NSW Energy Rebates 2026: Every Discount You May Be Eligible For

Updated April 2026 · General information only

If you are a New South Wales resident holding a concession card or experiencing financial hardship, there are several government rebates and concessions that may reduce your electricity and gas bills. These rebates are administered through your energy retailer (not paid to you directly) and range from automatic credits on your bill to emergency vouchers for households in crisis.

This guide covers every NSW energy rebate available in 2026, who qualifies, how much each is worth, and how to make sure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.

TL;DR

NSW offers multiple energy rebates that may reduce your household electricity and gas costs by hundreds of dollars per year. Concession card holders can stack several rebates — for example, the Low Income Household Rebate ($285/yr) plus the Gas Rebate ($110/yr) for a combined $395 per year in automatic credits. In total, an eligible NSW household could potentially access over $575 per year in energy rebates, plus up to $800 in emergency assistance vouchers if experiencing hardship.

NSW Energy Rebates at a Glance

Source:
, NSW Government, IPART, as of April 2026. Amounts subject to change.

Low Income Household Rebate (LIHR)

The Low Income Household Rebate is the primary energy concession for NSW households. It provides an annual credit applied directly to your electricity bill.

Key details:

• Amount: $285 per year *(Source: NSW Government / Service NSW, 2025-26 rates)*

• Payment method: Applied as a credit to your electricity account — you do not receive a separate payment

• Limit: One rebate per household (not per person)

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for the LIHR if you are the account holder (or the spouse/partner of the account holder) and hold one of the following:

• Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) — issued by Centrelink or DVA

• Health Care Card (HCC) — issued by Centrelink

• DVA Gold Card

• DVA Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Card

The electricity account must be in your name (or your partner's name) at your principal place of residence in New South Wales.

How It Works

Once you register your concession card with your electricity retailer, the LIHR is applied automatically. You do not need to reapply each year, but you must keep your card details up to date with your retailer.

Source:
, as of April 2026.

NSW Gas Rebate

If you use reticulated (piped) natural gas and hold an eligible concession card, you may also qualify for the NSW Gas Rebate — a separate rebate applied to your gas bill.

Key details:

• Amount: $110 per year *(Source: NSW Government / Service NSW, 2025-26 rates)*

• Payment method: Applied as a credit to your gas account

• Limit: One per household

Who Is Eligible?

The eligibility criteria are the same as the LIHR:

• Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)

• Health Care Card (HCC)

• DVA Gold Card

• DVA TPI Card

You must have a gas account in your name at your principal place of residence. If you use bottled LPG rather than piped gas, this rebate does not apply.

How It Works

Register your concession card with your gas retailer (which may be a different company from your electricity retailer). The credit is applied automatically once registered.

Source:
, as of April 2026.

Family Energy Rebate

The Family Energy Rebate is designed to help families with the cost of electricity. It is separate from the LIHR and is available to families receiving Family Tax Benefit (FTB).

Key details:

• Amount: $180 per year *(Source: NSW Government / Service NSW, 2025-26 rates)*

• Payment method: Applied as a credit to your electricity account

• Limit: One per household

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible if:

• You are the electricity account holder (or spouse/partner of the account holder)

• You receive Family Tax Benefit (Part A or Part B) from Centrelink

• You have dependent children living at the address

This rebate is available regardless of whether you hold a concession card. It is specifically for families with children receiving FTB.

Can You Stack It with Other Rebates?

Yes. The Family Energy Rebate is separate from the LIHR and Gas Rebate. If you hold a concession card and also receive FTB, you may be eligible for both the LIHR ($285) and the Family Energy Rebate ($180), totalling $465 per year on electricity alone.

Source:
, as of April 2026.

Seniors Energy Rebate

The Seniors Energy Rebate is specifically for self-funded retirees who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) but do not qualify for the Low Income Household Rebate.

Key details:

• Amount: $200 per year *(Source: NSW Government / Service NSW, 2025-26 rates)*

• Payment method: Applied as a credit to your electricity account

• Limit: One per household

• Important: You cannot receive both the LIHR and the Seniors Energy Rebate — it is one or the other

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible if:

• You hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)

• You do not hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or DVA Gold Card (if you do, you would qualify for the LIHR instead)

• The electricity account is in your name at your principal place of residence in NSW

This rebate is designed for self-funded retirees who are above the pension income threshold but still hold a CSHC. The CSHC is available to Australians who have reached Age Pension age (currently 67) and meet certain income thresholds. For more details, see our
.

