The heat is on—literally. With summer temperatures soaring, electricity bills are creeping higher. But there’s some help on the way for eligible Australians, though time is running out.
Electricity Bill Relief: How To Claim Your $100 Bonus
For eligible households in Victoria, the state government is offering a $100 Power Saving Bonus to ease the pain of rising energy costs. The scheme, now in its second round, is designed to assist vulnerable households struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living. With only a few weeks left before the program ends on March 31, 2026, many are being urged to apply for the financial relief while they can.
Though it may seem like a small amount, that $100 can make a real difference, especially as power bills are expected to jump by more than 20% this year. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the increase could mean an additional $500 in annual energy costs for the average family, reports Yahoo Finance. For many households already pinching pennies, any bit of relief is welcome.
How To Claim Your $100
To claim the rebate, all eligible residents need is a recent electricity bill and a valid concession card. This includes cards like healthcare, pensioner, or veterans’ affairs concession cards. The application process can be completed online through the Victorian Energy Compare website, and the funds will be paid directly to the electricity supplier, reducing the amount owing.
Since the scheme opened in August 2025, over 245,000 households have already benefited, with the state government doling out a total of $24.5 million in relief. Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources, stressed the importance of claiming the bonus before the March 31 deadline: “Families are doing it tough, and this is a simple way to lighten the load,” she said.
Rising Energy Costs
The end of the federal government’s $75 per quarter subsidy for power bills, which expired in December 2025, means households will bear the full brunt of the energy price increase. Prices are expected to rise by 24% from November 2025 to July 2026, further stretching already tight household budgets.
The timing of these rising costs couldn’t be worse, as Australians face soaring inflation, higher grocery bills, and ongoing housing affordability issues. Yet, despite the overwhelming pressure on families, experts argue that schemes like the Power Saving Bonus offer essential, if temporary, financial relief.
Why It Matters
While the Power Saving Bonus isn’t a long-term solution to Australia’s rising energy prices, it provides some breathing room for those who need it most. The question remains: will this be enough? As global economic conditions continue to fluctuate, many Australians are left wondering how they can weather the storm of mounting living costs.
The government’s next challenge will be ensuring that support mechanisms like this continue—and expand—especially as the cost of living keeps rising.
