Energy bill relief for households - Western Australia

The Australian Government and WA Government are delivering support through the Energy Bill Relief Fund to eligible households. The WA Government has expanded on this support to all households through its cost-of-living support package.

All Western Australian households will get help with their energy bills from 1 July 2023.

The WA Government is administering the bill relief.

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How much you can get

Households eligible for the WA Energy Concession Extension Scheme (ECES) or the Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) in WA on the 9 May 2023 can get up to $500 in bill relief. This is in addition to your ECES or EAP payments.

All other households can get up to $400 in bill relief.

Who can get it

You must be the electricity account holder for your principal place of residence to receive the bill relief. If you are eligible and are not named on the bill for your household but you pay for electricity, contact your electricity provider to add your name to the account.

Your household can only receive one bill relief credit in the 2023–24 financial year, even if more than one eligible person lives in the household.

If you are an Energy Assistance Payment customer with Synergy or Horizon Power

If you have an eligible account and were getting the EAP on or before 9 May 2023, you will receive a $500 offset. This will be paid over 2 instalments of $250, with the first payment being made from 8 July 2023 and the second payment from 2 December 2023.

Synergy customers who open an eligible account after 9 May 2023 but before 23 November 2023 will only be eligible for the second payment from 2 December 2023.

Horizon Power customers who open an eligible account after 9 May 2023 but before 23 November 2023 will only be eligible for the second payment from 2 December 2023.

Find out more at the Horizon Power website or Synergy website.

If you received the Energy Assistance Payment under the Energy Concession Extension Scheme on or before 9 May 2023

If you are not directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power and were registered for the EAP under the ECES on or before 9 May 2023, you will automatically get $500 of bill relief paid from 14 July 2023. This is in addition to your annual Energy Assistance Payment.

Find out more about eligibility for the Energy Concession Extension Scheme.

If you were eligible for the Energy Assistance Payment under the Energy Concession Extension Scheme but are not registered for it

If you hold one of the cards below and are not directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power, you may be eligible for the EAP under the ECES. Register for the scheme to receive your annual EAP. You will also receive $500 in bill relief if you met the ECES criteria as at 9 May 2023 and apply before 30 November 2023. 

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Health Care Cards (including Low Income Health Care Card)
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold Cards.

See the WA Government’s website for more information on eligibility and how you can apply.

All other households

If you are a Synergy or Horizon Power customer you do not need to apply for the $400 payment, your account will be automatically identified by your retailer if eligible.

If you are not a Synergy or Horizon Power customer, visit the WA Government website for more information on eligibility and how you can apply. You need to apply by 30 November 2023 (non-Synergy and Horizon Power customers).

If you live in an embedded network

If you live in an embedded network and your household is eligible for the bill relief, you will not automatically receive bill relief but will be able to access a direct payment through your state government.

Typically, you live in an embedded network if you are invoiced for your electricity usage from your strata manager such as in an apartment complex or from your landlord in a caravan park or retirement village.

Households supplied with their electricity by mining companies or alternative energy retailers may also be eligible to apply for an equivalent payment.

Find out more about how to apply at WA Government website

Contact

Administered by: Government of Western Australia

Website: Household electricity credit - WA Government

Phone: If you are directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power, please contact your retailer to discuss your eligibility for the Energy Assistance Payment.

• Contact Synergy on 13 13 53 or go to the Synergy website.
• Contact Horizon Power 1800 267 926 or go to the Horizon Power website.
• Contact the Department of Finance (08) 9262 1165 if you live in an embedded network or are an EAP or ECES customer not directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power.