Introduction
If your small business uses less than 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year, it may be eligible for the National Energy Bill Relief payment in the 2023-24 financial year.
The bill relief payment provides up to $650 towards small business electricity bills in financial year 2023-24. Small businesses can only receive one energy bill relief payment in the 2023-24 financial year.
Most small businesses started to automatically receive their bill relief payment on their electricity bill in quarterly instalments of $162.50 from 31 July 2023. Eligibility was rechecked on 31 October 2023, and will be checked again 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the bill relief payment, your small business must:
- have not already received the National Energy Bill Relief payment for small business
- be based in NSW
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be named on the electricity bill or account
- be on a separately metered business tariff
- use less than 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year.
Note: If you operate your small business from your home or your small business is on a residential electricity tariff, you are not eligible. Other exclusions may apply, for example, post offices, government-owned agencies, gas and water retailers, and telecommunications companies are also not eligible.
How to apply
Small businesses that are an on-market electricity customer
Most small businesses get their energy bills directly from an authorised energy retailer and are an on-market electricity customer.
On-market customers do not need to do anything. Eligible on-market customers will automatically receive their bill relief payment on their electricity bill in quarterly instalments of $162.50.
Eligible small businesses should have started receiving their quarterly bill relief payments on their electricity bills from 31 July 2023. Please check your latest bill for this payment. If you have not received the payment, please contact the electricity retailer named on your bill.
Eligibility was rechecked on 31 October 2023, and will be checked again 31 January 2024 and 30 April 2024.
Small businesses that are embedded electricity network (on-supply) customers
If your small business gets an electricity bill or invoice from, or on behalf of, the owners or management company of your business premises, such as a shopping centre, you may be an embedded electricity network (on-supply) customer.
You will need:
- your Australian Business Number (ABN)
- your most recent electricity bill(s) showing a minimum of 90 days of usage
- a document that verifies your small businesses bank account details including the financial institution’s name, BSB, account number and account name.
To apply:
- Check you meet the eligibility criteria
- Have your documentation ready
- Select the 'Apply online' button
- Select 'Start a submission'
- Log in, or create a SmartyGrants account.
- Follow the steps to complete your application.
Note: You must be the business owner or an authorised contact or associate as listed on the Australian Business Register to apply for the bill relief payment.
Applications are processed within 2 to 6 weeks. Applications will close 30 June 2024.
Successful applicants will receive the bill relief as a lump-sum payment into the nominated bank account for their small business.