Victoria Energy Rebate 2026: Power Saving Bonus, Concessions & How to Apply
Complete guide to Victorian energy rebates in 2026. Annual Electricity Concession, gas concession, Power Saving Bonus, medical cooling, and how to claim each one.
Overview of Victorian Energy Concessions
Victoria offers some of the most generous energy concessions in Australia. The main programs are the Annual Electricity Concession, the Mains Gas Concession (or Bottled Gas Concession), the Controlled Load Electricity Concession, the Medical Cooling Concession, the Life Support Concession, and the Power Saving Bonus when available. Combined, eligible Victorians can receive over $600 per year in energy bill reductions. Eligibility is based on holding a valid concession card — Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card. Unlike some other states, Victoria also offers a dedicated non-mains energy concession for people who use LPG or other off-grid energy sources. All concessions are managed through the Victorian Government's concession programs and applied directly to your energy bills.
Annual Electricity Concession — $230.65 Per Year
The Annual Electricity Concession is worth $230.65 per year (2025-26 rate) and is applied as a daily credit on your electricity bill — approximately 63 cents per day. To qualify, you must hold a PCC, HCC, or DVA Gold Card and be a residential electricity customer in Victoria. The account must be in your name (or your partner's name if they hold the card). You can only claim this concession on one property. To register, contact your electricity retailer with your concession card details. If you've recently received a new concession card, register immediately — the concession is not automatically applied. The concession is shown as a separate line item on your bill. If you're in a retirement village or embedded network where you don't have a direct retailer account, contact the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) on 1800 658 521 for assistance.
Gas Concessions — Mains and Bottled
The Winter Gas Concession is worth $69.83 per year and is applied to your gas bill during the winter months (May to October), covering the period when gas usage is typically highest due to heating. Like the electricity concession, you need a PCC, HCC, or DVA Gold Card. Register with your gas retailer by providing your concession card details. If you use bottled gas (LPG) instead of mains gas, you can claim the Non-Mains Energy Concession, which provides a rebate of $69.83 per year. You'll need to apply to the DFFH rather than a retailer, providing proof of your concession card and receipts for LPG purchases. This is particularly relevant for regional and rural Victorians not connected to the natural gas network. Contact DFFH on 1800 658 521 to apply for the bottled gas concession.
Power Saving Bonus
The Victorian Government has periodically offered the Power Saving Bonus — a one-off $250 payment to help with energy costs. When available, it's open to all Victorian households with a valid concession card, and sometimes to all households regardless of concession status. To check whether the Power Saving Bonus is currently open, visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au. When available, you can apply online through the Victorian Energy Compare website. You'll need to compare energy offers as part of the process, but you're not required to switch providers. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks and the payment is made directly to your bank account. The Power Saving Bonus has been offered multiple times since 2019 and the government has indicated it may continue to offer it during periods of high energy costs. Sign up for alerts on the Energy Compare website to be notified when new rounds open.
Medical Cooling and Life Support Concessions
The Medical Cooling Concession provides additional support of $230.65 per year for concession card holders who have a medical condition requiring cooling at home during summer. Eligible conditions include multiple sclerosis, lymphoedema, and other conditions that make temperature regulation difficult. You need a medical certificate from your doctor confirming the need for cooling equipment. The Life Support Concession is for Victorians who use approved life support equipment at home, such as oxygen concentrators, intermittent peritoneal dialysis machines, kidney dialysis machines, ventilators, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. The concession amount depends on the type of equipment but can exceed $1,000 per year. Register the equipment with your electricity retailer, who must also ensure your property is flagged as a life support address (meaning your power won't be disconnected for non-payment without special procedures).
Utility Relief Grant Scheme — For Those in Hardship
If you're struggling to pay energy or water bills, Victoria's Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) provides one-off grants of up to $650 per utility type to help pay overdue bills. You can access URGS once every two years for each utility type (electricity, gas, water). To qualify, you must be experiencing financial hardship due to a recent event (job loss, illness, family violence, natural disaster, or other unexpected circumstance). You don't need a concession card, but you do need to show that the hardship is temporary and that you're taking steps to manage your bills going forward. Apply through your energy retailer's hardship team or through a community organisation. The grant is paid directly to your utility provider, reducing your outstanding balance. This can prevent disconnection and help you get back on track. If your hardship is ongoing, your retailer must also offer you a payment plan.
Victorian Default Offer — Price Protection
Victoria has a regulated price called the Victorian Default Offer (VDO), which sets the maximum price retailers can charge on their standing offer. While market offers are often cheaper than the VDO, the VDO provides a safety net — if you've never switched providers, you're likely on the VDO and won't be paying more than the regulated maximum. However, you could probably save $200-$400 per year by switching to a competitive market offer. Use the Victorian Government's Energy Compare tool at compare.energy.vic.gov.au to see available offers in your area. When comparing plans, look at the total annual cost, not just the discount percentage — some plans offer big discounts off a high base rate that ends up costing more than a smaller discount off a lower base rate. Always ensure your concessions transfer when you switch retailers.
How to Claim All Victorian Energy Concessions
Step 1: Check you have a valid concession card (PCC, HCC, or DVA Gold Card). Step 2: Call your electricity retailer and register your concession card number. Ask for the Annual Electricity Concession and Controlled Load Concession (if applicable). Step 3: Call your gas retailer (if different) and register for the Winter Gas Concession. Step 4: If you use bottled gas, contact DFFH on 1800 658 521. Step 5: If you have a medical condition, get a doctor's certificate and apply for the Medical Cooling Concession through your retailer. Step 6: Check compare.energy.vic.gov.au for any current Power Saving Bonus offers. Step 7: If you're in financial hardship, ask your retailer about URGS. Step 8: While you're at it, compare energy plans — you might save hundreds by switching. Keep a record of your concession registrations and check each bill to confirm concessions are being applied correctly.
Try these free tools
Official resources
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
Related articles
Complete guide to NSW energy rebates and concessions in 2026. Low Income Household Rebate, Gas Rebate, Family Energy Rebate, and how to apply with your concession card.
Queensland Energy Rebate 2026: Electricity Rebate, Pensioner Discounts & MoreComplete guide to QLD energy rebates in 2026. Electricity Rebate, Retiree Electricity Subsidy, Medical Cooling Concession, and how to apply for each.
Pensioner Concession Card Discounts NSW 2026: Every Benefit You Can ClaimComplete list of Pensioner Concession Card discounts in New South Wales. Transport, rates, energy, health, and more — with dollar amounts and how to claim each one.
Pensioner Concession Card Discounts Victoria 2026: Complete Benefits ListEvery Pensioner Concession Card discount available in Victoria. Transport, rates, energy, health, and entertainment — with dollar amounts and how to claim.