The life support equipment energy subsidy is provided to assist eligible persons 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.
It is currently taking 4-6 weeks to process new applications and renewals. We will contact you if we need more information and when your application or renewal has been processed.
Complete the change of bank details form to update the account nominated for receiving the subsidy.
If the nominated bank account details provided are incorrect resulting in payment to an incorrect account, RevenueWA will attempt to recover the funds. If recovery is unsuccessful, you will not be entitled to a duplicate payment.
You must keep your postal, email and residential address up to date to ensure you receive notifications about the subsidy, including annual renewal letters.
Contact us to update your details.
Eligibility
Show moreThe patient must be dependent on specified life support equipment used in their home under specialist medical advice.
To apply, you must:
- be either the patient who requires the equipment for their own use, or be the guardian or primary caregiver of a person who uses the energy for life support equipment in their own home, and
- hold one of the following means-tested concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card (issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
- Health Care Card (not including the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) or
- Health Care Interim Voucher.
Specified equipment
Show moreSpecified 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 equipment and the amount of the annual subsidy per item. Equipment not listed in this table is not covered under this scheme.
| Specified equipment | Annual subsidy |
|---|---|
| Apnoea monitor (child only) | $289 |
| 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 | $503 |
| Feeding pump | $172 |
| Heart pump | $454 |
| Machine assisted peritoneal dialysis equipment | $106 |
| 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 | $55 |
| Oxygen concentrator (adult - standard capacity) | $960 |
| Oxygen concentrator (adult - high capacity ‘New Life Intensity’) | $1,386 |
| Oxygen concentrator (child) | $1,440 |
| Suction pump | $228 |
| Ventilator - VPAP or BPAP machines | $503 |
How to apply
Show moreIt’s fastest and easiest to use the online application form.
If you already have an Online Services Portal account, apply online.
For information about applying online or setting up an account, see the Energy Subsidy Schemes Portal Guide.
The doctor or specialist will be emailed to complete the medical authorisation form. Once completed, the application will be automatically submitted to RevenueWA.
If you’re unable to apply online, apply using the paper-based application form. The doctor or specialist must complete the medical authorisation section of the application form before it can be submitted.
If the application is approved, payment will be made to the nominated bank account within 10 working days of approval.
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 request a review of the decision.
Renewing your application
Show moreYou must renew the application each year before your anniversary date, which is the same date the initial application was lodged.
If you applied through the Online Services Portal or have subscribed to receive renewals by email, we will send an email to let you know your application is due for renewal. You can then log in to your account to renew the application.
If you are not subscribed, we will send a renewal letter to the nominated postal address. Subscribe via the online services portal to receive renewal and recertification letters by email. If you receive a paper notice, you can attach the completed form to a web enquiry or send it to us by post.
If your application is not renewed by your anniversary date, the subsidy will automatically be cancelled and you will need to re-apply.
If the patient has been prescribed additional or upgraded equipment, a recertification form must be completed by an authorised medical practitioner and submitted so we can assess your eligibility for the new subsidy amount. Contact us to request a recertification form.
Recertifying your application
Show moreEvery three years, the patient’s specified equipment must be recertified to confirm ongoing eligibility for the subsidy.
If the condition is temporary or not considered enduring, the recertification must be completed by an authorised medical practitioner (as currently required under the Scheme).
The recertification can be completed by a general practitioner if:
- an authorised medical practitioner has confirmed that the person’s condition is enduring and that the person will have an enduring need for life support equipment to manage the condition and
- the GP confirms they have sighted the specialist report certifying the enduring need for life support equipment.
These conditions only apply to recertification. Patients will still need to complete their initial certification with an authorised medical practitioner.
Energy supply outages - special needs customers
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:
