The complete guide to WA energy concessions and rebates (2026)

WA has at least six energy concession programs, and roughly one in three eligible households never claims them. That's hundreds of dollars a year going unclaimed. The Energy Assistance Payment is $342.85/year (from 1 July 2025), for example, and it stacks with the Dependent Child Rebate, the Air Conditioning Rebate, and the Household Electricity Credit. Here's how each one works, and how to make sure it lands on your bill.

Government electricity credits

WA household electricity credit

Every so often the WA Government gives all Synergy residential customers an electricity credit.

• Amount: Varies by year — it has been $200–$400 per household.
• Eligibility: All Synergy residential account holders.
• How to claim: Applied automatically to your Synergy account, with no application needed.
• When: Usually announced in the state budget (May) and applied from 1 July.

Check your Synergy bill for a credit line item labelled "Government Electricity Credit" or similar.

Concession cards

Seniors Card concession

WA Seniors Card holders can get a rebate on their Synergy bills.

• Amount: A daily concession credit applied to each bill.
• Eligibility: WA Seniors Card holders.
• How to apply: Call Synergy on 13 13 53 with your Seniors Card number.
• Notes: One concession per account, and you must be the account holder.

Pensioner and Healthcare Card concession

Holders of Centrelink Pensioner Concession Cards and Health Care Cards get energy concessions too.

• Amount: A daily concession credit, usually higher than the Seniors Card one.
• Eligibility: Pension Concession Card or Health Care Card holders.
• How to apply: Contact Synergy with your card details.
• Notes: Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders may also qualify.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders

If you hold this card, you can access energy concessions similar to the Pensioner Concession Card.

• How to apply: Contact Synergy with your card number.

Hardship assistance

Synergy's hardship utility grant scheme (HUGS)

If you're struggling to pay your electricity bills, HUGS provides one-off grants.

• Amount: Up to $660 per grant.
• Eligibility: Residential customers in financial hardship.
• How to apply: Contact Synergy or a financial counsellor.
• Frequency: Generally available once every two years.
• Requirements: You need to have already talked to Synergy about your payment difficulties.

Payment extensions and plans

Before things reach hardship level, a few options can take the pressure off:

• Payment extension: Ask for extra time to pay.
• Instalment plan: Break your bill into smaller, regular payments.
• Bill smoothing: Pay a consistent amount each fortnight or month.

Contact Synergy's customer support to set any of these up.

No interest loans scheme (NILS)

For eligible low-income households, NILS offers interest-free loans for essential appliances, including energy-efficient replacements.

• Amount: Up to $2,000.
• Eligibility: Low-income households (Health Care Card holders).
• Use: Buying energy-efficient appliances such as fridges, washing machines, and hot water systems.
• How to apply: Through NILS network organisations.

Solar and energy efficiency rebates

Small-scale technology certificates (STCs)

When you install solar panels, you receive STCs that bring down the upfront cost. It's a federal scheme, but your installer handles it for you.

• Value: Typically $2,000–$4,000 for a standard residential system.
• How: Your installer claims the STCs and takes the value off your quote.
• No application needed: It's built into your solar installation quote.

Retailer energy efficiency programs (REES)

Some states require retailers to provide energy efficiency measures. WA's approach differs from the eastern states, so check with Synergy for any current efficiency programs.

Medical and life support equipment

Life support equipment concession

If you or someone in your household relies on life support or medical equipment:

• Eligibility: Registered medical equipment users.
• Benefit: Protection from disconnection, plus a possible concession.
• How to register: Notify Synergy and provide medical certification.
• Equipment types: Oxygen concentrators, dialysis machines, ventilators, and the like.

Air conditioning concession

Some medical conditions qualify for an air conditioning concession over summer.

• Eligibility: Specific medical conditions that need temperature control.
• How to apply: Through your healthcare provider and Synergy.
• Evidence required: A medical certificate.

Aboriginal community concessions

Aboriginal community energy program

The WA Government runs programs to improve energy efficiency in Aboriginal communities, including:

• Solar and battery installations.
• Energy efficiency upgrades.
• Energy literacy programs.

How to check your eligibility

A quick eligibility checklist

| Concession | Seniors Card | Pension Card | Health Care Card | All customers | |------------|-------------|--------------|------------------|---------------| | Electricity credit | - | - | - | Yes | | Daily concession | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | | HUGS grant | - | - | - | Hardship cases | | STC rebate (solar) | - | - | - | Yes | | Life support | - | - | - | Medical need |

How to claim your concessions

1. Gather your cards: Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Health Care Card.
2. Call Synergy: 13 13 53 — ask about every concession you might qualify for.
3. Provide your details: Card numbers, account details, and any medical certificates.
4. Check your next bill: Confirm the concession shows up as a credit line item.
5. Review each year: Concession amounts and eligibility criteria change over time.

Going further than concessions

Concessions help, but they're one piece of a bigger picture. Pair them with:

• Tariff optimisation — make sure you're on the cheapest plan for the way you use power.
• Solar panels & STCs — STCs can cut solar costs by thousands.
• Energy efficiency tips — small changes that bring your usage down.
• Bill analysis — upload your bill to find savings you might be missing.

For the full picture of what you could save — concessions, tariff switching, and technology upgrades together — upload your bill to BillWise.

More information

• WA energy concessions page — detail on all the WA schemes.
• Synergy customer support: 13 13 53.
• Financial Counselling Hotline: 1800 007 007 (free call).
• Department of Communities: for hardship and welfare enquiries.

Want your own numbers? Calculate your savings → — factor in concessions, rebates, and solar to see the full picture for your household.