Do you possess a valid concession card that meets the eligibility criteria? If so, you could be eligible to receive discounts on your energy bills. However, to request for concessional rebates, it is mandatory that you hold the position of Decision Maker or Primary Account Holder on your Pacific Blue account.
To determine whether you qualify for government concessions or rebates, we invite you to look at the information provided below for your state of residence. This will help you understand the terms and conditions, and the application process.
Victoria
In Victoria, the concession cards that are considered eligible include:
- Pensioner concession cards that have been issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Centrelink.
- Health Care Cards that have been issued by Centrelink.
- Gold Repatriation Health Cards issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
About the Victorian Annual Electricity Concession
This is a discount of around 17.5% that is applicable to the usage and supply charges of your energy bills throughout the year. This discount is calculated after any discounts from the retailer and solar credits have been deducted.
Please note that this concession has a cap, which means that once the maximum limit is reached, we will send you an application form for the Excess Electricity Concession. For further details on the Annual Electricity Concession, you can visit the Victorian Government website. This will provide you with all the necessary information on the eligibility criteria, application process, and other terms and conditions associated with this concession.
About the Excess Electricity Concession
If your main electricity usage and supply charge are above the Victorian Government's annual cap for the Annual Electricity Concession, for the year, you may qualify for the Excess Electricity Concession. It is essential to note that this amount is reviewed annually and is subject to change.
This concession provides a reduction of 17.5% of electricity usage and service costs. The concession is calculated after retailer discounts and solar credit have been deducted.
About the Winter Gas Concession
From 1st May to 31st October every year, residential households are eligible for a discount of around 17.5% on their energy usage and supply charges. It is important to note that this concession is applicable only during this period.
About the Life Support Concession
The Life Support Concession is designed to support customers who require the use of specific machines in their homes.
If you or someone in your household uses a life support machine or any other machine that is prescribed by a doctor, we recommend that you fill out the application form to ensure that we can apply for the concession on your account. You can download the Life Support and Medical Confirmation forms from our website.
The concession for electricity is equal to the cost of 1,880 kilowatt hours of power per year or 420 kilowatt hours per quarter. This discount is applicable to intermittent peritoneal dialysis machines, oxygen concentrators, and haemodialysis machines. However, applications for other machines must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is worth noting that most continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) machines do not meet the 1,880-kilowatt-hour threshold.
For more information on the VIC Life Support Concession, please visit the Victorian Government website. Here you can find additional information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and other important terms and conditions associated with this concession.
About the Medical Cooling Concession
The Medical Cooling Concession offers a discount of approximately 17.5% on electricity bills from November 1 to April 30 each year to eligible customers with certain medical conditions, including:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Lymphedema
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Post-polio syndrome/Poliomyelitis
- and Motor Neuron Disease.
To apply for the concession, customers can download the Medical Cooling Concession Application Form and submit it by email to concessions@pacificblue.com.au or by post to Pacific Blue, PO BOX 320, North Geelong, VIC, 3215.
For further details, please refer to the Victorian Government website.
About the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS)
The URGS grant is available to support eligible concession cardholders and low-income households who are struggling to pay their utility bills. The amount of the grant is based on the outstanding amount at the time of application, with a maximum of $650 for each utility (electricity and gas) over a two-year period, or $1,300 for a single fuel (electricity only).
If you are facing temporary financial difficulty and hold an eligible concession card or belong to a low-income household, you may qualify for the URGS grant. For more information on eligibility and the grant program, please visit the Victorian Government website.
To apply for the grant or for further details, please call Pacific Blue on 133 669 between 8am and 6pm (AET) Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.
New South Wales
If you are a holder of a concession card issued by the New South Wales government or a customer relying on life support, you may qualify for assistance with managing your energy usage and bill payments. You could also be eligible for multiple rebates, including those for gas and electricity bills.
To learn more about the rebates and support available from the New South Wales Government, please visit their website.
About the Low-Income Household Rebate
If you are eligible, you may receive a flat rate per day rebate of up to $285.00 per year (excluding GST). This rebate can also apply to your gas supply at the same address. The concession amount is reviewed each financial year to reflect changes in the cost of living.
If you are a retail customer, you can apply for this rebate online by clicking here.
About the Family Energy Rebate
If you have dependent children and receive a Family Tax Benefit payment from the Commonwealth Department of Human Services, you may be eligible for the Family Energy Rebate. This rebate is only paid once per financial year.
The rebate provides:
- An annual payment of $180 (ex GST) if you do not hold the Department of Human Services Concession or Health Care Card.
- If you also receive the Low-Income Household Rebate, the annual payment may vary.
To apply for the rebate as a retail customer, please visit the online application form.
About the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme (EAPA)
The EAPA scheme provides support to customers facing a temporary financial crisis.
Each voucher has a maximum value of $400 (excluding GST) per year. Please note that this program is not an ongoing benefit, and vouchers are distributed by community welfare organisations like the Salvation Army, Anglicare, and St Vincent de Paul.
Apply Online
To apply for EAPA vouchers, please follow these steps:
- Determine whether you meet the EAPA eligibility requirements.
- Click on the "Apply online" button.
- Log in or create a MyServiceNSW account.
