There are a few government services and concessions, that may be useful in saving on your energy bills:
Victorian Energy Compare is the Victorian Government's free, independent and easy to use energy price comparison website.
The comparison is easy to do and takes about 10 minutes.
All you need is:
• access to a device connected to the internet
• a recent bill and some information about how your household uses energy.
This allows you to find the cheapest electricity or gas plan for your household or small business.
You can also use the website to calculate how much money you could save on your energy bills by installing solar panels.
Seven out of ten people can save money by using the Victorian Energy Compare website.
All you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your energy usage, and the website will show you the best available offers based on your energy needs.
Find out more: https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
The Victorian Default Offer is a simple and trusted electricity price that is set by the Essential Services Commission, not energy companies. It provides Victorian consumers access to a fair electricity deal even if they are unable or unwilling to engage in the retail market.
This system was introduced in 2019. It acts as a kind of safety net, where the Essential Services Commission sets a default price everyone who is signed up have access to. In July of 2024, the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) was reduced by 6 per cent, reducing electricity prices by an average of $100 a year for over half a million households. The VDO has come down largely due to a decrease in wholesale power prices.
Find out more: Victorian Default Offer | Essential Services Commission
It’s worth considering is that the VDO is intended as a ‘fair price’ based on wholesale power prices and other factors. Individual power companies can choose to offer even lower prices if they wish. The default offer may not necessarily be the lowest price available to you.
This Annual Electricity Concession is available year-round for electricity account holders who have one of the following: Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.
The concession applies to domestic mains electricity usage and service costs.
How to apply for the concession:
• Phone your electricity retailer and give your concession card details over the phone. You may also be able to apply via your retailer's website.
• Your retailer will check your card details with Centrelink and apply the concession to your bill.
Find out more: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/annual-electricity-concession
Phone: 1800 161 215
The Energy Assistance Program is a free service designed to support Victorians who are having trouble paying their energy bills.
The program can support Victorian households:
• with one-on-one help to navigate the energy market
• to manage the rising cost of living by saving money on energy bills
• understand the energy affordability support available and to take part in the energy market more often.
The program is designed for low-income and hard-to-reach energy consumers experiencing hardship and those who haven't engaged recently or ever in the retail energy market.
To access the program, you should:
• hold a Commonwealth Government Concession card; or
• be struggling or expecting to struggle to pay your energy bill.
How you can access assistance:
Call 1800 161 215 and you will be connected to Anglicare Victoria directly to book an in-person or telephone appointment.
You will also need a recent copy of your electricity or gas bill.
If you are unable to provide a recent copy of a bill, a representative will be able to request a copy of your bill from your current retailer.
Find out more: https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/households/help-paying-your-energy-bills/energy-assistance-program
The State Government is currently offering discounts on energy & solar upgrades:
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program offers rebates or discounts on equipment and appliances that help save energy and reduce your power bills.
The average household can save between $120 and $1,100 a year on energy costs depending on the upgrade. Instead of a like-for-like replacement, choose energy-efficient products and take advantage of the rebates and discounts available. Small businesses can save up to $500 annually, and larger businesses up to $74,000 annually by investing in an upgrade through the VEU program.
Efficiency electric alternatives are cheaper to run than gas appliances, so now is a great time to use the VEU program to make the switch to electric.
Find out more: www.energy.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades/homes
How to receive a discount:
Option 1: Accredited Provider installation
1. Choose the eligible upgrade listed with Essential Services Commission.
2. The VEU accredited provider provides an upfront discount to you.
3. The VEU accredited provider completes the installation of an approved product.
Option 2: Choose your own installer
1. Choose the eligible upgrade listed with Essential Services Commission.
2. Hire a qualified tradesperson partnered with an accredited provider to handle the
paperwork and secure your discount.
3. Choose an eligible product.
Your qualified tradesperson:
• provides a quote including the discount
• completes the installation of an approved product
• returns completed forms to the accredited provider to process the discount.
The Solar Homes Program offers eligible Victorian households solar panel rebates and the option of an interest-free loan to install them. They also offer hot water system rebates, and an interest-free loan for solar batteries.
Hot water systems account for around 21 per cent of total energy use in your home on average. To keep these costs under control and save energy you could install an efficient heat pump or solar hot water system. The Solar Homes hot water rebate can help you to cover these costs.
Find out more: www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-homes-program
Check if you are eligible
As a Victorian householder, you could receive a hot water rebate if:
• you are the owner-occupier of an existing property where the system is to be installed
• the household taxable income of all owners combined is less than $210,000 per year
• the value of the property is under $3 million
• the property address has not already received a hot water or a solar battery rebate
under the Solar Homes Program
• the hot water system to be replaced is at least 3 years old from the date of purchase
• you received a Solar Homes rebate and/or loan but have moved house. You can apply
for another incentive at your new address as an owner-occupier if the property has not
received these rebates before.
You must work with an authorised hot water retailer and use only eligible products.
Process for hot water installations
If you think you are eligible, follow the step-by-step process:
1. Do some research – read our Hot Water Buyers Guide
2. Talk with an authorised retailer
3. Select a system using products on our list to meet your energy needs
4. Ask for a written quote (your retailer will upload it into the Solar Victoria portal)
5. Wait for our email confirming the quote has been uploaded
6. Get pre-approval
7. Prove you are eligible – upload your paperwork into the portal
8. Wait for us to confirm your eligibility and send your QR code
9. Install the hot water system (within 120 days)
10. Pay the difference to the retailer – the total cost minus the rebate
If you install your hot water system before your eligibility is approved, you will not receive a rebate (unless it’s an emergency installation).
If you’re looking to lodge a complaint about the nature of the increase by your energy providers, there are options available to you:
Essential Services Commission:
https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/contact-us
The ESC is the best place to get accurate info on regulation of Electricity, Gas and Water.
The ESC also regulates the Victorian Default Offer.
Phone: 9032 1300 or 1300 664 969
Email: [email protected]
The Energy and Water Ombudsman:
https://www.ewov.com.au/common-complaints/unexpected-high-bill
The EWOV deals with complaints in Victoria’s electricity, gas and water sector, covering most companies that offer services to customers. You can also contact them to talk about an issue without starting a formal complaint.
The service is free for Victorian customers. That means you won’t have to pay to contact them or have them look into your complaint. In the case that you’d like to specifically argue or complain about your recent bill, this service may be able to help.
Phone: 1800 500 509
