately metered business tariff with their electricity retailer are eligible for the rebate. New businesses established during this financial year that meet these criteria will also be eligible, with the rebate backdated for any missing relief.
Please note that small businesses using electricity from their homes or exceeding the annual electricity consumption threshold of 160MWh are not eligible for the rebate.
For the 2023-24 financial year, eligible households may receive up to $500 a year, paid as either a quarterly credit of $125 for individuals receiving electricity bills or a one-off bank account payment for those living in embedded networks. Eligible small businesses can apply for up to $650 a year, paid as a quarterly credit of $162.50.
If you are already receiving an electricity concession, Your eligibility for the energy bill relief would have already been assessed on September 30, 2023 and you don’t need to take any action. If eligible, you will receive a one-off payment of $500 directly into your bank account, in addition to the energy concession. If you are no already receiving an existing energy concession, check if you need to apply for the energy bill relief. Eligible small businesses will automatically receive the rebate starting from July 2023 through their electricity retailer.
If you change retailers, please update your details using the household concessions form or call the ConcessionsSA Hotline at 1800 307 758. Ensure that your name listed on the bill matches your Centrelink or DVA card.
We encourage all our clients to explore the potential benefits of the South Australian Electricity Rebate and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to reduce your electricity expenses. For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit the official South Australian Government website https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions/household-concessions/energy-bill-relief
