Victoria's energy help is built around concessions that scale with your bill rather than fixed lump sums, plus periodic bonus schemes that reward households for comparing offers. The best-known of these has been the Power Saving Bonus, a one-off payment for households that used the state's official comparison service to check their energy deal. Bonus schemes like this come and go, so always confirm whether one is currently open before you count on it.
The ongoing help sits in the Victorian energy concessions, most of which are percentage-based. Instead of a flat annual credit, a percentage concession takes a slice off your usage costs above a threshold, which means the more you spend on energy, the more the concession is worth. This design is meant to protect households hit hardest by high winter bills.
The main Victorian concessions
Annual Electricity Concession
A percentage discount off electricity usage and supply costs above a set daily threshold, for holders of an eligible concession card (applied all year).
Winter Gas Concession
A seasonal percentage concession on gas usage over the winter months, when heating drives gas bills up.
Medical Cooling Concession
A summer discount on electricity for households where someone has a qualifying medical condition affected by heat, to help cover cooling costs.
Life Support Concession
Help for households running approved life-support machines such as dialysis or oxygen concentrators, based on the equipment.
Utility Relief Grant
A grant for people facing a temporary financial crisis who cannot pay a current bill, helping avoid disconnection.
Compare-and-save bonus
Periodic one-off payments (such as the Power Saving Bonus) for households that check their deal through the state comparison service. Availability varies over time.
How to claim in Victoria
Confirm you hold an eligible card, commonly a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold Card.
Give your concession card details to your electricity and gas retailer so the ongoing concessions are applied to each bill automatically.
For the Medical Cooling or Life Support concessions, submit the relevant medical or equipment form to your retailer.
If you are behind on a bill and in hardship, ask about the Utility Relief Grant Scheme through your retailer or a support agency.
Check whether a compare-and-save bonus is currently open on the official Victorian energy website, and follow its steps if so.
Why comparing still matters most
Because Victoria's concessions are percentage-based, a lower underlying bill means the concession stretches further per dollar you actually spend, but it also means an expensive plan quietly costs you more even after the concession. Knowing how electricity prices in Victoria stack up helps you judge whether your rate is fair. The concession never fixes a bad rate; it just shares a bit of the pain.
EnergySorted is independent and earns no retailer commissions, so its job is simply to find the cheapest plan for your real Victorian usage across the whole market. Pair that with your concessions, keep an eye on your Bill Health Score, and you get the full benefit: the right plan first, then every concession stacked on top.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Power Saving Bonus always available?
No. It has run as a series of time-limited rounds rather than a permanent scheme. Always check the official Victorian energy website to see if a bonus round is currently open before relying on it.
Why is the Victorian electricity concession a percentage, not a fixed amount?
It is designed so the help scales with your bill. A percentage off usage above a threshold gives more support to households with higher energy costs, which is common in cold Victorian winters.
Do I need to reapply for concessions each year?
Generally the ongoing concessions continue while your card remains valid and your details are current with your retailer. If you switch retailers, re-supply your card details so they keep applying.
What is the Utility Relief Grant Scheme?
It is emergency help for Victorians who cannot pay a current energy or water bill because of a temporary financial crisis, aimed at preventing disconnection. You typically apply through your retailer.
Can I get both electricity and gas concessions?
Yes, if you hold an eligible card and have accounts in your name. The electricity concession runs all year, while the gas concession is focused on winter. Confirm current rules on the state site.
Does a concession mean I do not need to compare plans?
No. A concession discounts the plan you are on. Because it is a percentage, an expensive plan still costs you more even after the concession, so comparing on EnergySorted remains the bigger lever.
How do I find every rebate and concession I might qualify for in Victoria?
Start with your card type, then check the official Victorian energy site for each concession. A quick way to shortlist what applies to your household is the free energy rebate finder, which points you to the schemes worth chasing before you contact your retailer.
Can renters claim Victorian energy concessions?
Yes, if the energy account is in your name and you hold an eligible card. Concessions attach to the account holder, not the property. Our renters energy savings guide has more on getting the account set up in your name and keeping bills low.
Do I have to apply for the concession, or is it automatic?
The ongoing concessions are not automatic. You need to give your concession card details to your electricity and gas retailer once, after which they apply each bill while your card stays valid. If you switch retailers, re-supply the details so it keeps flowing.
I have rooftop solar. Do Victorian concessions still help?
Yes. Concessions apply to the usage and supply charges you still pay after your solar offset, and your solar feed-in tariff credits sit separately on the same bill. A percentage concession simply applies to the reduced amount you owe.
What if I cannot pay my Victorian energy bill right now?
Ask your retailer about the Utility Relief Grant Scheme and a hardship plan, and consider setting up a payment plan so the balance is spread out. Acting before disconnection is threatened gives you the most options.
Is the Medical Cooling Concession only for summer?
The Medical Cooling Concession is aimed at summer cooling costs for households where someone has a qualifying heat-affected condition. Separate ongoing electricity and winter gas concessions cover the rest of the year, so most eligible households are supported across all seasons.
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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