Has energy bill relief ended? What help is available in the ACT and NSW?

Look at the credits on your latest bill and the earlier bill where the payment appeared. Write down the payment’s name and date. That will help you distinguish the ended federal payment from a continuing concession or another account credit.

What happened to the federal energy bill payment?

The final extension covered 1 July to 31 December 2025. Households could receive up to $150, generally applied automatically in two $75 instalments. These are past payments. Do not include another payment from that ended program in a budget for your next bill. Read the Australian Government’s current status (opens in a new tab).

What bill support can I check in the ACT?

The ACT Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate provides $800 for a fully eligible 2026–27 financial year. It is credited to the electricity account using daily rates, so the amount on one bill depends on the days you qualify. The rebate requires an accepted concession card and matching account details.

Put your card beside the latest bill and check the name and address. Then use the ACT eligibility and application route (opens in a new tab). If a building or site operator bills you through an embedded network, check the separate route. A home in Queanbeyan follows NSW rules even when the retailer also serves Canberra.

What bill support can I check in NSW?

For 2026–27, eligible retail customers can check the Low Income Household Rebate of up to $285 a year, the Gas Rebate of up to $110, and separate Family, Seniors, Medical and Life Support rebates. Each has its own eligibility test. Some amounts and application routes differ for embedded networks.

The amounts do not all add together. Start with the Low Income Household Rebate (opens in a new tab) and Gas Rebate (opens in a new tab) if you hold a concession card. A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card uses the Seniors Energy Rebate (opens in a new tab) route. Families can check the Family Energy Rebate (opens in a new tab) and its application deadline.

What if I cannot pay my bill now?

If the bill is from us, contact us while you check rebates. Our Staying Connected program (opens in a new tab) provides a route to payment support. If you buy energy elsewhere, ask your retailer about help with its bill. NSW residents can also check Energy Accounts Payment Assistance for assessed help with an unpaid electricity or natural-gas bill during short-term hardship or a crisis.

Could a missing payment explain my higher bill?

Compare the credits by name, amount and date. A reduced or missing credit can increase the amount due even when daily electricity use is similar. Also check billing days and rates, so you can ask the retailer about each change. The ended federal payment and a continuing concession rebate should be checked separately.

If the bill is due before an application can be assessed, contact your retailer about payment arrangements now. Tell the team which credit you are checking and when payment is due. You can work through the bill query and ask for payment help at the same time.

What can I check on my next bill?

• Look for the name and date of any rebate or credit already applied.
• Check that the account and concession details are current and match.
• Ask your retailer about a credit you expected but cannot find. Have the relevant program name and bill ready.
• If a payment is due before an application can be assessed, contact your retailer about payment support now.

Related advice: ACT energy rebates: what help can I get? · NSW energy rebates: what help can I get?

Get help checking a credit or paying a bill

Use our concessions and rebates information (opens in a new tab) to check the support that may apply to an ActewAGL account. Our bill extension page (opens in a new tab) and Staying Connected program (opens in a new tab) explain the payment-help routes. If another retailer holds your account, contact it about credits and payment arrangements.

Call 13 14 93 to ask about a credit on your ActewAGL bill. Have the bill and the name of the payment you expected ready. If paying our bill is difficult, call 1300 138 574 while the credit is checked. If another retailer holds the account, ask its team about the credit and payment support; you can still use the ACT and NSW guidance above.

Get help paying your ActewAGL bill (opens in a new tab)