Understanding the Energy Rebate NSW Program and Energy Bill Relief Fund
Keeping the lid on rising energy costs is a challenge but you’re not alone. Many households and businesses are facing the same challenges as prices continue to rise. However, thanks to NSW state government initiatives and the Federal Government’s energy rebate, NSW homes and businesses are receiving significant support this financial year to help reduce energy costs, and keep budgets on track.
In this post, I’ll explain what this energy rebate, or Energy Bill Relief Fund program is; who is eligible; and how to apply for it. I’ll also touch on some other energy saving options available to NSW home and small business owners.
What is the Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund Program?
The Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund Program aims to help ease the burden of high electricity bills for eligible households and small businesses across Australia. Those households will receive $300 in total, and eligible businesses $325.
The program is managed by local electricity companies, which apply the rebate directly to your energy bill. For most users, this rebate is applied automatically so there’s no need to worry about applying for it, or completing additional paperwork! However – there are a few exceptions to this in NSW, which I’ve outlined further down…
Understanding the Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund in NSW
Courtesy of various NSW State Government initiatives aimed at providing energy bill relief, NSW homes and businesses already benefit from a range of targeted state pensioner rebates. However, the Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund is a separate initiative with a much broader application, and applies nationally.
Indeed, thanks to this electricity rebate, Sydney and NSW home / small business owners across a far larger demographic can obtain financial relief from rising energy costs. Because – unlike state-based pensioner rebates, nearly all NSW home and small business owners are eligible.
The funding is being applied through a series of rebates on energy bills.
How the National Energy Bill Relief NSW Works
If you qualify for the 2024/25 rebates, a discount will be applied to your electricity bill in 4 quarterly instalments over the course of this financial year. The first was applied at the end of July, and the second at the beginning of October. The remaining 2 are scheduled for January and April 2025.
Key Benefits of the Energy Bill Relief Fund
The national Energy Bill Relief Program benefits NSW households and small businesses in several ways. It provides:
- Direct financial relief by way of a direct discount on electricity bills
- Convenience because for most users, the rebate is automatically applied by energy providers so there’s no need for additional paperwork
- Broader support than pension-based rebates as nearly all households and small businesses across NSW are eligible
Who Is Eligible for the Federal Energy Rebate in NSW?
Most NSW households and many small businesses can get the Bill Relief rebate. The majority receive it automatically but there are a few exceptions based on individual circumstances. So – here’s how the eligibility criteria works:
Grid Connected Households
If your residence is directly connected to the local power grid, and you receive an electricity bill from your energy retailer, you are eligible for the rebate, and don’t need to take any further action. You’ll automatically receive the quarterly rebates on your power bill as outlined above
Embedded Network Households
If you live in an embedded network (i.e. caravan park, apartment building, retirement village etc), you’re still eligible but may need to apply for it depending on your circumstances. This mostly relates to whether or not you are:
- Currently receiving, or applying for, an *eligible NSW energy rebate for pensioners
- Eligible for, but NOT currently receiving or applying for, an *eligible NSW energy rebate for pensioners
- Currently receiving, or applying for, the NSW Senior’s Energy Rebate
- Not eligible for any of these rebates.
I’ll explain what you need to do to receive your Bill Relief payment later in the post.
* Eligible rebates as per the Energy NSW website are the:
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate, and
- Life Support Rebate
Small Businesses
If your business meets the following criteria, it is eligible for a Bill Relief payment:
- Has an active ABN
- Is the name on the electricity account or invoices
- Is on a separate metered business tariff
- Consumes less than 100MWh of electricity per annum
Where your business is connected directly to the grid, the Bill Relief payment will be applied automatically to the business’s electricity account in 4 quarterly instalments (see above for payment timeline).
If you are in an embedded network (i.e. shopping centre), you’ll need to apply for the payment. Applications close at 11:59pm on 30 June 2025 (AEST).
Do I Need to Apply for the Federal Energy Rebate, NSW?
