The life support equipment energy subsidy is provided to assist financially disadvantaged persons, or their dependants, to meet the energy costs associated with operating life support equipment in their home under specialist medical advice.
Subsidy payments are made directly into a bank account nominated by the applicant. If you need to change your nominated account, complete the change of bank details form.
Before you submit your application, make sure the bank details you have provided are correct. If the payment is made to the wrong bank account, it may not be possible to get it back.
Eligibility
Show moreThe patient must be dependent on specified life support equipment used in their home under specialist medical advice.
The applicant may be either:
- the patient who requires the specified life support equipment for their own use or
- the guardian or primary caregiver of a person who utilises the energy for life support equipment in their own home.
The patient or the guardian/primary caregiver must be the holder of a Pensioner Concession Card (issued by either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs), Health Care Card (not including the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) or Health Care Interim Voucher.
RevenueWA will require the applicant’s authorisation to confirm the status of the concession card with Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
If the applicant is a child or an adult who is unable to sign the application form due to age or disability, the guardian or primary caregiver may sign the form on their behalf as long as the reason for doing so is noted on the application form.
Specified equipment
Show moreApplicable specified equipment must be prescribed by an authorised medical practitioner (see ‘Medical authorisation’ above) and must be operated at the applicant’s home address.
The following table lists the specified life support equipment and the amount of the annual subsidy that is applicable per item of equipment from 1 July 2023. Equipment not listed in this table is not covered under this scheme.
| Specified equipment | Annual Subsidy |
|---|---|
| Oxygen concentrator (adult - standard capacity) | $937 |
| Oxygen concentrator (adult - high capacity ‘New Life Intensity’) | $1,352 |
| Oxygen concentrator (child) | $1,405 |
| Feeding pump | $168 |
| Suction pump | $222 |
| Apnoea monitor (child only) | $282 |
| Heart pump | $443 |
| Nebuliser Adult - only when a tracheostomy is expected to be in place for more than 6 months and nebulised therapy is required for life support purposes Child - only when used every day for 1-2 hours per day |
$54 |
| Machine assisted peritoneal dialysis equipment | $103 |
| Ventilator - VPAP or BPAP machines | $491 |
| CPAP machine Adult - only when clinically prescribed for adults with obesity hypoventilation syndrome, tracheomalacia, obstructive sleep apnoea with sleep hypoventilation, or other life threatening disease as determined by a specialist with usage over four hours per night Child - only when prescribed for severe obstructive sleep apnoea, tracheomalacia or other life threatening disease as determined by the treating specialist |
$491 |
How to apply
Show moreThe easiest way to apply is by completing the online form. To apply online, see the Energy Subsidy Schemes Portal Guide.
If you would rather apply using the paper-based ‘Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy Application Form’, make sure:
- the form is completed in full, and the authorisation and declaration is signed by the applicant and patient (as applicable) and
- the medical authorisation is completed in full by an authorised medical practitioner and
- you submit your completed application form to us by attaching it to a web enquiry or sending it to us by post.
If the subsidy is approved, payment will be made via electronic transfer into the nominated bank account within 10 working days.
If the patient lives in supported accommodation such as a nursing home, permanent caravan park home or similar, you must provide a copy of an invoice or similar document showing that the applicant is individually billed and pays for measured energy usage.
RevenueWA has the right to decline an application (or require repayment of any subsidy already paid) if the Commissioner is of the reasonable opinion that false or misleading information has been provided, or if the eligibility criteria have not been met. Applicants may seek review of such a decision.
Renewing your application
Show moreApplications for the subsidy must be renewed annually and any changes to the patient’s circumstances or application details must be provided. You must immediately notify us if the applicant’s postal, email and/or residential address changes to ensure the renewal letter is received.
Every three years the patient’s specified life support equipment will need to be recertified by the authorised medical specialist to confirm ongoing eligibility for the subsidy.
Applicants will receive a renewal notification each year before the anniversary date of the application.
If you made the initial application through the Online Services Portal or have subscribed to receive renewals by email, you will receive the renewal notification to complete the online form through the Online Services Portal.
If you receive a paper notice, you can attach the completed form to a web enquiry or send it to us by post.
Energy supply outages
Show moreKeeping you safely connected to the electricity supply at all times is vital. If you have not already done so, it is essential that you contact your electricity retailer to register as a Life Support customer as soon as possible.
Details can be found on your electricity retailer’s website or by phoning them directly:
