Apply for the household National Energy Bill Relief payment

Introduction

Carer Allowance recipients, Low Income Health Card holders and DVA Gold Card holders are eligible for a National Energy Bill Relief payment of up to $500 towards their electricity bills in financial year 2023-24.

This initiative is co-funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.

Most households started to automatically receive their bill relief payment on their electricity bill in quarterly instalments of $125 from 31 July 2023. Please check your most recent electricity bill and contact your energy retailer if you have not received your payment.

Eligibility was re-checked on 31 October 2023 and will be checked again on 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024. 

Eligibility

You must live in NSW, be the energy account holder for your principal place of residence and: 

• hold a Low Income Health Care Card, or 
• hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card, or
• receive the Carer Allowance.

Exclusions

If you receive a NSW energy rebate in financial year 2023-24, you will automatically receive the National Energy Bill Relief payment. Only one National Energy Bill Relief payment will be provided per household, and you do not need to apply.

Find out if you are eligible for a NSW energy rebate. 

How to apply

If you do not receive a NSW energy rebate and are eligible for the National Energy Bill Relief payment, you can now apply. Applications close on 30 June 2024.

Households that are retail (on-market) customers

You are a retail (on-market) customer if you receive your energy bill directly from an energy retailer. 

You will need:

• your personal and contact details
• your Low Income Health Care Card, DVA Gold Card or Carer Allowance details.

To apply

Low Income Health Care Card holders and Carer Allowance recipients

You can apply for the bill relief payment through your online MyGov Centrelink account.

The bill relief payment will then be processed by your energy retailer and will appear on your energy bill.

Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card holders

You can apply for the bill relief payment by contacting the energy retailer named on your electricity bill.

Households that are embedded network (on-supply) customers

You are an embedded network (on-supply) customer if you receive your energy bill from the owner or manager of your retirement village, strata complex or caravan park. 

You will need:

• your personal and contact details
• your Low Income Heath Care Card, DVA Gold Card or Carer Allowance details
• your bank account details to receive the bill relief payment
• your latest energy bill (JPG or PDF file) which must:
  • have your name and address printed on it.
  • be the most recent meter reading dates for your household (taken after 1 July 2023 and less than 3 months old).
  • not be handwritten.

To apply

1. Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Have your documentation ready.
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
4. Follow the steps to complete your application.

Applications should be processed within 2 to 6 weeks.