The Small Business Development Corporation is administering and delivering a joint State-Commonwealth funded $725 Small Business Electricity Credit to eligible small businesses and charities that operate in embedded networks in WA. This will be in the form of a GST-free direct payment to eligible applicants. 

On 9 May 2024 the State Government announced a one-off credit of $400 to reduce electricity bills for small business, as well as residential, customers. On Tuesday 14 May 2024, the Commonwealth government announced additional funding of $325 for small business energy bill relief. The joint one-off payment to small businesses in embedded networks will be $725. 

Electricity through an embedded network

Eligible small businesses and charities that receive electricity through an embedded network supply arrangement, may apply for and receive a one-off $725 payment via the SmartyGrants portal. The grant application process opened on 4 July 2024 and will close on 31 January 2025.

Embedded networks include examples such as shopping centres, businesses operating from airports, ports and industrial parks, businesses that have a sub-meter linked to a master meter controlled by the landlord, and circumstances where landlords purchase electricity from energy providers and on-sell the electricity to their small business and charity tenants. 

The Small Business Electricity Credit is part of the Energy Price Relief Rebates, co-funded by the Commonwealth and State Government to reduce the cost of electricity bills for eligible small businesses and charities. 

Customers of private electricity retailers

Eligible small businesses and charities that are billed by alternate private energy retailers such as Alinta and Perth energy may apply for the Small Business Electricity Credit via the SBDC.

Synergy or Horizon Power customers

Small businesses and charities that receive their electricity through Synergy or Horizon Power do not need to take any action. You will receive a direct credit to eligible electricity accounts in two instalments of $362.50 in the July-August and December-January billing cycles.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Small Business Electricity Credit Scheme, the applicant must meet all the criteria listed below:

  1. Have held a valid and active ABN as a small business or charity on 17 June 2024 and for the period covered by their application.
  2. Be a small business or charity consuming less than 50 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per year or where this is not measured, be liable for less than $15,000 per annum in electricity costs.
  3. The small business or charity was incurring electricity costs on 17 June 2024.
  4. If not on an embedded network/submetering arrangement, would otherwise fall within the scope of one of the following electricity retail tariff classes as specified in the Energy Operators (Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation) (Charges) By-laws 2006 or the Energy Operators (Regional Power Corporation) (Charges) By-laws 2006:
    1. C1 or C2
    2. D1 or D2
    3. L1 or L2
    4. R1 or R2
  5. Must occupy a commercial premise as owner or tenant.
  6. Not be directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power.
  7. Be receiving power on-supplied via an embedded network/submetering arrangement.
  8. Not be:
    1. A government entity.
    2. A telecommunication provider.
    3. An authorised deposit taking institution.
    4. A major mining or resources operator.
    5. An account for temporary electricity supply for the purposes of constructing premises.
    6. An account where consumption is reasonably expected to exceed 50MWh or where this is not measured, be liable for more than $15,000 in the 12 months prior to 17 June 2024.
  9. Provide an unredacted PDF copy of the business bank statement showing transactions for the period 1 April 2024 up to and including 17 June 2024, that clearly shows the BSB, account number, the trading/business name associated with the application.
  10. The application must be received by 4:00pm, 31 January 2025.
  11. Agree to the program’s Terms and Conditions.

Ineligible applicants

Applicants will not be eligible for relief under this program if they are:

  • A government entity.
  • A telecommunication provider.
  • An Authorised deposit taking institution.
  • A major mining or resources operator.
  • An account for temporary electricity supply for the purposes of constructing premises.
  • An account where consumption is reasonably expected to exceed 50MWh or where this is not measured, be liable for more than $15,000 in the 12 months prior to 17 June 2024.
  • Direct customers of Synergy and Horizon Energy are also ineligible for this program. They will receive their rebate directly from these organisations as credits to their electricity bill. 

Tip See FAQs for further advice on ineligible applicants. 

Program guidelines

Download the Program Guidelines, Terms and Conditions 

Read the frequently asked questions 

How to apply 

Preparing for your Application 

Prepare for your application by gathering the following information and documents. At the appropriate stage in the application process, you will be prompted to upload your document and unless otherwise indicated supporting evidence must be uploaded in PDF format. We may accept documents in JPG or PNG formats, however this is by exception. Electronic copies of documents will not be accepted if they are redacted or in any way designed to mislead.

  • Your Australian Business Number (ABN). You can find this number on any letter the government has sent to your business Alternatively you can use the ABN Lookup tool to search your business. You do not need to provide supporting evidence, simply quote this number.
  • Confirmation that you are the owner or tenant of your business premises by providing a copy of your rates assessment or tenancy agreement.
  • Confirm your business bank details by providing an unredacted PDF copy of the business bank statement showing transactions for the period 1 April 2024 up to and including 17 June 2024, that clearly shows the BSB, account number and the trading/business name associated with the application. 

Please note: If you were an eligible recipient of the $650 credit for the 2023 Small Business and Charities Energy Bill Relief payment via the SBDC, you may be eligible to apply for the new credit payment via a fast track process. You will be contacted directly via email if this is the case and do not need to apply via the link below. 

Start your application