The $250 Power Saving Bonus will be re-opened to all eligible Victorian households from March 24, including those that received payments under previous rounds, when they visit the government’s bill-busting Victorian Energy Compare website.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians were doing it tough with the rising cost of energy.
“That’s why we’ll have a new round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus, putting money in families’ pockets and making sure they’re on the best deal,” he said.
“We’re driving down bills and putting power back in Victorians’ hands by bringing back the SEC and delivering cheap, clean, sustainable energy.”
Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said big power companies relied on people not having the time, information or knowledge to save money.
“We know better deals are out there — and we’re helping Victorian families find them,” she said.
“We’re helping Victorians with immediate bill relief through the Power Saving Bonus and driving down the cost of living through our rebates for solar, hot water and Victorian Energy Upgrades program.”
Since the current round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus launched on July 1, 2022, more than 1.7 million households have received the nation-leading cost of living support.
Applications for the payment can be made through the Victorian Energy Compare website, where customers can quickly and easily find the best energy offers in their areas, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.
Victoria has cut its emissions by more than any other state, tripled the amount of renewable energy and created thousands of clean energy jobs. But there is more to do, and that is why the government has set a renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035.
To help meet this target, the government is reviving the State Electricity Commission and bringing back government-owned renewable energy to drive down energy costs and help create 59,000 jobs.
It is also reducing cost of living stress through the new Energy Assistance Program, a free service providing energy consumers experiencing hardship with one-on-one assistance.
The Energy Assistance Program is a $3.75 million initiative that will help Victorians struggling with power bills to navigate the energy market, apply for eligible grants and concessions, find and switch to better offers and address billing errors.
For those without internet access, over-the-phone and in-person support is available through community outreach partners, including Brotherhood of St Laurence, Ethnic Community Council Victoria, Good Shepherd, State Trustees and hundreds of Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.
The government is also helping Victorians save on their household energy bills through the $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program by installing solar PV systems, batteries, solar hot water and heat pumps.
To access the $250 Power Saving Bonus, visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 000 832. To speak to an Energy Assistance Program advocate, phone 1800 161 215.
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