Cost of Living Rebate for Households
Households are set to receive a $175 Cost of Living Rebate in 2022.
The rebate builds on the $50 asset ownership dividend announced earlier this year. The Government has increased this assistance for households in response to the extra cost of living pressures many Queenslanders are facing. The rebate – which means total dividends to households of $575 over the past four years – will be automatically credited and will appear on residential customers’ bills later this year.
Because Queensland's power assets are publicly owned, Queenslanders are able to share in the dividends.
Around $500 million from the dividends of government-owned corporations has already been used to provide households with a $50 electricity bill credit in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (twice) and 2021.
These rebates are in addition to any other energy rebate or concession for which a customer may be eligible.
Who is eligible to receive the Cost of Living rebate?
The rebate is being provided to residential customers who are separately charged for their electricity.
Customers who don't receive a separate electricity bill (e.g. where electricity is included as part of the rent) are not eligible to receive the dividend payment.
Arrangements are in place for customers with electricity on-supply arrangements and customers using a card-operated meter. See below for details.
On-supply arrangements
Households who are billed by an on-supplier of electricity such as their landlord, property manager, caravan park owner or body corporate in an on-supply arrangement are eligible for the rebate.
These customers will have the rebate credited to their bills by their on-supplier or their utility billing provider.
On-suppliers are required to lodge a claim with their electricity retailer.
Card-operated meters
Households using card-operated electricity meters are also eligible for the rebate, which will be automatically transferred to their orange power cards (linked card).