Western Australian households and small businesses are set to benefit from a one-off electricity credit, jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.
The initiative aims to deliver cost of living relief, with the rollout to begin in August 2024.
The Western Australian Government’s 2024–25 State Budget included $492 million to deliver a $400 electricity credit to all households and to more than 90,000 small businesses, and the Federal Government’s 2024–25 Budget included a further $300 credit for households and $325 for small businesses.
The initiatives will be combined, with a $700 credit to roll out to every Western Australian household and a $725 credit for small businesses with annual electricity consumption below 50MW hours, across two instalments.
The first instalment – $350 for households and $362.50 for small businesses – will begin appearing on power bills in the July–August billing cycle. The second instalment is expected to be applied in the December–January billing cycle.
For households and small businesses that do not have an account with Synergy or Horizon Power, applications for assistance are expected to open in July through RevenueWA and the Small Business Development Corporation.
For households requiring additional support, including pensioners, veterans and Health Care Card holders, further help is available through the Energy Assistance Payment, increasing total support to more than $1,000, while for families with eligible concessions, more than $1,300 in support is available including the Dependent Child Rebate.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said, “Delivering cost of living relief is our top priority, and together with the Federal Government, we’re ensuring every household in Western Australia receives a record electricity credit this year.
“Our responsible financial management means we can invest in what matters to Western Australia, without leaving behind a mountain of debt.
“My government is looking at all options to help Western Australians with cost of living pressures, because we’ll always do what’s right for Western Australia.”
Federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said, “We’re working closely with the Western Australian Government to ease the cost of living for Western Australians and energy rebates for households and small businesses are an important part of our efforts.
“The primary focus of our economic plan and our Budget is to ease pressure on Western Australians and put downward pressure on inflation.
“”We know that many Western Australians are under pressure, and the extension and expansion of our energy rebates will deliver more cost of living help to more people who need it.”
Western Australian Treasurer, Rita Saffioti, said, “We’ve always made it clear that providing cost of living relief to Chalmers households and businesses is a major focus for the State Government.
“We’re really proud to have delivered a fourth electricity credit in this year’s Budget, saving families at least $2,100 and small businesses more than $4,300 over the last four years.
“These initiatives put more money back in the pockets of households.”
Image credit: Krisana Antharith/Shutterstock.com.
