Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My constituency question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources regarding the next $100 power saving bonus for concession card holders.

In the 2025–‍26 state budget I was delighted to hear that the Allan Labor government is continuing to support households with concession cards with a $100 power saving bonus later this year, in time for winter bills. It is no secret that Ballarat is a cool place to live, but in winter it is truly cold, even freezing, with below zero over nights and icy mornings. Keeping warm is a necessity but can be costly.

My question is: when will my constituents in the electorate of Wendouree with an eligible concession card be able to apply for the one-off $100 power saving bonus?

I thank the minister for her support of low-income households in my community, and I am proud that the $100 power saving bonus this winter will make a real difference to the energy bills of the people who need it the most. I thank the minister and await her response.

Response from the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy and Resources (23 July 2025) –

I thank the Member for Wendouree for her question about the new $100 Power Saving Bonus.

The 2025-26 State Budget included $50 million to deliver a fifth round of the Power Saving Bonus Program, providing a $100 payment to Victorian concession card households that use the Victorian Energy Compare website to search for the cheapest electricity deal.

The program will be available in time to help with winter electricity bills. Households with an eligible concession card will be able to apply by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare website.

The program will again be supported by a community outreach program to ensure that eligible households who may have barriers to submitting an application through the Victorian Energy Compare website will have access to over-the-phone and in-person support.

The $100 Power Saving Bonus will be complemented by the Albanese Labor Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund extension, which will provide up to $150 in energy bill rebates for all households and eligible small businesses from July to December this year.

I also strongly encourage all Victorians to visit the website regularly to compare energy offers and ensure they are on the best priced offer available to them. Victorian Energy Compare is the only free, independent, and easy-to-use energy price comparison website in Victoria. So far in 2025, users of the Victorian Energy Compare website can typically save $200 by switching to the best electricity offer in the market.

More information can be found at https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/

Watch and read more of my speeches to Parliament here, including responses from ministers on how we’re working for Wendouree.