Step-by-Step: Applying for the $100 Power Saving Bonus Online
Rising energy costs have long weighed heavily on many Australian households—skimping on air conditioning use and carefully rationing electrical appliances have become the norm for quite a few. Fortunately, the Victorian Government has announced a new round of benefits: a $100 Power Saving Bonus to help you cut down your energy bills in a tangible way.
However, this benefit comes with clear eligibility criteria and isn’t available to everyone. Don’t worry—this guide will sort everything out for you: Who qualifies for the bonus? How can you successfully claim the money? It will also include practical energy-saving tips, truly easing the pressure on your energy expenses.
What Is the $100 Power Saving Bonus?
In recent years, Australia’s energy market has experienced frequent price fluctuations, and household energy bills in Victoria have continued to rise, placing significant financial pressure on low- and middle-income groups. To address this, the Victorian Government has introduced the $100 Power Saving Bonus, a targeted energy subsidy program. Building on previous initiatives like the $250 energy-saving bonus, this $100 Power Saving Bonus serves as a supplementary measure in the 2025-26 budget, with three core objectives:
Provide direct cash subsidies to eligible households to ease short-term energy expenses.
Guide residents to explore energy-saving solutions through official platforms (such as the Victorian Energy Compare website) to optimize long-term energy consumption patterns.
Effectively alleviate the living cost burden for vulnerable groups (e.g., pensioners, low-income families).
Key Details and Distribution Methods
Subsidy Amount: A one-time payment of $100, issued directly to the applicant’s account. It does not need to be deducted from energy bills and can be used freely.
Eligibility Scope: Limited to Victorian residents who meet specific criteria (e.g., holding a government-approved concession card, not having received similar subsidies before, etc.).
Implementation Date: Officially launched on August 25, 2025.
Application Channels: Primarily through the official designated platform (Victorian Energy Compare website) for online submission. For those unable to access the internet, assistance is available via partnering community organizations. The process is streamlined, with review and payment typically completed within 1-2 weeks.
Alignment with Other Energy Policies
This program is not standalone but an integral part of Victoria’s “Household Energy Support System.” For example:
It works in tandem with the “energy price cap” policy, combining short-term subsidies with long-term price controls to comprehensively ease household energy pressures.
When applicants receive the bonus, they also get personalized energy-saving advice (e.g., replacing appliances with energy-efficient models, optimizing heating/cooling habits, etc.), encouraging households to shift from “passively accepting subsidies” to “proactively practicing energy conservation.”
In short, the $100 Power Saving Bonus is both a direct financial subsidy and a key tool for the government to guide residents toward energy efficiency and sustainable energy consumption. It helps households reduce their burden while gradually decreasing reliance on high-energy-consuming practices.
What Is the Power Saving Bonus Program?
The Power Saving Bonus is an energy subsidy program launched by the Victorian Government of Australia, aimed at helping residents ease the pressure of living costs and encouraging optimized energy consumption. Between July 2018 and March 2023, the program was rolled out in four rounds. Details are as follows:
Round 1 (July 1, 2018—June 30, 2020): Provided a one-time A$50 subsidy to eligible Victorian households.
Round 2 (February 1, 2021—June 30, 2022): Issued a one-time A$250 subsidy to Victorian households holding concession cards.
Round 3 (July 1, 2022—March 23, 2023): Offered a one-time A$250 subsidy to eligible Victorian households.
Round 4 (March 24, 2023—August 31, 2023): Covered all Victorian households with a one-time A$250 subsidy.
$100 Power Saving Bonus vs. Federal Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund: What’s the Difference?
