Apply for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate (retail customers)

Application details for the electricity bill rebate for retail customers with eligible concession cards.

Introduction

The NSW Low Income Household Rebate helps eligible concession cardholders pay their electricity bills. 

The NSW Low Income Household Rebate is $285 per retail (on-market) household, per financial year. 

You will also automatically receive a one-off $500 National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment in financial year 2023-24 if:

  • you meet the eligibility criteria
  • your application for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate is successful
  • your household has not already received the National Energy Bill Relief Household Payment.

If you are a retail (on-market) customer, you need to contact your electricity retailer to apply.

If you are an embedded network (on-supply) electricity customer you may be eligible to apply for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate (on supply).

Note: Embedded network (‘on-supply') means your electricity is supplied by an embedded network – such as in a residential community, retirement village or strata scheme – and you receive your electricity bill or invoice from the strata manager or community/village operator. If you’re not sure whether you're an on-supply customer, contact the electricity provider named on your electricity bill.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you live in NSW and all of the following apply: 

  • you have an electricity account for your home in NSW
  • you're the account holder (the account and bill must be in your name)
  • you hold one of the following:
    • Pensioner Concession Card issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
    • Health Care Card issued by Services Australia, or
    • Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card marked with either 'War Widow', 'War Widower Pension', 'Totally and Permanently Incapacitated' (TPI) or 'Disability Pension' (EDA).

What you need

Your Services Australia Customer Reference Number (CRN) or Department of Veterans' Affairs file number.

How to apply

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.
  2. Call your electricity retailer.
  3. Ask for the NSW Low Income Household Rebate to be applied to your account.
  4. Provide your eligible concession card details.
  5. Confirm with your retailer that the rebate has been applied.

More information

  • Retail customers receive the rebate as a daily credit on each electricity bill, up to a total of $285.00 per year. The amount is calculated from the day you call your retailer and apply.
  • If you change your electricity retailer, you can continue to receive the rebate by providing your new retailer with your Services Australia CRN or Department of Veterans' Affairs file number .
  • A household can only receive one NSW Low Income Household Rebate each financial year.
  • You can only receive the rebate for your principal place of residence.
  • If you receive the NSW Low Income Household Rebate, you may be eligible for the NSW Gas Rebate or the Rebate Swap program. 
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for this rebate and can apply for the Seniors Energy Rebate instead.

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Last updated: 9 August 2023