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WA energy rebates and hardship help

Western Australia sits outside the national market — here is how the Energy Assistance Payment, concessions and hardship support work in WA.

By EnergySorted Editorial Team · Updated · 7 min read

Why Western Australia is different

Western Australia is not part of the National Electricity Market, and most of the state is served by government-owned retailers — Synergy in the south-west and Horizon Power in regional and remote areas. For most WA households this means you cannot shop around between competing retailers the way the eastern states can; your retailer is set by where you live. That changes the game: in WA, rebates and concessions do more of the heavy lifting because plan-switching is limited.

Because the network is government-run, WA tends to deliver help as direct account credits and payments rather than a competitive-market rebate. The headline support has been the Energy Assistance Payment, alongside concessions tied to specific cards and circumstances. Amounts change with each state budget, so confirm the current figure on the WA Government or your retailer's site.

The main types of WA help

Energy Assistance Payment
An annual payment credited to the accounts of eligible concession-card holders to help with electricity costs.
Cost of Living Rebate
A payment for eligible seniors and pensioners recognising broader household costs, applied to those who qualify.
Dependent Child Rebate
Extra help for eligible households with dependent children, in recognition of higher household energy use.
Life Support Equipment Electricity Subsidy
A subsidy for homes running approved life-support machines, covering some of the unavoidable extra electricity.
Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy
Help for people with a medical condition that stops the body regulating its own temperature, so heating or cooling is essential.
Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS)
Emergency help for people who cannot pay a current electricity, gas or water bill because of a financial crisis.

How to claim in Western Australia

  1. Check which government retailer serves your address — Synergy for the south-west grid, Horizon Power for regional and remote WA.
  2. Confirm your eligibility and the current amounts on the WA Government or your retailer's concessions pages.
  3. Register your concession card details with your retailer so account credits like the Energy Assistance Payment are applied.
  4. For medical subsidies, lodge the relevant form with medical certification through the responsible WA agency or your retailer.
  5. If you are behind on a bill, ask about the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) and a payment plan before disconnection is considered.

Where saving comes from in WA

Because most WA households cannot switch retailers, the usual advice to "compare and switch" applies differently here. The savings levers that remain are making sure you are claiming every rebate and concession you qualify for, using any life-support or medical subsidies you are entitled to, and getting on a hardship plan early if money is tight rather than letting debt build.

EnergySorted is independent and takes no retailer commissions, and its comparison engine is most powerful in the contestable eastern states. In WA the biggest wins usually come from concessions and hardship support — but if your circumstances change (for example a business account, or a move interstate), the same independent, usage-based comparison is ready to find you the cheapest plan across more than 16,000 offers.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch electricity retailers in WA?

For most residential customers, no. Synergy serves the south-west grid and Horizon Power serves regional and remote areas, and your retailer is set by location. Larger users and some business accounts have more options.

What is the Energy Assistance Payment?

It is an annual payment credited to the electricity accounts of eligible concession-card holders in WA to help with costs. The amount is set by the state and reviewed in the budget, so confirm the current figure.

Is there help if I run life-support equipment at home?

Yes. WA offers a Life Support Equipment Electricity Subsidy for approved machines, plus a Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy for people whose bodies cannot regulate temperature. Both require medical certification.

What is HUGS?

The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme provides emergency help for WA households who cannot pay a current electricity, gas or water bill due to a financial crisis. It is accessed via your retailer or a support agency.

If I cannot switch, is comparison useless in WA?

For a standard residential account with a set retailer, plan-switching is limited, so concessions and hardship help do the heavy lifting. Comparison still matters if you have choice — for example some business accounts or if you move interstate.

Where do I confirm current WA amounts?

On the WA Government concessions pages and your retailer's (Synergy or Horizon Power) website. Amounts change with each state budget, so verify before relying on any figure.

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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.