Now available for concession card households
The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is an official community outreach provider for the State Government’s $100 Power Saving Bonus.
We are assisting community members to receive this one-off payment to help ease energy bill stress, and to help them seek out a better energy deal.
As of 25 August 2025, this payment is available to all Victorian households.
What is the $100 Power Saving Bonus?
The Power Saving Bonus is a one-off $100 payment to provide direct energy bill support to eligible Victorian households.
Who is eligible for the Power Saving Bonus?
Victorians with an eligible concession card can now apply for the $100 Power Saving Bonus through the Victorian Energy Compare website or a participating community organisation.
Eligibility requirements:
To be eligible, households will need to:
- Be a Victorian residential energy consumer (i.e. have a residential electricity account) - you must be the account holder
- Have a recent residential electricity bill
- Hold one of the following concession cards:
- Health Care Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
One payment is available per household.
When can households apply?
This program is running from 25 August 2025 until 31 March 2026.
How do I apply?
Victorian concession card households can apply for the new $100 Bonus by visiting the Victorian Energy Compare website (compare.energy.vic.gov.au), calling the VEC helpline (1800 000 832) to apply over the phone, or apply in-person through a participating community organisation, such as our Ballarat East Neighbourhood House.
If you do not have access to the internet, or are uncomfortable using technology, we are here to help. You can visit Ballarat East Neighbourhood House during our drop in hours listed below, or contact us to make an appointment at another time by calling 0422 612 052.
Drop in session times at Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East:
During school terms - Term 3: Until 19 September, Term 4: 6 October - 19 December, Term 1 2026: 27 January until the Power Saving Bonus closes on 31 March 2026.
Mondays 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Community Room #102
Tuesdays 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Community Room #103, 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Community Room #102
Thursdays 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Community Room #102
Fridays 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Community Room #102
What do I need for the application process?
When you come to us to submit your application, there are a few things you need to bring with you:
- Drivers Licence or Medicare card
- Valid concession card as listed above
- A copy of a recent electricity bill
- Your ‘NMI’ number (this is located on your bill and is typically a 10 or 11 digit number)
- Your bank account details to receive your payment - account name, BSB and account number to receive payment by EFT, otherwise you can receive payment by cheque.
Be sure to keep a copy of your NMI and your application reference number as you may need this information for further communications about your application.
How will it be paid to me?
When you submit your application online, you will be able to choose between receiving your payment via EFT (electronic transfer into your bank account) or cheque.
How long does it take to receive the Power Saving Bonus?
If you meet the eligibility and documentation requirements, you should receive your $100 payment via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) within two to three weeks of submission. If you request payment via cheque, this should be received within four weeks.
Location & getting there
Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is located at Barkly Square, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East.
Walking: The building has entrances on Barkly Street and also access from Princes Street South via the car park.
Driving: You can park on Barkly Street, or behind the building in the car park or on the street along Princes Street South. You can access Princes Street South from Eureka Street or Barkly Street.
Bus: There is a bus stop close to Barkly Square: Route 20, near the corner of Barkly Street and Main Road.
Bicycle: There is bike parking available at Barkly Square.
Once inside the building, look for signs to locate our Neighbourhood House. If you enter from the courtyard next to the cafe, head to the end of the hallway, past the community area to the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Community Rooms. If you enter from the Barkly Street entrance, keep going straight ahead and you will see our Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Community Rooms on your right.
Public toilets are available within Barkly Square.
View the Accessibility Map of Barkly Square.
Find out more on the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria website.
For Frequently Asked Questions, visit the Victorian Energy Compare website.
To help pay their energy bills, Victorians on low incomes can receive concessions and benefits, including the Utility Relief Grant Scheme. For a summary, you can download this Energy Affordibility Information document (PDF).
