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Victorian Energy Compare - $250 Power Saving Bonus (*Eligibility Conditions Apply)

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Victorian Energy Compare - $250 Power Saving Bonus (*Eligibility Conditions Apply)
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AR-MEL on 17/11/2020 - 21:40 compare.energy.vic.gov.au (8509 clicks)
Last edited 01/02/2021 - 13:11 by 1 other user

The $250 Power Saving Bonus is a once-off payment available to Victorian households with at least one JobSeeker, youth allowance recipient or pensioner.

On the 17 November 2020 the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced a once-off $250 Power Saving Bonus to help eligible households with their energy bills as a part of the Victorian Government’s Household Energy Savings Package.

What is the $250 Power Saving Bonus?
The $250 Power Saving Bonus is a once-off payment available to Victorian households with at least one JobSeeker, youth allowance recipient or pensioner.

All pension types will be eligible – age pension, disability support pension, carer payment and single parenting payment. The payments will be available from 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2022 and payments would be limited to one per eligible household. 

What do people need to do to be eligible?
Victorian households will need to visit the Victorian Energy Compare website between 1 February 2021 to 31 January 2022. To be eligible to claim the $250 Power Saving Bonus, Victorians must be able to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Be from a household with at least one JobSeeker, youth allowance recipient or pensioner. All pension types would be eligible – age pension, disability support pension, carer payment and single parenting payment. 
The claimant must have a Victorian electricity bill for their household.
When can eligible households apply?
Eligible households can apply on the Victorian Energy Compare website from 1 February 2021.

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Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning - Energy
Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning - Energy

closed Comments

  • soan papdi on 17/11/2020 - 21:48
    +41

    I digress but privatization of electricity is not that great. Private companies keep fleecing us and we need to keep jumping providers and plans every 6-12 months to pay a better rate and on top of this the govt has to run a comparison website to keep this circus under control.

    • Stopback on 17/11/2020 - 21:55
      +27

      They basically made plans so complicated it is harder to compare who has the best value

      • Manny Calavera on 17/11/2020 - 22:02
        +5

        It’s good. The more they regulate it, the harder it is to game.

        • boomlogical on 17/11/2020 - 22:36
          +4

          I mean, the comparison site is automated

      • effgee on 10/12/2020 - 09:19

        yes, once the sheeple worked that duopolies were not much better than monopolies, large businesses have moved to using confusopoly to maintain their profits.

      • spedohero on 01/02/2021 - 15:47

        If you cannot convince then confuse. Meet many at workplace.

    • LittleTicket on 17/11/2020 - 21:59
      -7

      It’s either privatize or raise taxes? Governments love blowing money so the taxpayer has to pay it back one way or another.

      • droptester on 17/11/2020 - 22:28
        +1

        you're right the taxpayer does have to pay it back one way or another. Either taxes go up, or rates and taxes go up…

    • rambutann on 17/11/2020 - 22:00
      -7

      Yes you may be forced to jump to a different company from time to time, but would you rather it be ran by a monopoly that would essentially charge more than what you were paying under a bad privatised power deal?

      I recently had to look into power in Perth. Everything about it is insanely expensive. Sure, you could say "but its Perthhh".. but thats a crap excuse. The WA government literally gives out hundreds of dolars per household in power rebates to make themselves look good - and they can afford to do so because they know the electricity is expensive af.

      • lgacb08 on 17/11/2020 - 22:14
        +4

        no way privatisation will lead to cheaper price, your anecdotal evidence fails to account for the inherent price difference between states, 28c per kwh is no way expensive, have you looked at the price in South Australia, or the $1.3 per day supply charge in Powercor area in VIC? WA runs their own network with interconnect with other states so there must be some cost involved.

        • ely on 17/11/2020 - 22:30
          +1

          19.470/kwh + 61.930/day (both including GST) in Citipower area in VIC. Glad I'm not in Powercor or SA.

          Interesting to compare vs water costs (fixed costs + consumption costs) which, for our place, are about the same annual costs (~$1,800/year).

          • corrocoat on 18/11/2020 - 06:15
            +1

            @ely: All are Owned by the same company - HK investment house

          • angyp on 18/11/2020 - 10:16
            +2

            @ely: This is the bit that makes me see red. I am in ausnet area in VIC Melbourne and we get ripped off at least a dollar a day supply charge and kwh rates that are at least 10 cents more. I can't believe how variable the pricing is between distribution areas in Melbourne.

        • lunartemis on 18/11/2020 - 06:19

          We are in a powercor area and the supply charge is a joke. 75% of our bill is from supply charge.

