Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS)
Provides up to $650 for electricity, gas, and water (totalling up to $1,950 every 2 years) directly credited to your utility accounts to prevent disconnection.
- Holds Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession, or DVA Gold Card
- Household has faced unexpected income drop or sudden crisis
- Account holder or partner must be the applicant
- Valid concession or healthcare card number
- Recent gas, electricity, or water tax invoice
- Phone application directly with your energy retailer
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
Provides digital crisis vouchers directly toward residential electricity and gas accounts for NSW residents facing unexpected financial hardship.
- NSW residential energy customer with active account
- Experiencing short-term financial crisis or emergency
- Past due notice or pending disconnection
- MyServiceNSW Account login or phone appointment
- Current electricity or gas bill in applicant name
- Proof of income (Centrelink statement or payslips)
Home Energy Emergency Assistance (HEEAS)
One-off grant for Queensland households experiencing an unforeseen crisis, illness, job loss, or sudden cost-of-living emergency.
- Holds Concession Card, Health Care Card, or low-income status
- Facing sudden financial hardship within the last 12 months
- Electricity account is in applicant's name
- 100 Points of ID (Driver Licence or 18+ Card + Medicare)
- Current Queensland electricity bill (Ergon, Origin, AGL)
- Proof of sudden crisis (receipt, medical note, or bank statement)
Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS)
Direct grant paid to utility providers (Synergy, Horizon, Alinta, Water Corp) to assist Western Australians in severe financial distress.
- Currently in your retailer's hardship program (e.g. Synergy Keeping Connected)
- Facing disconnection or unpaid utility debt
- Holds Concession Card or low-income threshold
- 100 Points of ID (WA Driver Licence + Medicare Card)
- Retailer Hardship Reference Number
- Last 90 days bank transaction history
Energy Concessions & Hardship Grants
Emergency bill assistance via ConcessionsSA and Aurora Energy hardship program to keep families safely connected.
- Permanent resident of SA or TAS
- Holds Pensioner, DVA, or Health Care Card
- Demonstrates inability to meet current billing cycle
- 100 Points of ID (Proof of Age / Licence + Medicare)
- Concession card numbers and expiry date
- Current quarterly electricity / gas tax invoice
No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
Good Shepherd micro-finance for whitegoods, emergency car repairs, medical gear, and household essentials. Zero fees, zero interest, ever.
- Earning under $70,000 (single) or $100,000 (with partner/dependents)
- Or holds a Health Care Card / Pensioner Card
- Capacity to make small repayments (approx $20-$30/fortnight)
- 100 Points of ID (Driver Licence or Passport + Medicare Card)
- Formal written quote for the item or repair
- Proof of address (lease or utility bill) and 90-day bank statements
Centrelink Urgent Advance Payment
Request a portion of your future income support payments in advance to cover an immediate emergency. Repaid gradually with zero interest.
- Received an eligible Centrelink benefit for at least 3 months
- No existing unpaid advance payment currently active
- Able to repay via automatic fortnightly benefit deductions
- myGov login linked to Centrelink or Express Plus app
- Customer Reference Number (CRN)
- Estimate of urgent expense (bill, bond, or essential purchase)
National Debt Helpline (NDH)
Independent not-for-profit financial counsellors who can speak to banks and debt collectors on your behalf to freeze interest and arrange hardship terms.
- Anyone living in Australia facing debt or bill pressure
- Not affiliated with any commercial debt consolidation company
- Available Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:30pm AEST or via live chat
- Summary of current debts or overdue notices
- Estimate of household income and living expenses
- 15-20 minutes for a confidential phone intake
Talking to Utility Providers
Most providers have dedicated hardship teams ready to help. Being connected with them can pause late fees and stop disconnections while you figure things out.
A helpful way to guide the conversation:
"I'm experiencing financial hardship right now and can't pay my current bill in full. Could you please connect me with your Hardship Team to arrange an affordable payment plan and see if I'm eligible for any state relief grants?"
The hardship team's job is to keep you connected and help you find a manageable path forward.
Share This Free Directory
If things are tight right now, please remember that you are not alone. So many families are struggling with utility bills, yet remain completely unaware that these state grants exist to wipe hundreds of dollars directly off their accounts. Share this link in your local community groups or pass it on to a mate who might need a hand.