Source:
, as of April 2026.

Medical Energy Rebate

If you or a household member has a medical condition that requires the use of energy-intensive medical equipment or climate control at home, you may be eligible for the Medical Energy Rebate.

Key details:

• Amount: Up to $285 per year (retail customers) or $313.50 per year (embedded network customers)

• Eligibility: Requires a concession card (PCC, HCC, Low Income HCC, or DVA Gold Card) plus a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner who has been treating you for 3+ months, confirming you are unable to self-regulate body temperature

• Payment method: Applied as a credit to your electricity account

• Application closes: 30 June each year for the current financial year

Conditions That May Qualify

The NSW Government does not publish an exhaustive list, but conditions that may qualify include those requiring:

• Heating or cooling equipment for temperature-sensitive medical conditions

• Oxygen concentrators or nebulisers

• Powered mobility equipment that requires regular charging

• Other energy-intensive medical equipment prescribed by a medical practitioner

How to Apply

1. Obtain a medical certificate from your registered medical practitioner confirming your condition and the type of equipment used at home

2. Contact your electricity retailer and provide the medical certificate

3. The retailer will process the rebate and apply it to your account

Source:
, 2025-26 financial year.

Life Support Energy Rebate

Households where a person uses life support equipment that requires electricity may be eligible for the Life Support Energy Rebate. This rebate recognises the significant energy consumption of life support machines.

Key details:

• Amount: Up to $1,343.20 per year (retail customers) or $1,477.52 per year (embedded network), depending on equipment type and hours of use

• Eligibility: Requires medical certification that approved life support equipment is used at the premises

• Concession card not required: Based on medical need, not income or card status

• Reapplication: Every 4 years

• Additional protections: Registering as a life support customer with your retailer means they must provide advance notice of planned outages and cannot disconnect your supply for non-payment without following specific safeguards

Equipment That May Qualify

• Oxygen concentrators

• Ventilators / respirators

• Kidney dialysis machines

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines

• Other equipment as certified by a medical practitioner

How to Apply

1. Obtain certification from your registered medical practitioner confirming the life support equipment used at home

2. Contact your electricity retailer — they will have a specific life support registration form

3. Complete the retailer's registration process

It is essential to register with your retailer even if you do not need the rebate, as life support registration provides important disconnection protections under NSW energy rules.

Source:
, IPART, as of April 2026.

EAPA — Energy Accounts Payment Assistance

EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) is a crisis support programme for NSW households experiencing financial hardship. Unlike the rebates above, EAPA is not an ongoing concession — it provides one-off emergency vouchers to help pay overdue energy bills.

Key details:

• Amount: Up to $800 per year in total *(Source: NSW Government / Service NSW, 2025-26)*

• Voucher size: $50 per voucher

• Not means-tested in the traditional sense: Available to any household experiencing genuine financial hardship, regardless of card status

• Accessed through: Community organisations, not your energy retailer

How EAPA Works

EAPA vouchers are distributed by approved community organisations, such as:

• The Salvation Army

• St Vincent de Paul Society

• Anglicare

• Smith Family

• Neighbourhood centres and community aid organisations

These organisations assess your situation and issue vouchers accordingly. The vouchers are then applied directly to your energy account by the organisation or your retailer.

How to Access EAPA

1. Contact an approved EAPA provider in your area — you can find a provider through
or by calling the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) on 1800 246 545

2. Bring your energy bill and any supporting documentation showing your financial situation

3. The organisation will assess your eligibility and issue vouchers if appropriate

4. Vouchers are applied to your energy account — you do not receive cash

Important Notes

• EAPA is a last resort — providers may also help you access other support, including payment plans, hardship programmes offered by your retailer, or referrals to financial counselling

• You can access EAPA even if you are already receiving other rebates (LIHR, Gas Rebate, etc.)

• The $800 annual cap applies per household across all EAPA providers

Source:
, as of April 2026.

Stacking Rebates: What a NSW Household Could Receive

One of the most important things to know about NSW energy rebates is that several can be combined. Here are a few examples of how rebates may stack for different household types:

Example 1: Pensioner Concession Card Holder with Gas

Example 2: Family Receiving FTB with a Concession Card

Example 3: Self-Funded Retiree with CSHC

Note: The Seniors Energy Rebate cannot be combined with the LIHR. If you hold both a CSHC and a PCC, you would receive the LIHR ($285) instead, as it is the higher amount.

