📋 In this guide:

• Energy bill relief 2026: no automatic federal credit
• Federal Energy Bill Relief Fund ended 31 December 2025
• NSW Low Income Household Rebate offers up to $285 yearly
• SA concession holders can access a discounted energy offer
• Tesseract ZERO reduces how much grid electricity you import

If your power bill has looked bigger this year and you can’t quite work out why, you’re not alone. For a year and a half, most Australian households saw a federal rebate quietly reduce every bill. Where did that credit go? It ended. So what energy bill relief 2026 households can still get depends on where you live and your circumstances, and most of it won’t arrive automatically.

This guide explains what happened to the federal rebate, what support still exists in NSW and South Australia, and how to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

What Happened to the Federal Rebate?

The federal Energy Bill Relief Fund gave households $300 in 2024–25, credited in quarterly instalments from 1 July 2024. It was then extended with up to $150 more for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2025.

The fund ended on 31 December 2025. As consumer site EnergySorted puts it, there is no automatic federal credit on 2026 bills.

That’s why some households feel their bills jumped even though NSW benchmark prices actually fell on 1 July 2026. Nothing about their usage changed. The rebate simply stopped.

Support Still Available in NSW

Low Income Household Rebate. Eligible NSW households can receive up to $285 a year, credited on their electricity bills, according to the NSW Government. To qualify, you need to be named on the electricity account and hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card or Veteran Gold Card. Check the NSW Government’s energy rebates page for current criteria and amounts.

Other NSW rebates. The NSW Government offers several other energy rebates, including support for medical energy needs and emergency payment assistance. These usually require you to apply, either through your retailer or Service NSW.

Support Still Available in South Australia

Energy bill concessions. The SA Government offers energy bill concessions for eligible households. Check the concessions page on sa.gov.au for current amounts and eligibility.

A discounted offer for concession holders. The SA Department of Human Services announced in 2026 an agreement with Origin Energy offering eligible concession holders 20% off electricity usage and supply charges. The department says it’s available now, runs until at least 2029, and around 200,000 South Australians are eligible.

Help Every Household Can Use

Even without a concession card, you have options:

1. Ask your retailer about hardship support. Retailers in NSW and SA must offer help to customers struggling to pay, such as payment plans. Asking early is always better than waiting.
2. Check you’re not on a standing offer. Default plans can cost more than market offers. Compare on the government’s Energy Made Easy website.
3. Shift usage away from the evening peak. Peak grid rates can reach up to 56¢ per kWh, so moving washing, pool pumping or EV charging to midday helps.
4. Consider a Solar Sharer plan if you can use power between 11am and 2pm in NSW or 12pm and 3pm in SA.

Imagine a pensioner in Elizabeth who assumed her concession was applied automatically when she changed retailers. It wasn’t. She’d gone three quarters without it. One phone call fixed it going forward. Could the same thing have happened to you? If you’ve switched retailers recently, it’s worth checking your bill for the concession line.

Rebates Help. The Underlying Cost Still Matters.

Rebates are valuable, but they’re temporary and they depend on government budgets. The federal fund showed how quickly they can come and go. Meanwhile, ABS data shows electricity prices have risen about four times over in 20 years, roughly 7.5% a year.

That’s why it’s worth looking at the underlying cost of your energy, not only the credits on top. Our guides to why electricity is so expensive in Australia and how to read your electricity bill are good next steps.

How Is Tesseract ZERO Different?

Rebates reduce a bill for a while. Tesseract ZERO is a third way to energy that changes where your energy comes from. We install solar and battery technology at your home, own it and manage it, and your home generates and stores clean energy so it imports less electricity from the grid. You pay a fixed 28¢ per kWh for the clean energy your home uses, fixed for the 10-year agreement term, with $0 upfront and no system to finance.

For eligible households, typical customers may save up to 30% on their energy costs.

Based on the savings of a typical customer. Eligibility criteria apply. Savings vary based on household energy usage and location.

Learn more on the Tesseract ZERO page.

FAQ

Is there an energy rebate in 2026?

There is no automatic federal rebate in 2026. The Energy Bill Relief Fund ended on 31 December 2025. State rebates and concessions are still available for eligible households in NSW and SA, but most require you to apply.

How much is the NSW Low Income Household Rebate?

According to the NSW Government, eligible households can receive up to $285 a year, credited on their electricity bills. Check the NSW Government’s website for current eligibility.

What energy help is available in South Australia?

Eligible households can access SA Government energy bill concessions, and concession holders can access a discounted offer with 20% off electricity usage and supply charges under an agreement announced by SA’s Department of Human Services.

Conclusion

Energy bill relief 2026 looks very different from the previous 18 months. The federal credit has ended, and what remains is mostly state support that you need to claim. Check your eligibility, confirm any concession is applied after switching retailers, and look at the underlying cost of the energy you buy.

Want to see what’s behind your bill? Send us one power bill. No cost, no obligation — and if it isn’t a good fit, we’ll tell you. Contact us here.