Energy bill support
Are you noticing your electricity bills going up? There are various financial supports available to help you save on your energy bills, including concessions, utility bill relief and payment plans.
Concession rebates for home energy upgrades
Through our Hume Home Energy Upgrades program, Hume City Council offers attractive rebates to eligible concession card holders to have the following products installed in their homes through vetted suppliers: reverse cycle heating and cooling systems (split systems), electric heat pump hot water systems, rooftop solar, electric induction cooktops, insulation and draught proofing. Register now or call Yarra Energy Foundation on (03) 7037 6040 to receive free initial advice.
Annual Electricity Concession
The Annual Electricity Concession provides card holders with a 17.5% discount on household electricity usage and service costs. Call your electricity retailer and give your concession card details over the phone to have the discount applied to your bill.
Winter Gas Concession
The Winter Gas Concession provides concession card holders with a 17.5% discount on gas usage and service costs from 1 May to 31 October each year. Call your gas retailer and give your concession card details over the phone to have the discount applied to your bill.
Other concessions (e.g. medical cooling, life support)
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible for other types of energy concessions and benefits. Contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521 or find out about the full range of energy concessions.
Utility Relief Grants
Utility Relief Grants help homeowners or renters to pay overdue electricity, gas or water bills due to financial hardship. Grants of up to $650 for each utility type (electricity, gas and water) are available in a two-year period (or $1300 for households with a single source of energy e.g. electricity only).
Grants are available to eligible concession card holders, or if you are not a concession card holder but have no way of paying the bill without assistance you may meet the eligibility criteria.
To request the grant, call your electricity, gas or water retailer to apply over the phone.
Payment plans and financial hardship support
If you’re having trouble paying a bill, call your electricity, gas or water retailer. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a one-off or an ongoing issue for you, your retailer must help you. They should begin by giving you an extension or a payment plan to pay in instalment amounts you can afford.
All electricity, gas and water retailers have a financial hardship team that can work with you to help manage your ongoing bills and usage.
Good Shepherd no interest loans (NILs)
No interest loans of up to $2,000 may be available for eligible households for essential households appliances (eg. heaters, washing machines). To learn more visit Good Shepherd Services.
Energy and Water Ombudsman
The Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) (EWOV) is an independent organisation providing free advice and support to help Victorians resolve complaints with their electricity, gas and water companies. You can contact EWOV on 1800 500 509 or find out more about the Energy and Water Ombudsman.
Resources to help you understand and manage your energy bills
The Consumer Policy Research Centre's Energy Info Hub has several useful resources to help you take control of your energy bills and save:
For queries, please contact our Household Energy Officer at energy@hume.vic.gov.au
If you are part of a community group or organisation, we can deliver talks or provide other information to groups on ways to save on energy bills.