Major electricity change to help millions of Centrelink recipients claim bill discounts: 'Every dollar they deserve'   
A new rule will soon apply to energy companies to help make sure vulnerable Aussies don't miss out on energy bill concessions they are entitled to.

Yahoo News.
Thu 25 September 2025


From July 1, 2026, energy retailers will be required to ask customers about their eligibility for concessions and let me know what they are entitled to.
Energy retailers will soon be forced to let Centrelink recipients know what discounts they are entitled so they don’t miss out on relief. The rule change will kick in on July 1 next year.

Millions of Aussies are eligible for additional discounts on their power bills through their concession cards. That can include those receiving the age pension and JobSeeker.   


However, six in 10 Aussies eligible are thought to be missing out. That’s because it is currently the responsibility of the customer to proactively inquire whether they are eligible, something many consumers are unaware of.


Under the new rule, retailers will now be required to ask customers about their eligibility for concessions and provide state-specific information on what they can receive.

This will happen when customers sign up to a provider or switch to a new contract and will apply for Aussies on the pension, JobSeeker or veterans payments in NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and the ACT.


Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Aussies “deserve a fairer go when it comes to their energy bills”. 

“We’re making sure concession holders don’t miss out,” he said.

“Retailers will now have to clearly tell people what discounts they’re entitled to, so vulnerable households see every dollar of support they deserve.”

whiteknight wrote on Sep 28^th, 2025 at 10:22am:


so the sixty percent can have cheap electricity and the 40 percent who actually have to pay will pay massive bills to cover their own use plus they need to pay more to cover the other 60 percent.

As Chris bowen says

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Aussies “deserve a fairer go when it comes to their energy bills”. 

mothra wrote on Sep 28^th, 2025 at 11:15am:


If what you say is true then why can't everyone have concessions.

Leroy wrote on Sep 28^th, 2025 at 10:38am:


No.

You need to read it again.

It doesn't say 60% of all Australians are eligible - it says that of the Australians who are eligible, 60% of them are missing out.

"six in 10 Aussies eligible are ..."  not  "six in 10 Aussies are eligible".

And, the discounts aren't paid for by people who don't get the concession - they're paid by the federal and state governments.

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 28^th, 2025 at 11:57am:


With what?

Govts don't have money - they tax the citizenry for money.

Gnads wrote Yesterday at 8:27am:


That's correct.

They don't charge customers who don't get the concession more for electricity to cover the cost of the discounts - they use revenue from the existing taxation system which applies to everyone.

So, not sure what your issue is here - my comments were 100% correct.