Tasmania's energy help is shaped by its climate: with long, cold winters, heating is a large part of the household energy bill, so the state's support leans towards ongoing daily concessions and heating-related allowances. The main everyday help is the Annual Electricity Concession, a per-day amount for eligible concession-card holders that is applied to your electricity account throughout the year, so it grows with the number of days you are billed.
Tasmania is part of the National Electricity Market and is connected to the mainland grid, but residential retail competition has historically been limited, with Aurora Energy the main residential retailer for most households. That means, as in a few other places, concessions carry more of the weight. Always confirm the current daily rate and eligibility on the Tasmanian Government or your retailer's site.
The main types of Tasmanian help
Annual Electricity Concession
A daily concession amount applied to the electricity accounts of eligible concession-card holders all year round.
Heating Allowance
Seasonal or targeted support recognising the high cost of heating a home through a cold Tasmanian winter.
Life Support Concession
Help for households running approved life-support equipment, covering some of the unavoidable extra electricity.
Medical cooling and heating support
Additional help for households where a person has a qualifying medical condition requiring extra climate control.
YourCare / hardship support
Retailer hardship programs offering payment plans and protection for customers who are struggling to pay.
Emergency assistance
One-off help for households facing a short-term financial crisis and at risk of disconnection.
How to claim in Tasmania
Confirm you hold an eligible card, such as a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card.
Give your concession card details to your electricity retailer so the daily Annual Electricity Concession is applied to each bill.
Check the Tasmanian Government and your retailer's site for any current heating allowance or seasonal support you qualify for.
For life-support or medical needs, lodge the relevant form with medical certification through your retailer.
If you fall behind, contact your retailer early about a hardship program and any emergency assistance before disconnection.
Getting the most out of every bill
In a cold state where winter heating costs spike, the daily concession and any heating allowance are genuinely valuable, but they still sit on top of your plan's rates. Making sure you are on the most efficient tariff for your usage pattern (for example, taking advantage of any off-peak or controlled-load tariffs) can matter as much as the concession itself.
EnergySorted is independent and takes no retailer commissions. Where you have a genuine choice of plan or tariff it compares every offer against your real usage, and it tracks your bills over time with a Bill Health Score so you can see whether your plan is still working for you. Claim every concession and allowance you are entitled to, and use the comparison to make sure the plan beneath them is as efficient as possible for a Tasmanian winter.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Tasmanian electricity concession calculated?
It is generally a daily amount applied to your electricity account for eligible concession-card holders, so it adds up across the days in each billing period. Confirm the current daily rate on the Tasmanian Government or retailer site.
Is there specific help with heating costs?
Yes. Because Tasmanian winters are cold and heating dominates bills, the state has offered heating-related allowances and seasonal support. Check what is currently available, as these can change year to year.
Can I choose my electricity retailer in Tasmania?
Tasmania is part of the National Electricity Market, but residential retail competition has been limited, with Aurora Energy the main residential retailer for most households. Where you do have tariff or plan choices, comparing still helps.
Is there help for life-support or medical energy needs?
Yes. Tasmania offers a Life Support Concession for approved equipment and support where a medical condition requires extra heating or cooling. Both require medical certification, lodged through your retailer.
What should I do if I am struggling to pay?
Contact your retailer early about a hardship program and any emergency assistance. Acting before your account falls into serious arrears gives you the most options and keeps you protected from disconnection.
Where do I confirm the current amounts?
On the official Tasmanian Government concessions pages and your retailer's website. The daily rate, heating allowance and eligibility are reviewed regularly, so verify before relying on any figure.
How can I cut Tasmanian winter heating costs beyond the allowance?
Heating is where Tasmanian bills are won or lost. An efficient reverse-cycle system usually beats a plug-in electric heater for the same warmth, and our guide on the cost to run an electric heater shows why the cheap heater is often the expensive one over a cold winter.
Can renters claim the Tasmanian electricity concession?
Yes, if the electricity account is in your name and you hold an eligible card. The daily concession attaches to the account holder, not the property owner. Our renters energy savings guide covers the extra steps tenants can take.
Is there a cheaper tariff for hot water in Tasmania?
Often yes. Many Tasmanian homes can put electric hot water on a lower-priced heating or controlled-load tariff that charges at off-peak times. See our breakdown of hot water running costs to work out whether it is worth arranging with your retailer.
Are Tasmanian electricity prices high compared with the mainland?
Tasmania generates most of its power from hydro and connects to the mainland via the Basslink cable, so its pricing dynamics differ from the eastern states. Our overview of electricity prices in Tasmania explains what drives the rates you pay.
Does the concession still apply if I heat with wood or gas?
The Annual Electricity Concession applies to your electricity account regardless of how you heat, so you keep it even if your main heating is wood or gas. Any heating allowance or gas concession is separate, so check which ones your household qualifies for.
I can only really use Aurora Energy. Is comparing pointless in Tasmania?
Not entirely. Even with limited retail competition, you may still have choices between tariff types (for example, single-rate versus a heating or off-peak tariff), and those choices affect your bill. Where a genuine plan or tariff option exists, comparing on your real usage still helps.
General information only, current at the time of writing. Not financial advice. Rebate schemes and rules
change; always confirm details with your retailer or state government energy site.
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