In order to fight the rising costs of energy, the Australian government has initiated the largest energy relief scheme to date: the $790 Electricity Relief Grant, officially disbursed in April 2025. These measures are intended to provide essential support to households across Australia in the millions by further supplementing their budget towards covering exorbitant electricity expenses.
General Prospects of the $790 Electricity Grant: The grant is a one-time, one-off payment, which will be managed by the Department of Energy and Climate Transition (DECT) and disbursed via either MyGov or direct deposit.
Key Eligibility Criteria:
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must be an Australian resident with a valid Medicare card |
| Property | Must apply to your primary residence (not investment properties) |
| Income Limit | Under $120,000 (individuals) or $180,000 (couples) |
| Electricity Account | Must be active in your name by January 15, 2025 |
| Billing Requirement | At least one bill paid between July 2024 and March 2025 |
Additionally, recipients of specific Centrelink benefits are automatically qualified:
- Age Pension
- JobSeeker Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Family Tax Benefit (Part A and B)
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Payment Schedule: April–May 2025
The rollout of the payments began April 1, 2025, with a phased approach:
| Date Range | Who Receives Payment |
|---|---|
| April 5–12 | Automatic payments to government benefit recipients |
| April 13–20 | Pre-approved applicants who applied before March 15 |
| April 21–30 | Approved applicants who applied between March 16–31 |
| May 1–15 | Late applications and special cases |
Funds will be dispersed mid-April to over 65% of eligible households.
How to Check Your Claim Status
Stay on top with any information you want through these official tools:
- Open up the MyGov portal.
- Type in your login details.
- Hover over the “Services” option and click the Energy Relief Program.
- Click Check Application Status.
- Energy Relief Program App
- Compatible with Android and iOS.
- Push notifications provide status updates.
- Phone Checks
Call 1800-ENERGY (1800-363-749) with your Tax File Number and date of birth.
Support in Person
Bring your ID and walk into a Services Australia centre near you for assistance.
Understanding Application Status
When reviewing your claim, you may see one of the following messages:
| Status Message | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Approved – Payment Scheduled | Payment is approved and date confirmed |
| Under Review | Application is being assessed |
| Additional Information Required | Action needed before processing continues |
| Payment Issued | Funds have been sent |
| Ineligible | You did not meet eligibility criteria |
Application Problems and Fixes
Some applications may experience delays, due to:
Bank Account Errors
The payment is delayed due to incorrect as well as outdated banking details which need to be updated through MyGov or phone.
Identity Verification
An additional 3-require ID check in most applicants. Follow instruction via MyGov or email.
Duplicate Applications
Only one application is allowed you per household. This is done automatically by DECT in identifying the household’s main electricity account holder.
Address Verification
Some applicants may have many different properties and might have to upload a recent utility bill to confirm their primary residence.
Special Cases that are Covered
The program provides flexibility to households that face some certain unique challenges:
- Remote Areas: Relaxed documentation requirements
- Recent Migrants: This includes an alternate ID method in lieu of residency entered after July 2024.
- Natural Disaster Victims: Expedite Processing
- Off-grid Homes: These leave the requirement for other energy arrangements.
These cases are then reviewed by dedicated teams to be fast-tracked.
Fraud Prevention Measures
DECT has advanced top-tier fraud protections as follows:
- Cross checks using the ATO and property records
- Electricity account validations
- AI-facilitated fraud detection
- Random post-payment audits
Blocked fraud claims to the tune of over $32 million.
What Is Next After the $790 Grant?
Additional energy assistance programs are slated for late 2025, including:
- Home energy efficiency rebates
- Solar subsidies for renters
- Electricity relief programs for small businesses
- Community energy independence programs
Details will be given in the forth coming August 2025 Federal Budget.
The $790 Electricity Relief Grant is a timely intervention that alleviates some financial burden for citizens coping with increased energy costs. Payments are underway in April 2025, and most eligible Australians should see the funds deposited in their accounts within the week.
We encourage applicants to regularly check their claim status on the MyGov website or mobile app or by calling 1800-ENERGY.
FAQS:
Who automatically qualifies for the $790 grant for electricity subsidy?
Pensioners, JobSeeker recipients, and Family Tax Benefit recipients automatically qualify.
What do I do if my payment is not made by the end of April?
Check your application status through MyGov or call 1800-ENERGY for assistance.
Can I still apply even though I missed the March 31 deadline?
Given special circumstances, late applications are processed from May 1-15.