With the 2023/24 NSW Budget only days away, the Minns Government keep the announcements coming. The latest is an additional $100 million to support eligible families and households with their energy bills from 1 July 2024. 

The support will provide energy bill relief to eligible concession card holders including low-income households, pensioners, self-funded retirees, veterans, families, and people with certain medical conditions. 

From 1 July 2024:

• Low Income Household Rebate and Medical Energy Rebate will increase from $285 to $350. This is an increase of 23 per cent. This will be the biggest increase in the Low Income Household Rebate value in more than a decade.
• Family Energy Rebate will increase from $180 to $250 for those receiving the full rate, which is an increase of 39 per cent.
• For those on a partial rate (who also receive the Low Income Household Rebate) the assistance will move from $20 to $30.
• Seniors Energy Rebate will increase from $200 to $250. This is an increase of 25 per cent.
• The Life Support Rebate will increase for each piece of equipment by 22 per cent.

The $100 million funding is on top of the $326 million allocated in 2024-25 to the existing six energy rebates and one crisis support payment, Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA).

The EAPA scheme provides rebates for people struggling to pay their bills due to short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency such as loss of income or a natural disaster.

We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future. 

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said, “The NSW Government is delivering on its promise to provide relief to families and other households who are finding it difficult to pay their energy bills.

“We understand many people are doing it tough. This additional funding will make a material difference to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“The Government is committed to keeping downward pressure on power prices at the same time as working to get more renewable energy into the grid, which will deliver cleaner and more affordable power.”