• As many as 270,000 eligible Queenslanders could be missing out on $1072 electricity bonus.
• Queensland seniors and concession card holders urged to check with their electricity provider.
• $1,072 cost of living rebates available for eligible seniors, veterans and concession card holders.

The Palaszczuk Government is urging Queenslanders to check with friends and family to see if they are one of the estimated 270,000 Queenslanders who could be missing out on additional cost-of-living assistance.

The community is invited to do what Queenslanders do best, and support each other by spreading the word about the additional electricity rebate for vulnerable households.

This includes a potential*:

• 70,164 in Brisbane and surrounds
• 13,593 in Cairns
• 12,483 in Central Queensland
• 34,270 on the Gold Coast
• 24,078 in the Moreton Bay
• 21,962 on the Sunshine Coast
• 12,588 in Townsville
• 17,591 in Wide Bay

Queenslanders with a seniors, veterans or concession card are being urged to contact their electricity provider to ensure any eligible rebates are applied to their account.

The 2023 State Budget included an additional $700 electricity rebate for vulnerable households, on top of the existing $372 concession.

This brings the total rebate to $1,072 for those eligible.

All Queensland households will receive a $550 rebate automatically applied to their electricity bill in quarterly instalments this financial year.

Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the Queensland Electricity Rebate should contact their energy provider.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni:

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud of the support we are providing to vulnerable households, and we don’t want anyone who is eligible to miss out.

“If your Mum, Dad, grandparent, neighbour or friend could be eligible, check in to see if they are aware of what they could be claiming.

“It’s as simple as calling your energy provider and registering your seniors, veterans or concessions card to your account.

“Our Government set aside $1.483 billion for extra electricity bill support in this budget, to help households and small businesses facing cost-of-living pressures.

“It’s the biggest electricity bill support package of any state or territory - and more than doubles the size of the Federally-agreed support package for Queensland under the National Energy Bill Relief Fund.

“I encourage every household to check if they’re eligible and, if they are, to apply for the Queensland Electricity Rebate to ensure they receive up to $1072 in rebates.”

“It’s our progressive coal royalties that mean we can deliver this generous rebate to help Queenslanders feeling the financial pinch, and it’s those same coal royalties that are putting money back in the pockets of Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Craig Crawford:

"This is about helping Queenslanders through the rising cost of living, and making sure our vulnerable and senior residents are well looked after.

"It's important every eligible Queenslander knows what they need to do to access this generous rebate, and I would urge everyone to contact their parents, grandparents and any elderly members in their family and community to let them know about this great initiative."

Further information:

To be eligible for a Seniors Card or Seniors Card+go you must be:

• 65 years or older and working less than 35 hours a week in paid employment, OR
• 60–64 years, working less than 35 hours a week in paid employment and the holder of 1 of the below:
  • Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card*
  • Commonwealth Health Care Card*
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange card.

Additional household and business support measures in the 2023-24 Budget include:

• Over $500 million per annum to continue uniform tariffs so that Queenslanders living in regional areas pay similar prices for their electricity as people living in south-east Queensland.

• Queensland small to medium sized businesses will benefit from $35 million over three years to support them to reduce their electricity bills while $6.2 million will deliver ongoing support for regional businesses impacted by the phase-out of obsolete tariffs in 2021.
• The Queensland Budget also sets aside $5 million to provide Queensland farmers with relief from fixed charges for pumping water during periods of drought.
• To check if you’re eligible for the $1,072 rebate, visit: https://www.concessionsfinder.services.qld.gov.au