South Australia energy rebates and concessions

South Australia Concessions & Government Energy Rebates

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South Australians with eligible concession cards or who receive eligible Centrelink payments may also be eligible for certain government concessions and energy rebates. If you’re having trouble keeping up with your energy bills and need a little financial help, find out if you qualify for any of the energy concessions in South Australia below.

Energy Concessions SA - 2022
SA Government RebateAmount*Recipients
Energy Bill ConcessionUp to $233.60 per yearCertain concession card and/or Centrelink payment recipients
Cost of Living Concession$108.60 to $217.20 per year depending on circumstancesCertain concession card and/or Centrelink payment recipients, or people who meet low income provisions
Medical Heating and Cooling Concession$233.60 per yearCertain concession card and/or Centrelink payment recipients with eligible medical conditions that cause difficulty regulating body temperature due to a medical condition
SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO)Ongoing 21% off electricity usage and supply charges & 11% off gas usage and supply chargesOrigin Energy customers in South Australia who receive the SA Energy Bill Concession

*Rebate amount depends on your specific conditions and eligibility criteria. You could receive more depending on your eligibility for other combinable rebates. You could receive less depending on your specific eligibility criteria.

Important Information Show Less

SA Energy Concession

Energy bill

The SA Energy Concession is available to low or fixed-income households in South Australia and can go towards the cost of energy, including electricity, natural gas, and LPG bottled gas.

The SA Energy Concession amount is up to $233.60 per year, calculated as a flat rate per day, and is usually applied directly to your energy bill.

Eligibility for the South Australia Energy Bill Concession

In order to receive the SA Energy Bill Concession, you need to:

  • Live at the property and be a resident of South Australia
  • Have an energy account in your name and be first listed on your energy bill
  • Receive an eligible Centrelink payment or hold an eligible concession card (see below)
  • Not live with anyone who has an annual income greater than $3,000 per year unless they are your spouse or dependent, or get an allowance from Centrelink or DVA

Asylum Seekers can apply for the SA Energy Concession if they meet certain eligibility requirements including receiving case management or support, low income requirements, hold an energy account in their name, and are not living with anyone who earns more than $3,000 per year.

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Eligible Concession Cards for the SA Energy Bill Concession

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Low Income Health Care Card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • DVA Gold Card: Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI), Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA), War Window, or issues to a personal with 80+ impairment points under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
  • ABSTUDY
  • Austudy
  • Community Development Project (CDP)
  • Farm Household Allowance (FHA)
  • JobSeeker Payment
  • New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
  • Parenting Payment
  • Partner Allowance
  • Special Benefit
  • War widow pension under legislation of the UK or NZ
  • Widow Allowance
  • Youth Allowance

How to Apply for the South Australia Energy Bill Concession

The easiest way to apply for the South Australia Energy Bill Concession is to use the online SA Household Concessions Application and Update Form.

If you’re unable to use the online application form, you can also apply using the Application for Household Concessions PDF or contact ConcessionsSA directly to be sent a physical form.

To apply for the SA Energy Bill Concession you will need to have on hand:

  • Your Centrelink number (CRN) or DVA file number
  • Your most recent electricity bill for your: Retailer name, account number, National Metering Identifier (NMI) number, and billing dates

SA Cost of Living Concession

Wallet with money

The SA Cost of Living Concession (formerly the council rate concession) is available to low or fixed-income households to assist with all cost of living expenses including energy bills, medical bills, or council rates.

The amount you can receive from the SA Cost of Living Concession depends on your household situation:

  • Homeowner-occupiers: $217.20
  • Self-funded retiree homeowner-occupiers with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: $108.60
  • Renters/Tenants: $108.60

Rental Assistance If you’re a tenant in Australia you may be entitled to Rent Assistance Payments

Eligibility for the South Australia Cost of Living Concession

To apply for the SA Cost of Living Concession, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Live at the property and be a resident of South Australia
  • Receive an eligible Centrelink payment or hold an eligible concession card (see below)
  • Not live with anyone who has an annual income greater than the low income provision unless they are your spouse or dependent, or get an allowance from Centrelink or DVA

Eligible Concession Cards for the SA Cost of Living Concession

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Low Income Health Care Card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • DVA Gold Card: Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI), Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA), War Window, or issues to a personal with 80+ impairment points under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
  • ABSTUDY
  • Austudy
  • Community Development Project (CDP)
  • Farm Household Allowance (FHA)
  • JobSeeker Payment
  • New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
  • Parenting Payment
  • Partner Allowance
  • Special Benefit
  • War widow pension under legislation of the UK or NZ
  • Widow Allowance
  • Youth Allowance

Low Income Provisions for the SA Cost of Living Concession

If you meet certain low income requirements, you may also be eligible for the SA Cost of Living Concession.