        • Grok on 18/11/2020 - 09:09
          -5

          Privatisation results in cheaper provision of services full stop.

          If you get cheaper prices under government control then invariably the government is subsiding the price somewhere in the service. For example, Railway tickets do not cover the cost of train travel. The Medicare levy does not cover anywhere near the cost of Medicare.

          Both are heavily subsidised. If they were privatised then yes consumer prices may go up but only because subsidies would have been cut and you are paying closer to the REAL cost and governments would reap a fortune both in the sale price and running costs.

          You can’t complain that privatisation leads to job losses and cost cuts and then say the service costs more.

          • madllama on 01/02/2021 - 14:13
            +1

            @Grok: Why do you think that?
            The primary focus of any private company is return on investment to share holders, which means charging as much as the market will bear.

            Prompted by your message I did a quick google. Last year Jemena made $190m in profit and paid $181m in dividends to its shareholders. I dont see how they can do this while delivering rock bottom prices?

        • chonkie on 18/11/2020 - 11:01

          Not just powercore. Jemena charges around $1.11 a day.

          • amithc on 19/11/2020 - 12:00

            @chonkie: Jemena through Powerclub 0.71 AUD per day supply charge, 21cents a KWh

      • soan papdi on 17/11/2020 - 22:26
        +6

        Can you prove that public utilities are worse off compared to this privatized nonsense?

        Firstly there's no dealing with several distributors. Remember what happened with the bush fires in VIC some years back? That was SP Ausnet putting profits over duty.

        Then there's not having to deal with multiple retailers who sprout like mushrooms overnight. There's no differentiating factor between them, all of them employ bait and switch. If one retailer ruins a brand name with bad tactics, they can always start a new one. We are none the wiser.

        Metro trains in Melbourne are the same. Shitty peak hour service and constant blame games between them and the state govt.

        • Koffee on 17/11/2020 - 22:53
          +1

          Poor network maintenance and a lack of upgrades occurs whether the network is public or private. Government had decades to make upgrades to power networks before they were privatised and chose not to make upgrades on ageing infrastructure. It isn't like Telecom was any kind of gold standard before it got privatised with all its 'pair gain' rubbish it riddled networks with. The incentives to act may be different between public and private but just because something is public, doesn't mean it is treated better.

          If the State Government were still in charge of public transport in VIC, then there would be more strikes than you could poke a stick at. With Luba having to argue with private companies at least they have actual recourse. Also, speaking of networks, the current state government cut track and signalling maintenance in previous budgets that was put in place by the previous government, before putting it back because it was obvious the network was suffering.

          • soan papdi on 17/11/2020 - 23:24

            @Koffee: Agree that public ownership isn't perfect but relatively speaking, there's less entities involved. Problems have to be fixed by the one entity and the residents can lobby the one entity. What I am unhappy about is the sham that the private sector is somehow always better for us.

        • dmac on 18/11/2020 - 07:32

          Why go 100% one or the other? Why can't we have a government department that competes with the private sector, if they can show that they can compete and be cost effective give them more finances, just like any other business?

          It seems like having it either 100% public or private would put the power in too few hands.

          • soan papdi on 18/11/2020 - 14:18
            +1

            @dmac: Or, you know the obvious alternative: have competent ministers and bureaucrats who're actually interested in doing their job and deliver results. The problem is that government service is fail-safe. No one gets fired no matter how crap their output.

            • dmac on 04/02/2021 - 14:13

              @soan papdi: How do we get to that utopia where government officials only care about doing a good job?

              Competition would force the government to compare their performance vs private companies, if you consistently under perform, there is direct easy to assess scrutinise performance. Then turn over the reigns to another government worker with different ideas.

              I don't see how we can encourage government competency without competition, or greater transparency but good luck with that :/

    • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2020 - 06:29

      Yet the politicians have shares in energy companies. They don't want to change the way it's running. The Auspost scam should have been a clear wake up call and the Gov should buy it all back.

    • robertwt7 on 01/02/2021 - 14:19

      Its even worse when you're living in apartment with embedded electricity.. You have no choice!

      • vitawheat on 01/02/2021 - 18:06

        I worked for an embedded network manager for retirement villages, and you definitely have a choice to switch providers. You just have to find a provider that is willing to supply and bill you.

    • fuzor on 01/02/2021 - 16:48

      @ggop: Privatisation as you have just described is basically capitalism. If most things was still state owned, regulated and controlled by the government, we would be under a different model.

