The WA State and Commonwealth Governments jointly announced on 9 May 2023 a $650 National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset. Eligible small business and charity groups (being those customers on the C1, D1, K1, L1 or R1 tariffs) will receive a $650 National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset, payable over 2 instalments of $325, with the first payment being made from 8 July 2023.

More information will be provided in the Terms & Conditions when available.

Eligible small business and charity groups must be one of the following electricity tariffs:

•  C1
•  D1
•  K1
•  L1
•  R1 

Even if the product Eligibility Criteria is met, each of the following accounts are not Eligible Accounts (Excluded Accounts):

a) the supply is made under the Tariff B1 (residential water heating tariff) as specified in the Energy Operators (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) (Charges) By laws 2006;

b) an account held by a local government authority, council or entity created pursuant to the Local Government Act 1995 (WA);

c) an account held by a Western Australian or Commonwealth Government statutory authority, trading enterprise, department, or agency;

d) an account held by a telecommunication company that is, for example part of the corporate group of, Telstra, Vodafone, Optus or the National Broadband Network;

e) an account that is, for example part of the corporate group of, Westpac, Australian and New Zealand Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank or National Australia Bank;

f) an account held by a major mining or resources operator, that is, for example part of the corporate group of, BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Chevron and Woodside;

g) an account for temporary electricity supply for the purposes of constructing premises;

h) consumption at the premises is greater than 50MWh in the 12 months prior to 9 May 2023; or

i)  Synergy reasonably expects consumption for the account to be greater than 50MWh over a 12-month period.

Customers will NOT need to apply to receive the offset as they will automatically receive the payment, commencing from 8 July 2023.

To be eligible for the payment, small business customers must have an eligible account as at 9 May 2023. Business customers who open an account after 9 May 2023 but before 25 November 2023 will only be eligible for the second payment, that will be made in December 2023.

You are unable to apply any unused offset amounts against a different Synergy account. Transfers can only be made if you are moving business premises.

Synergy understands that this is a challenging time for businesses. Although you're not eligible for the National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset, we encourage you to contact us so we can assess your circumstances to see what assistance we can provide.

Customers cannot seek a “refund” of the surplus amount relating to the National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset if their account is in credit. Following the offset payment, some eligible customers' accounts may be in credit. This credit will be carried forward and applied to future bills.

If the account holder closes their account and the National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset has not been fully applied to the account, any remaining balance will be returned to the WA Government. It will not be refunded or “cashed out”.

Customers on a sub meter will NOT be eligible for the payment.

It is noted that some small businesses (e.g. shopping centre tenants) may not benefit from this measure as they do not have a direct billing relationship with Synergy.

These businesses are within embedded networks, where the property owner contracts with an electricity supplier and then allocates electricity costs to the tenants based on their tenancy agreements.

Customers on a C1 or a D1 tariff who consume less than 50 mWh per annum are eligible to receive the National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset.

The National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset is only available to non-contestable small business customers and charities with an active account with Synergy and receiving supply under an eligible tariff (either the C1, D1, K1, L1 or R1 tariffs).

If you've already closed your account, you will not be eligible for the payment.

If you're on an A1 tariff, which is a residential tariff, you unfortunately are not eligible for the National Small Business Energy Bill Relief Offset. You are eligible for the residential Offset if you can meet those requirements.