Energy Supplement Australia 2025-26: Rates, Eligibility & How to Calculate Your Payment
Published 3 July 2026 · 8 min read
Quick Answer
The Energy Supplement is a fortnightly payment from Services Australia that helps eligible concession recipients with energy costs. For FY 2025-26, singles receiving a pension can receive up to $14.10 per fortnight and couples up to $21.20 per fortnight combined. New applicants for certain payments after specific dates may not be eligible — the supplement was grandfathered from 20 September 2016 for many payment types.
What Is the Energy Supplement?
The Energy Supplement is an ongoing payment introduced by the Australian Government in 2014 to replace the Carbon Tax Compensation that was previously bundled into certain Centrelink payments and Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) pensions. It is designed to help recipients with the cost of electricity, gas, and other household energy bills.
Unlike a one-off energy rebate or bonus, the Energy Supplement is paid fortnightly as part of your regular Centrelink or DVA payment. The amount is indexed annually on 20 March and 20 September in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), though the rate has been effectively frozen for several years following government decisions to pause indexation.
The supplement is tax-free and does not need to be declared in your annual tax return. It is also exempt from the Centrelink income test, meaning it will not reduce any other payments you receive. Use our take-home pay calculator to see how your employment income stacks up alongside government support.
Energy Supplement Rates for FY 2025-26
The Energy Supplement rate depends on the type of payment you receive and your family situation. Below are the current fortnightly rates for FY 2025-26.
| Recipient Type | Energy Supplement (per fortnight) | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Single — pension (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, etc.) | $14.10 | $366.60 |
| Couple combined — pension payments | $21.20 | $551.20 |
| Single — allowance payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment) | $8.80 | $228.80 |
| Couple combined — allowance payments | $14.50 | $377.00 |
| Single — FTB Part A (per child) | $7.90 | $205.40 |
| DVA pension (single veteran) | $14.10 | $366.60 |
To calculate how the Energy Supplement fits into your total household income, use our income tax calculator — the supplement is non-taxable, so it won't affect your tax bracket.
Who Is Eligible for the Energy Supplement?
Eligibility for the Energy Supplement depends on when you first claimed your qualifying payment. This is because the supplement was "grandfathered" — meaning new recipients of certain payments after a specific date no longer receive it.
You are eligible for the Energy Supplement if you receive one of the following qualifying payments and were receiving it on or before the relevant cut-off date:
| Qualifying Payment | Grandfather Cut-Off Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension | 20 September 2016 | New Age Pension applicants after this date still receive the Energy Supplement |
| Disability Support Pension | 20 September 2016 | DSP applicants after this date still receive the supplement |
| Carer Payment | 20 September 2016 | Still included for new grants |
| JobSeeker Payment | 20 September 2016 | Grandfathered — new claimants do not receive it |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) | 20 September 2016 | Grandfathered — new claimants do not receive it |
| Parenting Payment | 20 September 2016 | Grandfathered — new claimants do not receive it |
| Family Tax Benefit Part A | 20 September 2016 | Grandfathered — new claimants do not receive it |
| DVA Pensions | 20 September 2016 | Service Pension and Income Support Supplement recipients |
The key takeaway: if you started receiving JobSeeker, Youth Allowance (as a job seeker), Parenting Payment, or FTB Part A after 20 September 2016, you will not receive the Energy Supplement. However, pension-type payments (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment) still include the supplement for new grants.
How the Energy Supplement Is Paid
The Energy Supplement is not a separate payment — it is automatically included in your regular Centrelink or DVA fortnightly payment. You do not need to apply for it separately or fill out any additional forms. If you are eligible, the amount appears as a line item on your Centrelink payment statement.
The supplement is paid on the same schedule as your main payment. For example, if you receive the Age Pension on a Monday, your Energy Supplement will be included in that same payment. The amount varies if your circumstances change — for instance, moving from single to partnered status will change your rate.
Because the Energy Supplement is non-taxable, it does not affect your Medicare Levy obligations or your HECS-HELP repayment calculations. These are based only on your taxable income.
Energy Supplement vs Other Energy Assistance
The Energy Supplement is different from state-based energy rebates and one-off government payments. It is an ongoing, indexed, fortnightly payment that forms part of your regular Centrelink entitlement.
Additional energy assistance you may be eligible for includes:
- State energy rebates — each state and territory offers its own energy concessions (e.g., NSW Energy Rebate, Victoria's Power Saving Bonus, QLD Electricity Rebate)
- Seniors Energy Rebate — a one-off annual payment for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders
- Low Income Household Rebate — available in various states for concession card holders
- Medical Energy Rebate — for households with specific medical needs requiring higher energy use
These state-based rebates are separate from the Commonwealth Energy Supplement and can often be claimed in addition to it. Check your state government's energy website for available concessions in your area.
Energy Supplement and Your Tax Return
Because the Energy Supplement is classified as a non-taxable payment, you do not need to declare it in your annual tax return. It will not appear on your Centrelink income statement, and it has no effect on your tax assessment.
This is an important distinction — other government payments like JobSeeker and Parenting Payment are taxable and must be declared. The Energy Supplement is not. If you are working while receiving these payments, only your employment income is subject to tax.
For a full picture of your tax situation, use our take-home pay calculator to see your net income after tax and the Medicare levy. You can also explore salary sacrifice options to reduce your taxable income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Energy Supplement taxable?
No. The Energy Supplement is a non-taxable payment from Services Australia and DVA. You do not need to declare it in your tax return.
Do new Centrelink applicants still get the Energy Supplement?
It depends on the payment type. Age Pension, DSP, and Carer Payment new grants still include the Energy Supplement. However, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, and FTB Part A were grandfathered on 20 September 2016 — new claimants for these payments do not receive it.
How much is the Energy Supplement for a single pensioner?
For FY 2025-26, a single pensioner receiving the Age Pension, DSP, or Carer Payment receives $14.10 per fortnight as the Energy Supplement ($366.60 per year).
Can I get the Energy Supplement and other energy rebates?
Yes. The Energy Supplement is a Commonwealth payment that can be received alongside state-based energy rebates like the NSW Energy Rebate, Victoria's Power Saving Bonus, and other state concessions. Check with your state government for additional assistance.
Does the Energy Supplement affect my other Centrelink payments?
No. The Energy Supplement is exempt from the Centrelink income test. It does not reduce your base payment or any other supplementary payments you receive.
For more Australian financial tools, check our superannuation calculator to see how your super grows over time, or our Age Pension calculator to estimate your retirement support.