Rising electricity costs remain a major concern for Australian households as cost-of-living pressures continue into 2026. Over the past two years, millions of households received automatic energy bill credits that helped soften the impact of higher power prices. As those measures wind down, many Australians are asking an important question: who will continue to get automatic energy bill savings in 2026, Centrelink recipients or everyone else, and how much will those savings be?
The answer depends on whether support comes from federal programs or state-based concessions, and whether you receive government payments through Centrelink.
Why Energy Bill Support Is Changing After 2025
The Australian Government introduced temporary energy relief measures during a period of rapid price increases. These rebates were designed as short-term cost-of-living support rather than permanent discounts. As of now, the federal energy rebate program is scheduled to end on 31 December 2025, with no confirmed automatic extension into 2026.
This has created confusion, especially for households that became used to seeing credits automatically applied to their electricity bills without needing to apply.
Who Received Automatic Energy Bill Savings in 2025
During 2025, automatic energy bill relief applied broadly across Australia. Most households with a separately metered electricity account received bill credits automatically through their energy retailer.
Importantly, this support was not limited to Centrelink recipients. Whether you were on a pension, receiving family payments, or earning a private income, eligibility was based mainly on having an eligible electricity account rather than your income source.
How Centrelink and Non-Centrelink Households Differ
While the federal rebate applied widely, Centrelink recipients often received additional savings on top of the automatic credits. This is because people receiving certain payments or holding concession cards can also access state and territory energy concessions.
Non-Centrelink households generally received only the federal rebate, while Centrelink households could combine federal and state assistance, resulting in higher total savings across the year.
How Much Energy Bill Relief Was Available Before 2026
In 2025, typical savings looked very different depending on household status and location:
• Standard households with eligible electricity accounts received up to $150 in automatic federal bill credits
• Centrelink and concession card holders often received the same federal rebate plus state-based concessions that could add hundreds of dollars per year depending on location
• Embedded network customers could still receive rebates but sometimes needed additional steps through their provider
This difference explains why Centrelink households often saw much larger reductions in their annual electricity costs compared with non-Centrelink households.
What Happens to Automatic Energy Savings in 2026
As things stand, there is no confirmed federal automatic energy bill rebate for 2026. The federal relief scheme is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2025, meaning households should not automatically expect bill credits to continue unless a new policy is announced.
This affects both Centrelink and non-Centrelink households equally at the federal level. Without a new program, energy retailers will no longer apply automatic government credits to electricity bills in 2026.
State and Territory Concessions Still Matter
Although federal rebates may end, state and territory energy concessions are separate programs and often continue independently of federal decisions. These concessions are usually targeted at pensioners, seniors, carers, and low-income households.
For Centrelink recipients who hold eligible concession cards, these state-based rebates can still provide ongoing energy bill savings in 2026, even without federal support. Non-Centrelink households generally do not qualify for these concessions unless they meet specific income or hardship criteria.
Centrelink Recipients in 2026: What to Expect
If you receive Centrelink payments such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, or Carer Payment, your energy bill savings in 2026 are likely to come primarily from state-based concessions, not federal rebates.
These savings may be applied automatically once your concession card is linked to your energy account, but the amount depends heavily on where you live and the specific program available in your state or territory.
Non-Centrelink Households in 2026
For households not receiving Centrelink payments, energy bill savings in 2026 will largely depend on market competition, retailer discounts, and personal energy usage rather than government rebates.
Without federal automatic credits, non-Centrelink households may see higher electricity bills unless they actively shop around for better energy plans or reduce consumption.
Why This Difference Exists
Energy concessions are designed to protect vulnerable households from energy stress. Governments prioritise pensioners and low-income families because energy costs consume a larger share of their income. As a result, Centrelink recipients are more likely to continue receiving some form of energy support even when broad-based relief ends.
What Australians Should Do Before and During 2026
Households should review their electricity bills carefully as federal rebates end. Centrelink recipients should ensure their concession card details are correctly linked with their energy provider to avoid missing out on state concessions.
Non-Centrelink households may benefit from comparing energy plans, checking usage patterns, and taking advantage of retailer discounts or energy-efficiency upgrades to offset rising costs.
Conclusion
In 2026, the difference between Centrelink and non-Centrelink households becomes more pronounced when it comes to energy bill savings. Automatic federal energy bill rebates are not currently confirmed to continue, meaning most households will no longer receive universal bill credits. Centrelink recipients, however, are more likely to keep receiving energy savings through state and territory concession programs, while non-Centrelink households will need to rely on market options and personal energy management. Understanding where your support comes from is essential for budgeting and planning as Australia moves into a new energy cost environment.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace official government advice. Energy rebates and concessions may change based on future policy decisions.