As stated above, eligible households and small businesses connected directly to the power grid will have the Bill Relief payment applied automatically to your energy account.
Embedded Network Households and Applying for the Bill Relief Payment
For those in embedded networks, there are some additional conditions and procedures in place so you may need to apply for the payment.
- If you currently receive or have applied for one of the above eligible NSW pensioner energy rebates, you will receive the Bill Relief payment automatically.
- If you qualify for but are NOT currently receiving or applying for any of the eligible NSW rebates, you’ll have to apply for your Bill Relief payment because it’s not an automatic process in those circumstances.
- Senior’s Energy Rebate – if you don’t qualify for one of the above rebates but do qualify for the Senior’s Energy Rebate, the conditions are slightly different again.
First, you must either apply for the rebate, OR be currently receiving it. Then you’ll have to apply separately for the Bill Relief payment since it’s not automatic for this particular rebate.
**NB: if you’re eligible for this rebate but don’t want to apply for it, see point 4 below.
- If you don’t qualify for an eligible NSW energy rebate or the Senior’s Energy Rebate (**or in the case of the latter, are eligible but don’t want to apply for it), you’ll need to specifically apply for the Bill Relief payment.
Small Businesses
Eligible grid-connected small businesses will receive the payment automatically. Those in embedded networks must apply for it.
IMPORTANT: All applications close at 11:59pm on 30 June 2025 (AEST).
So – to confirm:
Current Rebate Status | Action Required |
Receiving or applying for eligible NSW energy rebates | Automatic payment |
Eligible but not receiving or applying for eligible NSW energy rebates | Not automatic – apply for Bill Relief payment |
Not eligible for eligible NSW pensioner rebates but eligible for Senior’s Energy Rebate | Not automatic. Apply for Senior’s Energy Rebate, then apply for Bill Relief payment |
Not eligible for any eligible NSW energy rebate or Senior’s Energy Rebate (or eligible for Senior’s Energy Rebate but not wanting to apply) | Not automatic – apply for Bill Relief payment |
Small Businesses | |
Grid-connected | Automatic payment |
Embedded network | Not automatic – apply for Bill Relief payment |
Additional Ways You Can Save on Energy Bills in NSW
Beyond the Energy Bill Relief Fund or a NSW energy rebate for pensioners, there are other government options available in NSW to help you save on energy costs. These include the
The ESS Air Conditioning Rebate in NSW
Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy use. To help you do this, the NSW state government provides household and business rebates via the NSW Energy Saving Scheme (ESS).
In particular, the ESS offers rebates to households that upgrade their air conditioning systems to modern energy-efficient models. These units can lower your energy consumption, and your power bills, by as much as 50%!
If you are considering upgrading your air conditioning system, why not take advantage of the ESS air conditioning rebate in NSW. Find out more about this rebate and how we can help you here.
ESS Free Heat Pump Upgrade for NSW Businesses
Business owners in NSW can also benefit from energy savings by upgrading to energy-efficient hot water systems. The NSW government currently provides free heat pump upgrades for eligible businesses, and these will significantly reduce your energy costs.
Heat pumps are far more efficient than traditional electric and gas hot water systems, use less energy, and provide consistent hot water minus those scary energy bills. If you’re a NSW business owner, now is your chance to upgrade to a heat pump system at no upfront cost.
Why not check out our free heat pump upgrade program for businesses in NSW here.
Final Thoughts About The Federal Energy Rebate, NSW
The Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund program provides automatic Bill Relief payments to help households and small businesses offset the rising cost of energy bills. The payments are administered by local electricity companies, and applied directly to your energy bill. In NSW, they are paid in quarterly instalments starting at the end of July 2024.
Other incentives for NSW home and business owners include air-conditioning rebates and heat pump upgrades. Contact us here at Efficient Energy Group to explore your options lowering your energy costs.
The Federal Energy Rebate, NSW
Check if your suburb qualifies
Check Your Eligibility Now
Enter your details to check your eligibility.