Depending on your living status, the income requirements will differ. Below you can find the low income requirements for eligibility for the SA Cost of Living Concession:

SA Cost of Living Concession - Low Income Provision Eligibility
Living StatusFortnightly Income: Pre-TaxFortnightly Income: Pre-Tax
Single$770.80$20,040.80
Single With Children$817.50$21,255.00
Partnered$1,280.80$33,300.80

How to Apply for the South Australia Cost of Living Concession

The application for the SA Cost of Living Concession can be accessed online.

If you’re unable to access the online SA Concession application site, you can download the Household Concession Application PDF or contact ConcessionsSA to have a paper form sent to you.

To apply for the SA Cost of Living Concession you will need the following information on hand:

  • Your Centrelink customer reference number (CRN) or,
  • DVA file number, or
  • A copy of your most recent tax assessment, and
  • Your banking details

In order to be eligible for the SA Cost of Living Concession, you need to submit your application by 31 December to receive the concession the following financial year. Once your application for the SA Cost of the Living Concession is approved, you will receive your concession by EFT directly to the bank account you provided

  • When Will I Receive the SA Cost of Living Concession? 2021/2022
  • Existing owner-occupiers or retirement village/residential park residents received their 2021/2022 concession in August 2021
  • New homeowner applicants who applied before 31 December 2021 received their payment upon approval
  • Tenants received their concession by the end of March 2022

SA Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

If you or your child/dependent has a medical condition that is severely worsened by extreme heat/cold or changes in temperature you may be eligible for the SA Medical Heating and Cooling concession to help pay for the energy needed to run an air conditioning unit or heating unit in your home.

The current South Australia Medical Heating and Cooling Concession amount is: $233.60 per year, paid quarterly.

Eligibility for the South Australia Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

In order to be eligible for the SA Medical Heating and Cooling concession, you must:

  • Be a South Australian resident and live at the address on the application form
  • Either have a qualifying medical condition or be the parent/guardian of a child with a qualifying medical condition
  • Provide medical certification from a specialist or GP that the medical condition is worsened by extreme temperatures
  • Use an AC unit or heating unit at the address to meet medical heating and cooling needs
  • Be financially responsible for part or all of the energy bill
  • Receive an eligible Centrelink payment or hold an eligible concession card (see below)

Eligible Concession Cards for the SA Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Low Income Health Care Card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • DVA Gold Card: Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI), Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA), War Window, or issues to a personal with 80+ impairment points under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
  • ABSTUDY
  • Austudy
  • Community Development Project (CDP)
  • Farm Household Allowance (FHA)
  • JobSeeker Payment
  • New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
  • Parenting Payment
  • Partner Allowance
  • Special Benefit
  • War widow pension under legislation of the UK or NZ
  • Widow Allowance
  • Youth Allowance

How to Apply for the South Australia Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

You can apply for the South Australia Medical Heating and Cooling concession in three steps:

  1. Download the Medical Heating and Cooling Application PDF or call 1300 735 350 to have a form sent to you
  2. Complete the Medical Heating and Cooling Application with your medical specialist or general practitioner
  3. Email the completed application form to [email protected]

The SA Medical Heating and Cooling Concession is paid quarterly via direct payment.

SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO)

The SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO) is available to energy concession recipients and provides additional discounts separate from the standard SA Energy Concession.

In order to be eligible for SACEDO you need to be an Origin Energy customer who is already receiving the SA Energy Concession. If you’re not yet an Origin Energy customer you will need to switch energy providers before applying.

With SACEDO, Origin Energy customers will get:

  • Guaranteed ongoing 21% discount off electricity usage and supply rates
  • Guaranteed ongoing 11% discount off gas usage and supply rates
  • Flexible Origin Energy bill payment options
  • No late payment fees, processing or paper bill fees, or credit card fees

In order to start receiving the Energy Concession Discount Offer, contact Origin Energy by calling 1300 791 465. If you transfer to Origin Energy for the discount offer, you will need to call the ConcessionsSA hotline at 1800 307 758 after you receive your first Origin Energy bill to keep your SA Energy Bill Concession.

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How to Contact Concessions SA

If you need more help or information about available South Australia concessions or rebates, you can contact ConcessionsSA by phone or email.

ConcessionsSA Contact information:

South Australia Concessions FAQ

How do I apply for concessions in South Australia?

You can apply for most household concessions available in South Australia using their online concessions application form.

The SA Households Concessions application form is also for South Australians who need to update their details or provide supporting documents in order to be eligible for concessions.

If you cannot access the online application form, you can download the ConcessionsSA application PDF or contact ConcessionsSA directly to be sent a paper form.

What combined household concessions are available?

If you’re eligible for one household concession in South Australia, you may be eligible for others.

Combined concessions currently available for low or fixed-income households include:

  • Energy Bill Concession
  • Water & Sewage Rate Concession
  • Cost of Living Concession
  • Emergency Services Levy

You can apply to all of these concessions using the online application form.

Are there South Australia solar rebates?

Renewable energy in South Australia is on the rise, and the South Australian government has solar energy rebates and a home battery scheme available for residential South Australians to invest in solar energy.

More about Rebates

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