Energy Bill relief for Coasties

Energy bill relief is on its way to eligible Central Coast households and small businesses from 31 July 2023 under Labor’s Energy Bill Relief Fund.

2 August 2023

 

MOST eligible households - those with a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card, a DVA Gold Card or life support equipment who already receive a NSW electricity rebate from their energy retailer - will automatically receive a rebate on their bills starting from 31 July.

 

Eligible small businesses - who must be on a separately metered business tariff and consume less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year - will receive $650 of relief in the 2023-24 financial year.

 

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch says this targeted payment would be welcome news for households and businesses grappling with cost-of-living pressures.

 

“Times are tough out there. This program, these direct measures, are for people doing it toughest: our families, our low-income households, pensioners, self-funded retirees and small businesses. Many are needing the assistance of wide shoulders to bear the weight of the financial load," Ms Tesch said.

 

Ms Tesch is encouraging eligible people who won’t automatically receive the Energy Bill Relief to apply from 1 August 2023.

 

“I want every household and small business that is eligible, to get the support they are entitled to," she said.

 

“Eligible small businesses who are a retail customer don’t need to do anything. Energy retailers will automatically apply the energy bill relief to their electricity account (if eligible) from 31 July."

 

Eligible small businesses who are part of an embedded network (e.g. in a shopping centre) will be able to apply from October 2023.

 

Energy bill relief is also being provided to some people who are not eligible for existing NSW energy rebates. Customers who do not receive a NSW energy rebate but receive the Carer Allowance, or hold a Low Income Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card, will be contacted by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs from September with information about how to apply.

 

“The National Energy Bill Relief program is a responsible, targeted initiative by our government that will bring direct relief", Liesl Tesch said.

 

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid, says the Australian and New South Wales Governments are providing targeted energy relief for those that need it most.

 

“The Albanese Government understands that Australians are doing it tough,” Dr Reid said.

 

“In our recent federal budget, the government announced a range of targeted cost-of-living relief. This included energy bill relief that will assist around 1.6 million households in NSW.

 

“Eligible small businesses will also receive energy bill relief.

 

“The Albanese Government will continue to work alongside the Minns State Government to help ease the cost of living and provide targeted relief."

 

Owner and director of Spices29 restaurant in Woy Woy, Nelson Fernandes says the rebate is a practical support for Central Coast businesses.

 

"Every business is needing support at this time, with prices going up on many fronts - from vegetables, to dairy, to meat ... as well as interest rates. Our customers are feeling the pinch, too - they are thinking carefully before they are eating out. This energy bill relief will help us sustain our business."

 

For more information on available energy relief payments, visit Energy Bill Relief.