- Follow the instructions to submit your application.
Once you have submitted your application:
- You will receive an email confirming your submission.
- A representative from the NSW Government will contact you within 2 to 4 weeks to assess your eligibility for EAPA vouchers.
- The assessment may include a 3-way call with your energy retailer to discuss energy hardship plans and other forms of assistance.
Apply Through a Non-Government EAPA Provider
If you prefer an in-person assessment, don't have an email address, or need additional support like financial counselling, no-interest loans, or clothing and food assistance, you can apply for EAPA vouchers by contacting an approved non-government provider such as Anglicare, Salvation Army, and Wesley Mission.
To apply, simply contact an EAPA provider, who will assess your eligibility for the vouchers. You can find a list of approved providers on the New South Wales Government website.
Remember that the EAPA vouchers are worth up to $400 excluding GST per year, and to check the eligibility requirements before applying.
About the Medical Energy Rebate
The Medical Energy Rebate of up to $285.00 (excluding GST) per year is available for households where a member or members have a medical condition that affects their ability to regulate body temperature.
To claim this rebate, retail customers can download the application form and return the completed form via email to concessions@pacificblue.com.au or by post to the following address:
Pacific Blue
PO BOX 320
North Geelong, VIC, 3215
About the Seniors Energy Rebate
Eligibility for the Senior Energy Rebate requires the following criteria to be met:
- Residing in New South Wales
- Holding a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card (CSHC) from Centrelink or the Departments of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
- Being the Decision Maker/Primary Account Holder on the Pacific Blue account
- Applying for the rebate for your primary residence (not a holiday home or investment property)
Applications must be submitted directly to the Department through the form available on the New South Wales Government website. Successful applications will result in payment of the rebate directly to eligible customers by the Department, rather than being included on energy bills.
The rebate amount is up to $200.00 per household, per financial year, and if approved, will be deposited directly into your bank or credit union account.
South Australia
About the Energy Bill Concession
This is available for eligible customers on low or fixed incomes and the energy concession includes both electricity and gas payments as well as LPG bottled gas. For further information or to apply for the Energy Bill Concession, please click here.
About the Medical Heating and Cooling Concession Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS)
This is an emergency payment that can help you pay for an electricity debt if you are in financial hardship and have been or are at risk of being disconnected. You can apply for EEPS once every two years.
The payment is subject to eligibility criteria based on the applicant's circumstances and can only be accessed through financial counsellors.
For further information, please visit the South Australian Government website.
About the Medical Heating and Cooling Concession
This concession helps customers who have a clinically verified medical condition and require frequent use of heating and/or cooling in their home to prevent the severe worsening of their condition. It is designed for customers on a fixed or low income.
To learn more about this concession or to apply, please visit the South Australian Government website.
About the Cost-of-Living Concession
The Cost-of-Living Energy Concession is designed to help low or fixed-income customers with their cost-of-living expenses, such as council rates, energy bills, and medical bills.
For further details, please visit the South Australian Government website.
About the Dialysis Life Support Concession
If you or a member of your household require dialysis treatment at home, you may be eligible for the Dialysis Life Support Concession. To check eligibility, speak with the renal unit.
To learn more, please visit the South Australian Government website.
Queensland
About the Queensland Cost-of-Living Rebate
The Queensland Government is providing a $175 Cost of Living Rebate on upcoming electricity bills to eligible households in the state. Customers who meet the eligibility criteria will have the rebate automatically credited to their account from 31 August 2022, and it will be reflected on their bills depending on their billing cycles.
To be eligible, households must be separately charged for their electricity supply/consumption, and the rebate is in addition to any other energy rebates and concessions they may be eligible for.
For more information on the Cost-of-Living Rebate and other energy rebates and concessions offered by the Queensland Government, please visit their official website (and search for ‘Cost of Living Rebate’), or check out the Smart Savings website.
About the Electricity and Gas Rebates
Please note that the rebate amounts for electricity and gas, including GST, are $340.85 and $76.19 per year, respectively, and may vary annually based on government regulations.
Pensioners and seniors who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for these rebates.
To apply for the rebates, please call Pacific Blue on 133 669 to complete the application process over the phone or request an application form via email at concessions@pacificblue.com.au.
About the Electricity Life Support
For eligible customers who are seriously ill and/or use an at-home oxygen concentrator or kidney dialysis machine, the Queensland Government provides the Electricity Life Support Concession, which helps cover the electricity cost of running these machines.
To learn more, please visit the Queensland Government website.
About the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme (HEEAS)
The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme is designed to assist Queensland residents facing a short-term financial crisis or an unforeseen emergency in paying their electricity and gas bills. Eligible customers may receive a one-time emergency assistance payment every two years.
To qualify for this scheme, you must be the Primary Account Holder on the Pacific Blue account and meet one of the following criteria:
- Possess a current Government Issued concession card.
- Have an income equal to or less than the Australian Government's maximum income rate for part age pensioners.
- Be enrolled in the hardship program or on a payment plan.
To check your eligibility or apply for the HEEAS, please call Pacific Blue on 133 669 between 8 am and 6 pm (AET) from Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.
To learn more about the HEAAS, click here.