These are estimated annual totals based on published NSW Government rates. Actual amounts may vary. Additional medical or life support rebates may also apply depending on your circumstances.

How to Apply for NSW Energy Rebates

Most Rebates Are Automatic

For the LIHR, Gas Rebate, Family Energy Rebate, and Seniors Energy Rebate, the process is straightforward:

1. Contact your energy retailer (your electricity retailer for electricity rebates, your gas retailer for the gas rebate)

2. Provide your concession card or FTB details — card type, number, and the name on the card

3. Confirm your residential address — the account must be at your principal place of residence in NSW

4. The rebate will be applied to your next billing cycle and continue automatically

Most retailers allow you to register online through your account portal, by phone, or in person.

Medical and Life Support Rebates Require Documentation

For the Medical Energy Rebate and Life Support Energy Rebate:

1. Obtain a medical certificate from your registered medical practitioner

2. Submit it to your electricity retailer along with the relevant application form

3. The rebate is applied once your retailer processes the documentation

EAPA Requires a Community Organisation

EAPA vouchers cannot be obtained from your retailer. You must contact an
in your area.

Important Reminders

• If your concession card is renewed or reissued with a new number, update your retailer immediately to avoid your rebate being suspended

• If you switch energy retailers, you will need to re-register your concession card or medical documentation with the new provider

• If you move address, contact your retailer to transfer the concession to your new account

Tips to Maximise Your Energy Savings in NSW

1. Check You Are Receiving All Eligible Rebates

Many NSW households qualify for more than one rebate but only receive one. Review your electricity and gas bills — look for concession line items. If you think a rebate is missing, contact your retailer or
on 13 77 88.

2. Combine Rebates with a Competitive Energy Plan

Rebates reduce your bill, but they are applied on top of whatever energy plan you are on. If your underlying plan is expensive, you may still be paying more than necessary. According to the ACCC, approximately 73% of energy customers are not on the most competitive plan available to them (Source: ACCC Inquiry into the National Electricity Market, 2023).

You can
to see estimated annual costs across available retailers in your distribution area — with zero commission.

3. Keep Your Card Details Up to Date

Concession cards expire and get reissued. If your retailer does not have your current card details, your rebate may be paused or removed. Set a reminder to check this whenever your card is renewed.

Related Benefits and Resources

If you are exploring NSW energy rebates, you may also find these guides useful:

•
— the pension that underlies Pensioner Concession Card eligibility

•
— concessions available for self-funded retirees

•
— if you are comparing state rebates or considering a move

•
— see estimated costs for your area and usage, free and zero-commission

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for NSW energy rebates every year?

No. Once you have registered your concession card or FTB details with your energy retailer, the rebate is applied automatically and continues for as long as you remain eligible. You do not need to reapply each year. However, if your card is reissued with a new number, you change retailers, or you move address, you will need to re-register.

Can I receive both the Low Income Household Rebate and the Seniors Energy Rebate?

No. The Seniors Energy Rebate is specifically for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders who do not qualify for the LIHR. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or DVA Gold Card, you would receive the LIHR ($285/yr) instead of the Seniors Energy Rebate ($200/yr).

What if I am renting — can I still get energy rebates?

Yes, provided the energy account is in your name and the address is your principal place of residence in NSW. If your electricity or gas is included in your rent (i.e., you do not have a separate account), you may not be able to receive the rebate directly. Contact
on 13 77 88 for guidance on your specific arrangement.

Can I get EAPA vouchers if I already receive the LIHR?

Yes. EAPA is separate from ongoing concession rebates. Even if you are already receiving the LIHR, Gas Rebate, or Family Energy Rebate, you can still access EAPA vouchers through an approved community organisation if you are experiencing financial hardship. The maximum is $800 per year across all EAPA providers.

How do I find out which rebates I am currently receiving?

Check your electricity and gas bills — concession credits should appear as separate line items. If you are unsure, contact your energy retailer and ask them to confirm which rebates are applied to your account. You can also contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 for assistance.

Also from July: the AEMC is proposing to ban the energy loyalty tax — same plan, same price for all customers.

Compare energy plans and see available rebates at
— free, zero-commission energy comparison for Australian households.

Disclaimer: General information only, not personal financial advice. Rebate amounts are current as of April 2026, subject to change. Eligibility criteria and government programmes may be updated without notice. Always verify with
(13 77 88), your energy retailer, or IPART for the most current information. Internest does not administer government concessions.