Help with your energy bills
We have a new team ready to help you make sense and get on top of your electricity or gas bills. We can help you with:
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Understanding your bill |
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Extending payment deadlines or applying for hardship programs with your energy provider |
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Finding, comparing and switching to a better energy offer |
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Applying for grants and concessions for eligible customers |
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Reducing bill costs (how you can reduce energy consumption at home) |
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Linking you with other services such as financial counselling or the Energy and Water Ombudsman |
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Organising in-person bill support |
Call 1800 531 741 (between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays)
Language translation services are available.
We can also organise to meet you in-person at one of our outreach locations across Victoria. Call us to find out more or book an appointment.
$250 Power Saving Bonus
The Victorian Government has launched a $250 Power Saving Bonus for all Victorian households. Only one payment is available per household, per round.
We can help you apply for this bonus. Call 1800 531 741 and you will be connected to our helpful and trained staff.
You will need a copy of your electricity bill.
The account holder for your electricity bill will need to apply or be present when you apply.
When you apply for the Power Saving Bonus, you will need to have:
- Your electricity bill, either on paper or electronically.
- Your bank details (BSB and account number), so the government can pay you via electronic funds transfer.
Call 1800 531 741 (between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays)
Language translation services are available.
We can also organise to meet you in-person at one of our outreach locations across Victoria. Call us to find out more or book an appointment.
$250 Power Saving Bonus FAQs
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The $250 Power Saving Bonus program provides a payment of $250 for Victorian households to ease cost-of-living pressures and encourages Victorians to compare their household energy prices and save money.
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The Victorian Energy Compare website is a government-run energy comparison site that is free, independent and easy to use.
While energy prices have fluctuated considerably in 2022, customers can always check that they’re on the best available energy offer at the Victorian Energy Compare website (compare.energy.vic.gov.au).
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When the next round of the $250 Power Saving program commences on 24 March 2023, the eligibility for the program will remain the same. To be eligible for the new $250 Power Saving Bonus, Victorian households need to:
- Have a recent residential electricity bill and be the account holder for that bill
- Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website (compare.energy.vic.gov.au) or engage with an energy affordability service through one of our participating community outreach partners.
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The quickest way to submit an application for the new $250 Power Saving Bonus is through the Victorian Energy Compare website (compare.energy.vic.gov.au). Victorians who do not have access to a computer or the internet can call the VEC helpline on 1800 000 832 or receive support from one of the community outreach partners, like Anglicare that support the $250 Power Saving Bonus program.
To submit an application call us on 1800 531 741.
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On 26 February 2023 the Premier announced that there will be an additional round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus program. The new round will commence from 24 March 2023. From that date, all eligible Victorian households will be able to apply for a $250 payment under the new round of the Power Saving Bonus Program, including any households who have received payments through previous rounds of the program.
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Our team can assist you apply for the bonus if you need help. They can assist with overcoming accessibility issues including navigating the internet, understanding bills and the process to claim the bonus. This service is free. Give us a call on 1800 531 741.
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Eligible households can apply for the next round from 24 March 2023. The Bonus is available to all Victorian households who visit the Victorian Energy Compare website or engage with an energy affordability service through a participating community outreach partners like Anglicare Victoria.
To submit an application call us on 1800 531 741.
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No, the Bonus will be paid to your nominated bank account via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or Bank Cheque.
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Only one payment per household, per round is available for each round of the Power Saving Bonus program.
If you have applied for a $250 Power Saving Bonus under the current round of the program, which opened on 1 July 2022, you are not able to receive another payment under this round of the program.
A new round of the Power Saving Bonus Program will commence on 24 March 2023. From that date, all eligible Victorian households will be able to apply for another $250 payment under the new round of the Power Saving Bonus Program, including any households who have received payments through previous rounds of the program.
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Yes, if you received payments under previous rounds of the Power Saving Bonus Program you are still eligible to apply for the new round, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
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No, only the account holder listed on the energy account can apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus.
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Only one payment per household, per round is available for each round of the Power Saving Bonus program.
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To apply for the new $250 Power Saving Bonus, you will need a recent residential electricity bill.
You may also be asked to provide further supporting documentation. Such as: a recent utility bill (e.g. gas or water), rates notice, driver’s license, or a concession card.
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No, you do not need to be receiving a concession payment of any type to receive the $250 Power Saving Bonus for Victorian households.
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If you rent and meet the eligibility requirements, then you can apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus for Victorian households.
To apply for the new $250 Power Saving Bonus, you will need a recent residential electricity bill.
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If your application is successful, you should receive your $250 payment via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) within 2-3 weeks of submission if you meet the eligibility and documentation requirements. Cheque payments will take a little longer to process but should be received within 4 weeks if you meet the eligibility and documentation requirements. Incomplete applications may take longer to process.
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The $250 Power Saving Bonus will generally be paid via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your nominated bank account, or by bank cheque upon request. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary for your payment to be made via bank cheque.
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The Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program is a free service designed to support you if you are having trouble paying your energy bills. It will help you to save money and receive help connecting with your energy retailer.
The program aims to:
- provide you with one-on-one help to navigate the energy market
- help you manage the rising cost of living by saving money on energy bills
- help you understand the energy affordability support and help you take part in the energy market more often
For more information, visit https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/for-households/energy-assistance-program.
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If your household is in an embedded network and you meet the program’s eligibility requirements* you are eligible to apply for the Bonus. You will need to provide a copy of the electricity bill or invoice, provided to you by your Embedded Network Manager. Households who live in an embedded network will be paid by bank cheque. This will be sent to the service address listed on your electricity bill/invoice.
*The $250 Power Saving Bonus is available to all Victorian households. To be eligible for the $250 Power Saving Bonus, Victorian households will need to:
- Have a recent residential electricity bill
- Be the account holder for that bill
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In partnership with Victoria Government