      • soan papdi on 01/02/2021 - 18:16

        That is kinda obvious isn't it. My complaint is that the privatisation model we have is not even close to the utopia the people were promised. We have extra layers at every stage and their added costs

    • vitawheat on 01/02/2021 - 18:18

      Have you looked into a retailer that provides directly from the wholesale electricity market? I was with Red Energy for 5+ years and since switching to wholesale I have saved 30-40% compared to my Red Energy bills (that's accounting for the membership fee). Sometimes I get prices as low as 4/5/6c kWh, there are days where it is 30c+/kWh but on average it is about 15c/day. My average usage cost for last month's bill was 2.2c/kWh

      • soan papdi on 01/02/2021 - 18:20
        +1

        I find that model very confusing. Red energy was my provider too for a long time and only when I compared did I realize what a rip-off they were.

        On average it is 15c per day or per kWH? FWIW I just moved back to tango at 86c/day and 20c/kWH

        Edit: just read the response again. 2.2c/unit is amazing

        • vitawheat on 01/02/2021 - 18:36
          +2

          You are correct. 15c per kWh. Here's a copy of my bill. I just checked the app and earlier today between it was 9-11c/kWh between 4-6 pm.

          I do not want to butcher the concept so I'm going to share Amber's resources and FAQ that explains how it works.

          I do work in the industry (not for Amber) and we currently offer this product to C&I businesses. There are definitely lots of benefits if you can manage and shift your load and/or if you have solar panels. If the market goes into negative, you will get paid to use electricity.

  • Manny Calavera on 17/11/2020 - 22:01
    +3

    Screw that. Where’s my freebie?

  • brongz on 17/11/2020 - 22:01
    +10

    Govt is supporting private sector? Nothing new. Check the private health insurance sector. Income over certain limit you have to have private health insurance or pay extra tax.

    • Aureus on 17/11/2020 - 22:13
      +11

      Another fantastic liberal policy.

      • boomlogical on 17/11/2020 - 22:41
        +3

        Why do we even need private health insurance? They're always fleecing me and I use Medicare way more than the insurance(who always tries to knock my claims) I'd rather pay the normal tax rate(where I'd still be contributing a decent amount more) than deal with private health insurance bullshit

        • soan papdi on 17/11/2020 - 22:46
          +6

          oh boooo, think of the jobs that will be lost if the PHI industry is dismantled

          sheds crocodile tears

        • netjock on 01/02/2021 - 14:33

          Theory is to subside old people and keep private sector in business.

          But then the government could just put the surcharge to the public hospitals. Unfortunately the public hospital sector doesn't have lobbing cartel neither do they offer jobs to do nothing to ex politicians.

    • dmac on 18/11/2020 - 07:26

      Isn't supporting private health important to spread out the burden of healthcare i.e. reduce wait times for all? It seems that most that would benefit from private health vs paying extra tax, would prefer private health for convenience in having greater access to health services.

      In comparison Canada has a totally public healthcare system with excessive wait times, or do you think that we are a different case?

      • 9839002 on 18/11/2020 - 12:40

        Or new Zealand with a mostly public system with relatively short wait times.

        • dmac on 04/02/2021 - 14:22

          Do you have any more info about new zealand? I haven't read or heard much about their health care system.

      • deelaroo on 18/11/2020 - 20:04

        Someone drank the cool aid.

      • netjock on 01/02/2021 - 14:34

        If you look at most private health care plans it is hospital cover in public system as private patient. Garbage plans to avoid tax only.

    • TheVoices on 01/02/2021 - 14:21

      If anything this is hurting the private sector isn't it? Paying customers to shop around for a better rate and leave their current supplier…

      • netjock on 01/02/2021 - 14:35

        Hurting the tax payer. People should already be shopping around and going to the cheapest supplier.

  • Rakibul on 17/11/2020 - 22:41

    From my calculations, Globird has always stayed the second-cheapest overall. So, after Kogan increased their prices, I came back to Globird. I use an excel sheet for more accurate comparisons.

    • snensnay on 17/11/2020 - 22:56

      I'm with Globird also and regularly check prices and I still believe they are one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest (I'm in VIC). Also the referral system is really good, have referred lots of people and we always both get the sign up credit.

      • aneil915 on 18/11/2020 - 15:20

        Globird is also the cheapest where I live. Cheaper than Tango. Referral system is an added bonus.

      • Rakibul on 18/11/2020 - 17:01

        Should have asked for a referral when I joined. Back then I was not aware of this forum.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2020 - 22:57
      +3

      I think you didn't check Tango. They are the cheapest with no discounts.

