On Tuesday night we learned more about the Government’s plan for electricity bill relief after Treasurer Jim Chalmers made his 2023-24 budget speech to Parliament.
Officially, the government is calling them “Energy Relief Payments” – but think of it more as a rebate.
The federal government had to negotiate eight separate agreements with each state and territory, so it’s a bit complicated.
Let’s understand what it’s all about and then break it down state-by-state.
What is Energy Bill Relief Package?
“Up to $500 will be cut from the electricity bills of more than five million households in the next fiscal year,” Chalmers said.
Eligible small businesses will receive up to $650.
they important thing to remember is that it Money will be deducted from people’s electricity bills,
This Payment will not be made directly into the bank accounts of the eligible people.
“Instead of spraying cash checks on people, we do it on bills,” Mr. Chalmers said.
“It means working with retailers and working with the states and territories.”
Another important keyword here is “family”, which is the word the government is using.
This measure is not dependent on the passing of a law, so it is set in stone.
Live Updates: Read our blog as we open the federal budget
State-by-State Breakdown of Energy Bill Relief
Here’s what eligible households and small businesses will get in each state and territory.
Remember that the key word here is ‘eligible’ — it This does not mean that every household or small business will get this relief.
Work:
- Family: Receive a $175 annual energy rebate on your electricity bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $325 discount
NSW:
- Family: Receive a $500 energy rebate on their electricity bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $650 discount
northern region:
- Family: Receive a $350 annual energy rebate on your electric bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $650 discount
Queensland:
- Family: Receive a $500 annual energy rebate on your electricity bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $650 discount
South Australia
- Family: Receive a $500 annual energy rebate on your electricity bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $650 discount
Tasmania:
- Family: will receive $250 per year for two years
- Small Businesses: Receive a total bill credit of $650 for 2023-24
Victoria:
- Family: Receive a $250 annual energy rebate on your electricity bills, in addition to the $250 electricity savings bonus already open to all Victorians, providing a total of $500 worth of bill relief
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $325 discount
Western Australia:
- Family: Receive up to $350 in energy rebates on your electricity bills
- Small Businesses: Will be able to use the $650 discount
Budget Breakdown: What’s in It for You?
Who is eligible for Energy Relief?
Generally speaking, it is for People on Centrelink payments And small businesses,
People will be eligible for energy bill relief through this measure if they:
- Have a Pensioner Concession Card (including one issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA))
- have a health care card (including a low-income health care card)
- Have a DVA Gold Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (including cards issued by the DVA)
- Receive Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A or B
- Receive Carer’s Allowance.
If you are not currently on these payments it is worth checking to see if you are eligible for them.
You can see what payments you may be eligible for through Services Australia’s online tool – it will run you through a set of questions to see what you may be able to get.
You can check to see if you are eligible for Centrelink payments through the Services Australia website. (ABC News: Daniel Maguire)
What if you are not eligible for energy bill relief?
You may benefit from another budget measure dubbed by the government as the “Energy Savings Plan”.
Part of this is to provide financing options for homeowners looking to make energy-saving upgrades to their homes: think things like battery-ready solar panels, modern appliances and double glazing on windows.
The budget earmarks $1 billion for that measure, which is estimated to help more than 110,000 families.
Meanwhile, the federal government has also set aside $300 million to support energy-saving upgrades to social housing, which is expected to help around 60,000 properties.
Do you need to apply for energy bill relief?
“This will be automatic and customers will not need to do anything,” a document from Services Australia said.
However, it is possible that some people and businesses may need to confirm their eligibility.
“Service Australia will contact customers from September 2023 if any action is required.”
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When will it be applicable?
The measure takes effect in the new fiscal year on July 1.
However, saying that customers will be contacted from September if they need to do anything, the Services Australia fact sheet suggests the cuts will not appear on bills for a few months after that.
Budget Breakdown: What’s in It for You?
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