The $100 Power Saving Bonus in Victoria and the federal government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund differ significantly in terms of implementing bodies, eligible recipients, subsidy forms, policy objectives, and more. Here’s a detailed comparison:
Criteria | $100 Power Saving Bonus (Victorian State Program) | Energy Bill Relief Fund (Federal Government Program) |
Implementing Body & Funding Source | Launched independently by the Victorian State Government, funded by the 2025-26 state budget, and directly managed through the Victorian Energy Compare website. | Led by the federal government with A$3.3 billion in dedicated funding; implemented after states/territories negotiate allocation plans with the federal government. |
Eligible Recipients & Qualifications | Limited to Victorian households holding concession cards (e.g., pensioners, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders), must be residential energy account holders. | Covers a broader range, including: -Concession card/healthcare card holders; -Recipients of Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A/B; -Carer Allowance recipients. |
Subsidy Amount & Form | One-time cash payment of A$100, deposited directly into bank accounts, freely usable. | Disbursed as bill credits: -2024-25 financial year: A$75 per quarter for households (A$300 annually); one-time A$325 for small businesses; -2025-26 financial year: Two additional A$75 credits for households (total A$150). |
Policy Objectives & Additional Measures | Short-term relief for living costs, long-term guidance on energy conservation: -Encourages exploring energy-saving solutions via official platforms; -Promotes high-efficiency appliances (e.g., heat pumps, solar systems) to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources. | Focuses on immediate financial relief to help households and small businesses cope with rising energy prices; no mandatory energy-saving requirements. Some states (e.g., Victoria) may align it with local efficiency policies. |
Application Process & Timeline | -Application Period: Opens August 25, 2025, via the Victorian Energy Compare website. -Processing Time: Approximately 10 business days for review; funds disbursed within 2-3 weeks of approval. | -Automatic Disbursement: No application required; credits applied automatically by energy retailers. -Timeline: 2024-25 subsidies began in July 2024; 2025-26 credits extend through December 2025. |
Can They Be Combined? | Yes, eligible households can receive both federal bill credits and the state cash bonus (e.g., up to A$250 in total relief for concession card holders in 2025). | Same as above; compatible with state-level programs for combined benefits. |
As can be clearly seen from the table, the core differences between the two lie in:
State-level program ($100 Power Saving Bonus): Provides direct cash subsidies to specific groups, with a strong emphasis on energy conservation guidance—encouraging households to learn about energy-saving solutions through official platforms and prompting them to proactively optimize energy consumption.
Federal program (Energy Bill Relief Fund): Covers a broader population through bill credits, focusing on short-term financial support to directly ease energy expenditure pressures.
The two programs can be used in combination, offering multi-layered relief for energy costs to Victorian households. Eligible families are advised to first obtain automatic electricity bill reductions through the federal fund, then apply for additional cash subsidies under the state-level program to maximize policy benefits.
What Are Practical Ways for Households to Save Energy?
In Australia, saving energy not only helps reduce household expenses but also minimizes environmental impact. Below are some practical methods tailored to the local climate and lifestyle, covering household electricity use, heating/cooling, hot water consumption, and more:
Optimizing Household Electricity Use
Using energy-efficient appliances
Choose appliances with an Energy Rating Label, prioritizing those with 4-5 stars or higher (the more stars, the better the energy efficiency). This is especially important for high-power appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines.
Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which consume only 1/8 of the energy and last over 10 times longer.
Reducing standby energy consumption
Turn off appliances completely when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby via the remote control (devices like TVs, set-top boxes, and chargers can still consume 5%-10% of electricity in standby mode).
Use smart power strips to cut off power to multiple devices with one click, avoiding "vampire energy loss."
Using lighting wisely Utilize natural light by opening windows during the day; turn off lights when leaving a room, especially to avoid leaving lights on in unoccupied spaces.
Efficiently Managing Heating and Cooling
Air conditioner usage tips
Set air conditioners to 26-28°C in summer and 18-20°C in winter (each 1°C adjustment up in summer or down in winter can save about 10% of energy).
Clean air conditioner filters regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to ensure efficient heat dissipation/absorption; close doors and windows when using the air conditioner, and use fans to assist air circulation, reducing the AC’s runtime.
Harnessing natural ventilation and insulation
Install insulation materials (e.g., roof insulation, double-glazed windows) to reduce heat exchange between indoors and outdoors (particularly effective in hot summer regions like South Australia and Western Australia).
Open windows for natural ventilation in the evening during summer to cool the house; in winter, close curtains during the day to retain heat and draw thick curtains at night to minimize heat loss.
Saving Hot Water Energy
Water heater settings and maintenance
Set electric water heaters to 60°C (higher temperatures increase energy consumption, while lower temperatures may lead to bacterial growth). Drain scale regularly (1-2 times a year) to improve heating efficiency.
Prioritize solar water heaters (suitable for sunlit areas like Queensland and New South Wales) or heat pump water heaters (3x more energy-efficient than electric ones).
Reducing hot water usage
Shorten shower time (reducing showers from 10 to 5 minutes can save ~50% of hot water).
Wash clothes in cold water (modern detergents work effectively at low temperatures), using hot water only when necessary.
Flexible Use of Portable Power Stations
Portable power stations are efficient tools for meeting temporary electricity needs or reducing grid reliance, ideal for diverse scenarios in Australian households:
Outdoor and emergency use
For outdoor activities like camping or barbecues, use portable power stations to run small appliances (e.g., projectors, mini-fridges, lighting), avoiding traditional generators (which are noisy and polluting). Some models support solar charging (paired with foldable solar panels), enabling full use of clean energy.
