NSW and QLD floods: Energy companies offer relief for people without power
The measures in place include bill relief and financial counselling so you can worry just a little bit less.
Floods have been sweeping through Queensland and New South Wales, cutting off power and forcing many people to evacuate their homes.
Here's how to access support if your energy supply or bills have been affected.
What support are the major energy companies offering?
If you're having trouble paying your bill, all major energy companies offer financial hardship programs. These include payment plans, bill deferral and financial counselling.
However, some of the major companies are offering extra support in the face of recent disasters. Here's what they're doing:
AGL
- Paused all disconnections for non-payment in affected areas.
- Sending text messages to over 230,000 customers to give updates on the evolving situation and support available.
- Impacted customers can visit the flood landing page for more information and resources.
Origin Energy
- Providing extra information regarding government grants and how to stay energy safe in a flood event.
- Additional bill relief for customers who have been severely impacted (for example, losing property or being unable to live and work in their house).
- Impacted customers can visit Origin's natural disaster page for information and resources.
If you're not with one of these providers, it's still worth contacting your retailer to see if it has any additional support available. We'll keep updating this guide as we hear back from more providers about specific support they might be offering.
Other support available to you
Note: if you're in an emergency situation, you should always call 000 or check your state's emergency services for updates and warnings (NSW and QLD).
Government support
- Disaster Recovery Payment – a lump sum payment for people seriously affected by floods in Northern New South Wales.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance – compensation for people who have lost income due to floods in Northern New South Wales.
- Disaster Relief Grant – financial relief for people who have had their homes or possessions damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant – a contribution to support people who can't meet their immediate needs (for example, food, shelter) as a result of floods.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant – helps people meet their immediate needs when they've lost an essential service for 5 days or more.
Financial hardship
Your energy provider should have a financial hardship program in place if you're struggling to pay your bill. You'll need to contact your provider to access these programs, but here are the links to the ones from the 3 major providers:
If you've been impacted by the floods, power bills will only be a small part of your worries. Get further help and stay up-to-date with the latest news on relief, insurance and aid through our Australia Floods hub.