      • Rakibul on 19/11/2020 - 13:43

        Just compared the two. Tango is about 10% more expensive than Globird. You must have your calculations wrong.

        • Jake17 on 11/02/2021 - 09:22

          It could be location. Globird is more expensive then tango where I live. But that doesn't mean it's the same all over vic

    • Shieri on 19/11/2020 - 12:26

      I've had a look at globird too.. but for some reason they won't let me join.. something about my credit check being not good enough but I had a look at my credit rating and its in the excellent part when I check on credit savvy.. so I must be doing something wrong if they wont let me sign up with them..

    • bazingaa on 01/02/2021 - 15:02

      I have a similar Excel sheet too. But recently noticed QEnergy is cheaper than Globird. Actually the cheapest one is changing with time (summer - winter) with heating.

  • Empharand on 17/11/2020 - 22:48
    +10

    That's bullshit it should be available to all Victorians

    • netjock on 01/02/2021 - 14:37

      OzBargain
      VicBargains
      VicMinorityBargains

      How segmented can we go…

  • myfeetarehappy on 17/11/2020 - 23:14
    +1

    Working from home I’ve used way more power than normal. Where’s my rebate?

  • RichardMelbourne on 17/11/2020 - 23:40

    Thanks OP

  • ows on 17/11/2020 - 23:45

    Useless website (except bonus), outdated rates.

  • big bill broonzy on 18/11/2020 - 12:19

    Bummer I did this last time it was $50. Assuming I would be ineligible now

    • 9839002 on 18/11/2020 - 12:41

      Different promotion isn't it?

      • popsiee on 18/11/2020 - 14:20

        Last one had was open to all this one is different eligibility but of course it doesn't matter if you had the last one or not .

  • Zviar on 18/11/2020 - 15:26

    Can anyone help explain, what does " with at least one JobSeeker" means.
    Does that say, the house hold should have at least one person looking for job & jobless at that stage or currently as of 17 Nov?

    • 0jay on 01/02/2021 - 11:37

      One person on a Centrelink benefit with a low income healthcare card

  • ynotrekab on 01/02/2021 - 11:26

    Thanks to AR-MEL and the reminder I made on this, it's now available to put a claim in.

  • johnmur on 01/02/2021 - 14:28

    Embedded network……

  • skidexa on 01/02/2021 - 14:38

    Has anyone from NSW tried switching energy using the service nsw comparison calculator?

  • edmobile8 on 01/02/2021 - 15:01

    ooooo

  • ozvictor on 01/02/2021 - 15:18

    Can you still available if you live in a shared house and have the low income health care card ?

    • wangasm on 01/02/2021 - 20:10

      Holders of Health Care Cards who are not recipients of Youth allowance, JobSeeker, Austudy or Abstudy are not eligible.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/02/2021 - 16:00
    -4

    Ok. Hard working people are ineligible😭

  • Samsungnote10 on 01/02/2021 - 20:06

    I applied for this, well tried to

    They are very very strict.
    Bill has to be original pdf, and the latest (and the system recognises if its not)

    Names, have to match, pension card details need to provided in detail too

    • Junnyjun on 03/02/2021 - 08:15
      +1

      Just manually enter details

      • franco cozzo on 10/03/2021 - 11:57

        exactly. did this for my folks this morning. they just need the account details not an actual bill

  • Jake17 on 17/02/2021 - 21:40
    +2

    I done it on the first day it was available. Got approval email last Thursday. Payment hit my account tonight

  • TEER3X on 18/02/2021 - 17:59

    Submitted mine 2nd February, no update, I'll have to follow this up

    • 0jay on 21/02/2021 - 21:55

      Same here, still waiting.

  • lml on 01/03/2021 - 20:58
    +2

    Approved on 12th Feb, got payment today.

  • franco cozzo on 01/04/2021 - 13:50

    payment confirmation email arrived today. so good….went thru without a hitch, didnt have to jump any hoops & loops like others.

    • 0jay on 01/04/2021 - 13:58

      I’m still waiting since open day. No response to email comm six weeks in.

      • franco cozzo on 01/04/2021 - 14:21

        damn… id look into that if i was you?

        my dates:
        application: 10 march
        application success: 19 march
        eft submission success: 20 march
        payment success: 30 march

        i did my application and only submitted info from the bills, not the actual bills as scans or pdfs

        • 0jay on 01/04/2021 - 14:25
          +1

          id look into that if i was you?

          Yeah I’ve chased it up several times including 2 phone calls, 2 emails and I also reapplied a second time.

          Both applications by submitting info same as you, site wouldn’t accept my PDFs for some reason.

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