How to Access Government Cost of Living Rebates and Concessions

With many of us feeling the pinch as the cost of living escalates, each Aussie state is supporting residents with rebates, discounts, and concessions – as are some businesses like banks and energy companies. From back-to-school savings to motoring incentives, our guide explains some of the benefits you need to know about and how to access them.

Energy and utilities

As energy costs spiral, Australian households may be entitled to help with bills. The ACT offers a $750 annual Utilities Concession for eligible residents. QLD offers electricity and gas rebates. NSW has multiple support plans, including Low-Income Household Rebates and Family Energy Rebates. Low-income Victorians can receive energy concessions as can South Australia residents.

Members of the Northern Territory Concession Scheme can claim a concession on household electricity, water and sewerage costs. Tasmanian residents may be able to access an annual electricity concession.

Many of the energy retailers like Origin and Energy Australia are providing added benefits to their customers too – so if you haven’t reviewed your energy plan, it may be timely to do so.

Motoring and transport

There is support out there to help you get from A to B. NSW offers multiple generous benefits for driving, including Toll Relief and Discounted License Renewal. QLD has bus, rail, taxi, vehicle, and ferry concessions. Northern Territory Concession Scheme members can get a free renewal on their driver's licence and up to $154 per annum for vehicle registration.

Victorian concession card holders can reduce their car registration fee by half and purchase concession fares on Victorian public transport services. Under the ACT’s Sustainable Household Scheme, residents may be entitled to access up to $15,000 to buy a zero-emissions vehicle. South Australia also offers EV incentives and subsidies.

Recreation and leisure

Make the most of your free time by taking advantage of the governmental help available for recreation. Activities. When NSW residents renew their registration online, they get National Parks discounts. The Creative Kids scheme gives parents, guardians, and carers a $100 voucher to put towards activities.

Victorian concession card holders receive discounts to regional attractions like zoos, the National Gallery of Victoria, State galleries and Museum Victoria. Eligible concession holders in Tasmania receive discounts to National Parks and other historic sites.

Health

Make healthcare costs more manageable with these helpful concessions. The ACT Spectacles Subsidy Scheme provides eligible ACT residents with a subsidy of up to $200 once every two years towards glasses. In NSW, there is a Life Support Energy Rebate, Medical Energy Rebate, NSW Spectacles Program and Pre-IVF Fertility Testing Rebate available.

Queensland has an array of medical concessions for dental, optical and hearing issues. Victorian concession card holders can access affordable dental services, help towards eye care and glasses, and pharmaceutical discounts. South Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme makes over 2,500 medicines more affordable, while GlassesSA helps South Australians obtain low-cost glasses. Tasmanian concession card holders may be able to access discounted dental services and medications.

In addition, if you haven’t looked at your health insurance rebates lately, there may be some extras you can claim there too.

Banking

Outside of government schemes, banks like Westpac and CBA are offering a range of customer benefits from cashbacks on health insurance, discounted mobile phone and NBN plans to discounts from selected retailers. It may be worth taking the time to see what benefits your bank is offering and considering switching based on the added benefits.

To find out in detail what benefits and support you could be entitled to, here is a state-by-state list of government concessions sites. Many of which have handy calculators and quizzes to easily establish which benefits may be available to you.

Australian Capital Territory Community Assistance

Northern Territory Concessions and payments

North South Wales Savings Finder

South Australia Concessions

Western Australia Concessions

Victoria Concessions and Benefits

Tasmania Discounts and Concessions

Queensland Concessions

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