The Minns Labor Government is fulfilling its election promise to provide Energy Bill Relief to small businesses, as it announces an increase to the payment for vulnerable people in financial hardship and crisis.
The Energy Bill Relief Fund will provide support to 1.6 million eligible NSW households and 320,000 eligible NSW small businesses. This is part of a jointly funded scheme to reduce cost of living pressures as announced by the Albanese and Minns governments.
Most eligible households and small businesses will automatically receive the Energy Bill Relief from Monday 31 July 2023.
The NSW Government is encouraging eligible people who won’t automatically receive the Energy Bill Relief to apply from Tuesday 1 August 2023.
Increase to EAPA Crisis Support Payment
The NSW Government is announcing it is increasing the crisis support payment for vulnerable people struggling to pay their bills, due to short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency, such as loss of income, unexpected costs or natural disasters.
Under the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme, the NSW Government will increase the EAPA limits to $500 for the 2023-2024 financial year for both electricity and gas bills.
Eligible people can receive the payments for both electricity and gas, twice per financial year, meaning they could receive up to $2,000 over the financial year.
When will eligible households receive their energy bill relief?
Households with a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card, a DVA Gold Card or life support equipment who already receive a NSW electricity rebate from their energy retailer will automatically receive a quarterly rebate of $125 on their electricity bills from Monday 31 July 2023 onwards.
If the above households do not receive a NSW energy rebate but are eligible, they should apply to their retailer for the relevant NSW energy rebate. These customers will then be provided the additional Energy Bill Relief payment automatically.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, Family Tax Benefit A and B recipients, and people living in embedded networks (that is private electricity networks used by apartment blocks and caravan parks) need to apply for the relevant rebate from Tuesday 1 August 2023.
Energy bill relief is also being provided to some people who are not eligible for existing NSW energy rebates. Customers who do not receive a NSW energy rebate but receive the Carer Allowance, or hold a Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card, will be contacted by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs from September with information about how to apply.
When will eligible small businesses receive their energy bill relief?
Eligible small businesses that:
- Use less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year will receive a one-off $650 payment in the 2023-24 financial year.
- Are a retail customer do not need to do anything. Energy retailers will automatically apply the energy bill relief to their electricity account (if they are eligible) from Monday 31 July 2023.
- Are part of an embedded network (such as located in a shopping centre) will be able to apply from October 2023.
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“We understand many people are doing it tough as cost of living pressures make it difficult for families to get by and businesses to keep their doors open, and I want them to know more help will be available from Tuesday 1 August 2023.
“I want every household and small business that is eligible, to get the support they are entitled to.
“We’re increasing crisis support payments to make sure the lights stay on for people in crisis. Vulnerable people will be able to apply for up to $2000 in vouchers each year though the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme.
“The increased payment will make a real difference to those in our community are struggling, due to an emergency such as loss of income, unexpected costs or natural disasters.”
How to check if you are eligible
If you… | And you… | You need to… |
|---|---|---|
Did receive a NSW energy rebate on your last electricity bill | Hold a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, or Health Care Card, or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card (marked with ‘War Widow’ or ‘War Widower Pension’ or ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ or ‘Disability Pension’), or You use life support equipment | Do nothing. You will automatically receive a quarterly payment of $125 on your energy bill from Monday 31 July 2023. |
If you did not receive a NSW energy rebate on your last electricity bill | Hold a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card (marked with ‘War Widow’, ‘War Widower Pension’, ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ or ‘Disability Pension’), or Use life support equipment | Apply for the NSW energy rebate from your energy retailer. You will then receive the additional Energy Bill Relief payment automatically. |
| If you did not receive a NSW energy rebate on your last electricity bill | Receive the Carer Allowance, or Hold a Low Income Health Care Card, or Hold any other DVA card | Wait to be contacted by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs from September 2023 onwards with information about how to apply. |
Did or did not receive a NSW energy rebate on your last electricity bill | Hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or Receive Family Tax Benefit | Apply for the relevant 2023/24 rebate on the Service NSW website. Applications can be made from Tuesday 1 August 2023. You will then receive the additional Energy Bill Relief payment automatically. |
Live in an embedded network (such as apartment blocks, retirement villages and caravan parks) | Hold a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card (marked with ‘War Widow’ or ‘War Widower Pension’ or ‘Totally and Permanently Incapacitated’ or ‘Disability Pension’), or Use life support equipment | Apply for the relevant 2023/24 NSW energy rebate on the Service NSW website. Applications can be made from early August 2023. You will then receive the additional Energy Bill Relief payment automatically. |
Are a small business using less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year | Are a small business customer with an energy retailer | Do nothing. Energy retailers will automatically apply the energy bill relief to your electricity account from Monday 31 July 2023. |
| Are a small business using less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year | Are part of an embedded network (such as a shopping centre) | Wait to be advised from October 2023 onwards how to apply. Information will be made available on the Energy NSW website. |
