COVID - 19 (coronavirus) additional payment
If you are eligible for and approved to receive the Energy Assistance Payment, you will receive an additional boost payment of $305.25 to assist in managing the financial impacts of COVID-19.
- If you are registered to receive the Energy Assistance Payment from Synergy or Horizon Power before 30 September 2020, you will automatically receive an additional $305.25 credited against your electricity account.
Further information is available at:
- Synergy - Helping you at home webpage
- Horizon Power - Keeping you connected so our regions thrive webpage
- If you are not a customer of Synergy or Horizon Power and are registered to receive the Energy Assistance Payment through the Energy Concession Extension Scheme, you will automatically be paid an additional $305.25 directly into your nominated bank account.
Energy pricing for households
Payment support
Show moreThere is also separate financial assistance for concession card holders (see below).
Hardship Utility Grant Scheme
The Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) is run by WA’s Department for Child Protection. HUGS is a State Government scheme which provides financial assistance to help people with financial difficulties pay their water, gas and electricity bills so their supply is not cut off.
If you are eligible, HUGS may pay up to 85% of your current electricity, gas or water bill direct to your retailer. You would still need to pay the other remaining amount.
For further information, visit Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS) website
Financial Counselling
As well as helping people pay their electricity, gas and water bills, financial counselling services are also available, delivered by the not for profit community service sector.
Services are free and act in the best interests of the client, free of any commercial benefit and conflict of interest.
For further information, visit Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia website
Payment Assistance
If you're experiencing difficulty paying your power bill, your retailer may be able to provide you with flexible payment arrangements, in addition to assisting you with claiming any rebates you may be eligible for and putting you in touch with a financial counsellor.
More information can be found at:
How to apply
To obtain assistance with payments or to apply for HUGS, you must contact Synergy, Horizon Power, Alinta Energy, Busselton Water, Water Corporation, Aqwest, Esperance Gas Distribution Company or Kleenheat Gas to discuss payment of your bill.
Telephone numbers are provided below.
- Synergy: 13 13 53
- Horizon Power: 1800 267 926
- Water Corporation: 13 13 85
- Alinta: 13 13 58
- Kleenheat Gas: 13 21 80
- Busselton Water: (08) 9781 0500
- Aqwest: (08) 9780 9500
- Esperance Gas Distribution Company: (08) 9072 1422
- Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia Helpline: 1800 007 007
Concession card holders
Show moreYou may be eligible for these concessions if you have one or more concession card.
Concessions paid by retailers
These concessions are paid to eligible customers through the electricity retailers – Synergy and Horizon Power. Information on the value of concessions payments and how to apply is available on the retailers’ websites:
If you are not a customer of Synergy or Horizon Power, you may still be able to receive the Energy Assistance Payment, Dependent Child Rebate and/or Air-Conditioning Rebate through the Energy Concession Extension Scheme.
Energy Assistance Payment
About: The Energy Assistance Payment assists with the cost of energy (including electricity and gas) consumed in the home. It was previously known as the Cost of Living Assistance (CoLA) payment, but was renamed to provide a clearer description of the purpose of the concession.
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Permanent caravan park residents with one of these cards may also apply.
Dependent Child Rebate
About: The Dependent Child Rebate helps concession card holders with dependent children by assisting with energy costs
You are eligible if you have any dependent children listed on one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Permanent caravan park residents with dependent children listed on one of these cards may also apply.
Air-Conditioning Rebate
About: A rebate to help seniors who live in the hottest parts of Western Australia, and people receiving the Dependent Child Rebate, with air conditioning costs
You are eligible if you have the WA Seniors Card and either:
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or
- Pensioners Concession Card (Centrelink)
You also are also eligible if you:
- are a permanent caravan resident with the required concession cards
- receive the Dependent Child Rebate
Account Establishment Fee Rebate
About: Provides a rebate to cover the cost of establishing a new account
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veteran’s Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Reduced Meter Test Fee
About: Concession cardholders are eligible for a reduced meter test fee if an electricity meter is believed to be providing faulty or inaccurate readings. The meter test fee is refunded if the meter is found to be faulty.
You are eligible if you have one of the following:
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Caravan park residents
If you are a permanent caravan park resident, and have the right concession card/s, you can apply for the:
- State Government Energy Rebate
- Dependent Child Rebate
- Air Conditioning Rebate.
Medical subsidies
The Office of State Revenue, Department of Finance provides two subsidies to help people with certain medical conditions cover energy costs:
How to apply
To find out how to apply, visit:
If you are not a customer of Synergy or Horizon Power, you may still be able to receive the Energy Assistance Payment, Dependent Child Rebate and/or Air-Conditioning Rebate through the Energy Concession Extension Scheme.