Energy providers put more money into hardship schemes as power prices rise
The number of Australians unable to pay energy bills is expected to rise as price hikes hit from 1 July.
With major energy price hikes starting from 1 July, Australian energy consumers are about to feel a sharp pain in their hip pockets. To help customers who can’t pay their bills, Australian energy providers are expanding their hardship assistance programs.
EnergyAustralia this month announced it was putting $10 million into its hardship scheme, a five-fold increase of its usual amount. Many state governments are also expanding their own hardship policies. Western Australia last week increased its energy assistance payment for eligible residents by $66.
What is hardship assistance?
Sometimes it’s a struggle to keep on top of power bills. Energy providers recognise this and run hardship assistance programs to help people pay their bills. State governments also offer relief, rebates and concessions for people on lower incomes who are struggling to pay their energy bills.
Hardship assistance schemes offered by energy providers
Most providers offer some form of hardship assistance policy or program. Here are the schemes of some of Australia's major energy providers:
| Energy provider | Scheme name | Conditions/Details |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | Staying Connected |
|
| EnergyAustralia | EnergyAssist |
|
| Origin | Power On |
|
| Click Energy | Financial Hardship Policy Program |
|
| Red Energy | Red Energy Hardship Policy |
|
| Powershop | ON |
|
| Dodo Power and Gas | Energy Assistance Program |
|
| Momentum Energy | Keeping Momentum |
|
Government hardship assistance schemes in your state
Each state government has its own range of financial assistance options for people who can’t pay their bills.
Note that government rebates and concessions typically require the recipient to have a valid concession or health care card, or meet a means test. Here are the available concessions and rebates in each state:
NSW residents may be eligible for the following rebates/concessions:
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate
- Gas Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance vouchers
Read more about energy assistance in NSW here.
Victorian residents may be eligible for the following rebates/concessions:
- Winter Gas Concession
- Medical Cooling Concession
- Annual Electricity Concession (a year-round discount for residents with concession cards)
- Life Support Concession
Learn more about Victorian energy rebates here.
Residents of Queensland may be eligible for the following rebates/concessions:
- Electricity Rebate
- Home Energy Emergency Assistance scheme
- Electricity Life Support Concession
Get more information about Queensland energy assistance here.
South Australian residents may be eligible for the following rebates/concessions:
- Energy bill concession
- Medical heating and cooling concession
- Cost of living concession
- Residential park resident concession
- Home dialysis electricity concession
If you live in Tasmania you may be eligible for the following rebates/concessions:
- Annual Electricity Concession
- Heating Allowance
- Life Support Concession
- Medical Cooling Concession
If you're looking to cut down on your power bills you can start by comparing energy plans to try and get a better power deal. You can also look at reducing your energy consumption with our energy saving tips.
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