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Energy rebates guide

Energy Rebates for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders

Self-funded retirees with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card miss out on some energy concessions, but not all. Here is where the card counts.

Checked against regulator sources, October 2026

Programs
9
compared here
States
4
with a program
Card
C'wealth Seniors Health Card
this guide
Checked
Oct 2026
official sources

What to know

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is held by many self-funded retirees who earn too much for the pension. It qualifies for energy help in NSW (the $200 Seniors Energy Rebate), South Australia, Western Australia and through the NT Concession Scheme.

It does not qualify for the main concession in Queensland, Victoria or the ACT, and WA's medical and life support subsidies exclude it. If you also hold a Pensioner Concession Card, use that instead.

Energy programs open to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders

Energy programs open to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, 2026-27
ProgramWhereWorth
Seniors Energy RebateNSW$200 a year
Energy Bill ConcessionSAUp to $291.27 a year
SA Concessions Energy Discount OfferSA20% off Origin's standard electricity charges
Medical Heating and Cooling ConcessionSA$291.27 a year
Cost of Living ConcessionSA$270.60 for 2026-27
Energy Assistance PaymentWA$377.14 a year
Air Conditioning RebateWA$78.98 a year
NT Electricity ConcessionNTUp to $1,200 a year
NT Concession Scheme membershipNTMembership opens the electricity concession and others
From official government sources, checked October 2026. Follow the links for full rules.

Rebates by state: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT, federal.

What each program requires

Seniors Energy Rebate (NSW)

  • You are named on the electricity account for your home.
  • You hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
  • You do not receive the Low Income Household Rebate.

Paid: Into your nominated bank account once approved. Full details.

Energy Bill Concession (SA)

  • You live at the property.
  • The energy account is in your name and you are listed first on the bill.
  • You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Low Income Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or an eligible Veteran Gold Card, or receive an eligible Centrelink payment such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy or ABSTUDY.

Paid: As a credit on your electricity bill for owners and private tenants. Residential park residents and people without a retailer bill get quarterly bank payments. Full details.

SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SA)

  • You already receive the South Australian Energy Bill Concession.
  • You are willing to take up an electricity, gas or LPG offer with Origin Energy.

Paid: As discounts on your Origin bills. Full details.

Medical Heating and Cooling Concession (SA)

  • You live at the address on the application.
  • You, or a child you are parent or guardian of, have a medical condition that is severely worsened by hot or cold weather, certified by a specialist or GP.
  • You use an air conditioner at that address for the medical heating or cooling.

Paid: As a yearly concession, in addition to the energy concession. Full details.

Cost of Living Concession (SA)

  • You live at the property, assessed on your circumstances on 1 July.
  • You hold an eligible card, receive an eligible Centrelink payment, or meet the low-income test.
  • Tenants must have a written rental agreement.

Paid: By bank transfer, between August and December each year. Full details.

Energy Assistance Payment (WA)

  • You or someone in your household holds a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or DVA Gold Card. A WA Seniors Card on its own does not qualify.
  • You are charged for your own electricity use, based on actual or estimated usage.
  • Tenants must have lived at the address, or have a lease, for at least three months.

Paid: As a credit on Synergy or Horizon Power bills, or by bank transfer from RevenueWA. Full details.

Air Conditioning Rebate (WA)

  • You are eligible for the Energy Assistance Payment.
  • You meet the additional conditions for the air conditioning rebate under the Energy Concession Extension Scheme, which are set out by your retailer or RevenueWA.

Paid: With the Energy Assistance Payment, as one amount. Full details.

NT Electricity Concession (NT)

  • You are a member of the NT Concession Scheme.
  • You are the primary account holder and financially responsible for the electricity account at your main residence.
  • Only one member per household can claim. Homes used for business are excluded.

Paid: As a discount on each bill until the yearly cap is reached, or as prepaid credit of $600 in January and July. Full details.

NT Concession Scheme membership (NT)

  • You have lived in the NT for at least 183 days of the financial year and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • You receive the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or single Parenting Payment, or hold an eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs card.

Paid: Members claim concessions on electricity, water and sewerage, council rates, vehicle registration and spectacles. Full details.

Common questions

In NSW, SA, WA and the NT, yes. Queensland, Victoria and the ACT do not accept it for their main electricity concession.

$200 a year through the Seniors Energy Rebate, paid into your bank account.

No. The Queensland Government lists it as ineligible, though the Queensland Seniors Card does qualify.

Sources

Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.