During extreme weather (e.g., power outages from storms), they serve as emergency power sources for phones, medical devices (e.g., ventilators), and basic lighting, ensuring essential needs.
Peak-shifting and energy-saving assistance
During peak electricity price periods (e.g., 17:00-21:00 in some areas), use pre-charged portable power stations for low-power devices (e.g., laptops, routers) to reduce grid usage and lower costs.
Choose large-capacity models (1000Wh+) with high conversion rates, and pair them with home solar panels for a "daytime charging, nighttime use" cycle to further improve energy self-sufficiency.
Usage notes
Prioritize lithium-ion portable power stations (lightweight with long cycle life) over lead-acid ones (high energy consumption and maintenance-heavy).
Perform regular charging maintenance (even when not in use, replenish to 50%-70% every 3 months) to extend battery life.
If you want to further reduce household energy expenses while maximizing energy independence, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is an excellent choice.
With its expandable capacity of 4–12kWh, this versatile home backup generator can not only meet the off-peak electricity needs of daily low-power appliances but also integrate efficiently with home solar panels to build an energy cycle of "storing electricity during the day and supplying it at night," fundamentally reducing reliance on the power grid. Whether it is for emergency scenarios such as sudden power outages or reducing energy expenses in the long run, this home backup generator provides solid support for households to move towards energy independence, making it a choice that combines practicality and forward-thinking.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Other Practical Tips
Managing kitchen energy use
Microwaves are more energy-efficient than ovens (saving ~50% electricity for heating the same food). Cover pots when cooking to reduce heat loss.
Avoid frequent door openings for refrigerators; set temperatures to 2-4°C (refrigerator compartment) and -15 to -18°C (freezer compartment), and keep condensers clean.
Harnessing renewable energy
Installing solar panels not only significantly reduces reliance on grid electricity but also allows you to claim solar subsidies in Victoria, achieving the dual benefits of environmental protection and cost savings.
Conclusion
The $100 Power Saving Bonus program—an essential energy rebate—provides tangible support to eligible Victorian households grappling with rising energy costs. By fully understanding the program’s eligibility criteria, combining it with federal relief policies, and adopting the practical energy-saving tips outlined in this article, you can not only significantly ease financial burdens but also gradually develop sustainable lifestyles. Whether it’s optimizing appliance usage, harnessing solar energy, or reducing grid reliance with tools like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station, every step toward smarter energy consumption will strengthen household budgets and lay a solid foundation for long-term energy independence.
FAQs
How to Claim the $100 Power Saving Bonus?
Here’s how to claim the $100 Power Saving Bonus in Victoria:
Confirm eligibility: Victorian residents holding eligible concession cards.
Application channels: You can apply online via the Victorian Energy Compare website, or through community organizations participating in the program.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the $100 Power Saving Bonus will be paid directly to you.
When Does the $100 Power Saving Bonus Program Open for Applications?
Applications for the $100 Power Saving Bonus program will officially open on August 25, 2025. As a livelihood subsidy in the 2025-26 state budget, the opening of applications will provide timely support to households grappling with rising energy costs. Eligible residents are advised to prepare relevant documents in advance to efficiently complete their submissions once applications open, ensuring they don’t miss out on this direct cash subsidy.
Other Livelihood Subsidies in Victoria’s 2025/26 Budget?
Beyond the $100 Power Saving Bonus, Victoria’s 2025/26 budget includes these other key livelihood support measures:
Free public transport for under-18s and seniors: A $320 million allocation will fund free public transport for children and teenagers, plus free statewide travel for seniors on weekends.
Hot water subsidies: Another 27,000 households can apply for subsidies when installing heat pumps or solar hot water systems, helping cut energy costs over the long term.
Expanded pharmacy care: $18 million in funding will allow pharmacists to treat more minor illnesses, saving you the hassle and expense of seeing a GP for common issues.
Support for families with children: Over $1.3 billion will be invested in education support, including free kindergarten (saving families up to $2,600 per child annually), increased "Active Kids" vouchers (valued up to $200), and expanded funding for camps, sports, and excursions—currently providing $400 to 200,000 eligible children.
Stamp duty relief: $61 million has been earmarked to extend stamp duty reductions on apartments, units, and townhouses for another year, making it easier for first-home buyers and downsizers to enter the market.