Energy pricing for households
Payment support
Show moreThere is also separate financial assistance for concession card holders (see below).
Hardship Utility Grant Scheme
The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) is run by WA’s Department for Child Protection. HUGS is a State Government scheme which provides financial assistance to help people with financial difficulties pay their water, gas and electricity bills so their supply is not cut off.
If you are eligible, HUGS may pay up to 85% of your current electricity, gas or water bill direct to your retailer. You would still need to pay the other remaining amount.
For further information, visit Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) website
Financial Counselling
Financial counselling services are also available, delivered by the not for profit community service sector.
Services are free and act in the best interests of the client, free of any commercial benefit and conflict of interest.
For further information, visit the Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia website.
Payment Assistance
If you're experiencing difficulty paying your electricity bill, your retailer may be able to provide you with flexible payment arrangements. Your electricity retailer may also assist you with claiming any rebates you may be eligible for and putting you in touch with a financial counsellor.
More information can be found at:
Concession card holders
Show moreYou may be eligible for these concessions if you have one or more concession cards.
Concessions paid by retailers
These concessions are paid to eligible customers through the electricity retailers – Synergy and Horizon Power. Information on the value of concessions payments and how to apply is available on the retailers’ websites:
If you are not a customer of Synergy or Horizon Power, you may still be able to receive the Energy Assistance Payment, Dependent Child Rebate and/or Air-Conditioning Rebate through the Energy Concession Extension Scheme.
Energy Assistance Payment
The Energy Assistance Payment assists with the cost of energy (including electricity and gas) consumed in the home. It was previously known as the Cost of Living Assistance (CoLA) payment, but was renamed to provide a clearer description of the purpose of the concession.
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Permanent caravan park residents with one of these cards may also apply.
Dependent Child Rebate
The Dependent Child Rebate helps concession card holders with dependent children by assisting with energy costs.
You are eligible if you have any dependent children listed on one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Permanent caravan park residents with dependent children listed on one of these cards may also apply.
Air-Conditioning Rebate
A rebate to help eligible seniors and people with dependent children who live in the hottest parts of Western Australia with air conditioning costs.
In addition to living north of the 26th Parallel and/or north of the 50 Day Relative Strain Index line, you are eligible if you have the WA Seniors Card and either:
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, or
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
You are also eligible if you live in the defined locations and have dependent children and hold one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card.
Account Establishment Fee Rebate
About: Provides a rebate to cover the cost of establishing a new electricity account.
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veteran’s Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Reduced Meter Test Fee
Concession card holders are eligible for a reduced meter test fee if an electricity meter is believed to be providing faulty or inaccurate readings. The meter test fee is refunded if the meter is found to be faulty.
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Medical subsidies
RevenueWA within the Department of Finance provides two subsidies to help people with certain medical conditions in meeting energy costs:
