Every energy rebate in Victoria
| Program | Worth | Type | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Electricity Concession | 17.5% off electricity usage and supply costs | Bill concession | 3 cards |
| Winter Gas Concession | 17.5% off gas usage and supply costs from 1 May to 31 October | Gas | 3 cards |
| Excess Electricity Concession | 17.5% on costs above $4,038.82 a year | Bill concession | 3 cards |
| Medical Cooling Concession | Extra 17.5% off from November to April | Medical cooling or heating | 3 cards |
| Life Support Concession | The cost of 1,880 kWh of electricity a year | Life support | 3 cards |
| Non-mains Energy Concession | $58 to $666 a year per energy type | Bill concession | 3 cards |
| Utility Relief Grant Scheme | Up to $650 per utility every two years | Emergency help | 3 cards |
| Victorian Energy Upgrades | Upfront discounts, up to $1,610 on reverse-cycle air conditioning | Upgrade discount | No card needed |
How energy rebates work in Victoria
The core concession is 17.5% off your electricity usage and supply charges for Pensioner Concession, Health Care and DVA Gold card holders. Medical cooling adds another 17.5% in summer, and very high users apply for the excess concession to keep the discount on the part of the bill above $4,038.82.
For crises, the Utility Relief Grant can clear up to $650 per utility every two years. Every household, concession or not, can also get upfront discounts on efficient appliances through Victorian Energy Upgrades. The Concessions Information Line is 1800 658 521.
For context, a home using 4,000 kWh a year on the regulated price pays roughly the amounts on our Victoria electricity rates page. Concessions are taken off that.
Who qualifies for each program
Annual Electricity Concession (VIC)
- You are the electricity account holder.
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card.
Paid: As a discount on every electricity bill. Full details.
Winter Gas Concession (VIC)
- You are the mains gas account holder.
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card.
Paid: As a discount on gas bills covering 1 May to 31 October. Full details.
Excess Electricity Concession (VIC)
- Your annual electricity costs are above $4,038.82, for the year starting 1 December 2025.
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card.
- The electricity is for domestic use, with no business run from the address.
Paid: As a discount on your electricity bill, backdated once approved. Full details.
Medical Cooling Concession (VIC)
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card and are the account holder.
- You, or someone in your household, has a medical condition that affects the body's ability to regulate temperature, confirmed by a doctor.
- Pre-approved conditions are multiple sclerosis, lymphoedema, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, post-polio syndrome and motor neurone disease. Other conditions are assessed by the department.
Paid: As a discount on electricity bills between 1 November and 30 April, on top of the Annual Electricity Concession. Full details.
Life Support Concession (VIC)
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card and are the electricity account holder.
- You, or someone in your household, uses an eligible machine: an intermittent peritoneal dialysis machine, an oxygen concentrator or a haemodialysis machine.
Paid: As a discount on your electricity bill. Full details.
Non-mains Energy Concession (VIC)
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card.
- You pay for non-mains energy: LPG, firewood, heating oil, generator fuel, or electricity through an embedded network.
- Firewood must be your only fixed heating. Generator fuel claims need the home to be off the mains grid.
Paid: As a yearly payment based on what you spent on each energy type. Full details.
Utility Relief Grant Scheme (VIC)
- You have an overdue mains electricity, gas or water bill because of a temporary financial crisis.
- You hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card, or are part of a low-income household.
- You cannot pay without help and are at risk of disconnection, and you have experienced family violence, a drop in income, high unexpected costs for essentials, or housing costs above 30% of your income.
Paid: To your retailer, which credits it against the amount you owe. Full details.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VIC)
- All Victorian households are eligible, whether you own, rent or invest.
- In most cases you need to replace an older appliance with an approved efficient model.
- Renters need landlord approval for some upgrades, such as heating and cooling.
Paid: As an upfront discount on the quote. You only pay the remaining amount. Full details.
How to claim
Check which programs fit
Use the table above, or the rebate finder, to see what matches your card and circumstances.
Have your details ready
Your concession card, your latest bill with the account number, and medical forms where needed.
Contact your retailer or apply online
Most bill concessions go through your retailer. Some programs are applied for online with the government.
Check your next bill
Make sure the concession appears. If it does not, call your retailer.
Struggling to pay?
Concessions take time. If you are behind now, ask your retailer about its hardship program and see our guide to emergency help with bills.
Common questions
The Annual Electricity Concession, Excess Electricity Concession, Medical Cooling Concession, Life Support Concession and Non-mains Energy Concession, plus the Utility Relief Grant for overdue bills.
No. The Annual Electricity Concession is 17.5% of your usage and supply charges, less a small daily threshold, so its value depends on your bill.
Your electricity retailer, or the Victorian Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
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.
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Annual electricity concession
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Winter gas concession
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Excess electricity concession
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Medical cooling concession
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Life Support Concession (electricity)
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Non-mains energy concession