What the new Solar Sharer Offer means for households
Households across Australia may soon be able to access up to three hours of free electricity each day under a new Australian Government initiative called the Solar Sharer Offer, commencing from 1 July 2026.
The opt-in scheme is designed to help households make use of excess daytime solar energy and potentially reduce electricity costs during the middle of the day.
The Solar Sharer Offer is expected to be available to a wide range of households, including renters, homeowners and people without rooftop solar systems. The initiative aims to give more Australians access to excess clean energy generated during the middle of the day.
Participation in the Solar Sharer Offer will be optional, with eligible households able to access the scheme through participating energy retailers. To find out whether the offer is available to you, contact your retail energy provider directly for information about eligibility and participating plans.
While the Solar Sharer Offer could help reduce energy costs for many households, there are also plenty of simple ways to save energy and lower bills every day at home.
Simple ways to reduce energy use
- Small changes can make a big difference over time. Some practical ways to reduce energy use include:
- turning appliances off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby
- running ceiling fans in reverse mode during winter to help circulate warm air
- using appliances during off peak periods where possible
- closing unused rooms to better control heating and cooling
- sealing gaps around doors and windows using curtains, draft stoppers or weather seals.
These changes can help reduce energy consumption while also making homes more comfortable throughout the year.
Check if you are on the best energy plan
Many households are paying more than they need to simply because they have not reviewed their energy plan recently. Energy companies are required by law to show on your bill if they have another plan that may save you money. It is worth checking your latest bill to see if a better option is already available through your existing provider.
You may also find a cheaper plan by comparing providers. The Australian Government’s free comparison website Energy Made Easy allows households to compare plans and providers in their area.
Some energy providers also offer green energy options, allowing households to support renewable energy initiatives while managing household costs.
Support is available if you are struggling with energy bills
If you are experiencing financial hardship or difficulty paying your energy bills, assistance may be available.
In New South Wales, the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme helps eligible households experiencing short term financial hardship, crisis or emergency situations.
Queensland households may be able to access support through the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme (HEEAS), which provides emergency assistance for eligible people experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
In Victoria, eligible households experiencing financial hardship may be able to access assistance through the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS), which can help with overdue electricity, gas and water bills.
In Western Australia, households experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for support through the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (HUGS), which can assist with electricity, gas and water bills.
If you are struggling to pay your bill, contacting your energy provider early is important. Many providers can offer payment plans, hardship programs and information about government assistance that may be available.
