Energy credit to relieve cost of living pressures on WA households

  • Cook Government delivers first instalment of the Household Electricity Credit
  • Minimum of $200 credited to every household across the State from today
  • Further $200 credit to come in the November-December billing cycle
  • Energy credit to help ease cost of living pressures amid global economic challenges

The Cook Government is delivering on its commitment to provide cost of living support to Western Australians, with a minimum $200 credit being applied to household electricity bills starting today.

As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the WA Labor Government announced a $400 Household Electricity Credit, to be delivered to every household across the State over two instalments, as well as additional relief for those who need it most.

Synergy and Horizon Power electricity accounts have now been automatically credited $200, reducing power bills in the July-August billing cycle.

A second instalment of the credit will benefit households in the November to December billing cycle, providing a further minimum $200 off power bills.

The 2023 Household Electricity Credit comprises of:

  • a minimum $400 for all residential households, split over two $200 instalments;
  • $500 for around 350,000 vulnerable WA households receiving the Energy Assistance Payment, split over two $250 instalments; and
  • $650 for small businesses who use up to 50MWh of electricity per annum.

The Household Electricity Credit is part of the WA Labor Government’s $715 million cost of living package in the 2023-24 Budget, with electricity credits for vulnerable households and small businesses partly supported by the jointly funded National Energy Bill Relief Fund, with an estimated $116 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government.

For more information about the Household Electricity Credit visit: Electricity credit available for Western Australians (www.wa.gov.au)

As stated by Premier Roger Cook:

“We know many WA families are doing it tough with recent interest rate rises and cost of living pressures, that’s why my Government is proud to help by providing relief on electricity bills.

“Our strong and stable financial management means we can invest in what matters to Western Australians – and that means delivering real cost of living relief for families and households across the State.

“Every single WA household will benefit from this credit – and we’re providing extra support for those most in need.

“This across-the-board rebate of at least $200 comes in the peak of winter and will support families and businesses with their heating costs, and the second instalment will provide relief in the upcoming warmer months.”

As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:

“We’ve worked hard to put our State in a strong financial position, which allows us to support people with the current cost of living pressures and global economic impacts.

“The Household Electricity Credit is part of this Government’s $715 million package in the State Budget to support households and small business.

“We have also kept any increases in household fees and charges to 2.4 per cent, which is well below the projected level of inflation.”

As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:

“I am proud to be part of a Government that understands what is important to WA families, such as being able to pay household bills.

“In WA, our electricity prices are much lower than the double-digit percentage increases being imposed on households on the east coast.

“We are all benefitting from the WA Labor Government’s decision to keep our electricity assets in public hands.”

/Public Release. View in full here.