The Budget includes support with energy bill costs.
16 June 2025
In brief
- The 2025–26 ACT Budget includes practical supports to ease cost of living pressures.
- It includes new and continuing measures.
- These include energy cost support for eligible Canberrans, support for families and support for apprentices and trainees.
The ACT Government will deliver new and continuing cost of living measures through the 2025–26 ACT Budget.
These measures focus support where it’s needed most. They include:
- support with energy costs for eligible Canberrans
- support for families with school-aged children
- support for apprentices and trainees.
Support with energy costs: the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate
The Budget confirms a permanent $50 increase to the Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate.
This brings the total rebate to $800 per year for eligible low-income households.
Eligible households will have the rebate applied directly to their electricity account.
Households already receiving the rebate will continue to do so automatically.
Those receiving the rebate do not need to reapply.
Support with energy costs: the Energy Bill Relief Fund
The ACT Government will keep partnering with the Australian Government through the Energy Bill Relief Fund.
The fund provides up to $150 in further electricity bill relief. It will be available to all eligible ACT households and small businesses.
Most Canberrans will have the rebate applied directly to their bill.
Find out more about the Energy Bill Relief Fund.
Support for families
The ACT Government will continue to support Canberra families with the cost of education through the 2025–26 ACT Budget.
Two key programs will be expanded to ensure every student has access to a full and inclusive school experience.
These include:
- the Future of Education Equity Fund
- the Free School Camps at Birrigai program.
The Equity Fund will be boosted to support an extra 1,000 eligible students.
The one-off payment can be used for school-related costs like:
- uniforms
- books
- excursions
- extracurricular activities.
Find out more information about the Future of Education Equity Fund.
The Free School Camps at Birrigai program began in Term 1 this year.
It has been expanded to ensure all ACT public primary school students can continue to attend a free school camp at Birrigai each year.
Support for apprentices and trainees
The Budget also includes assistance for local apprentices and trainees.
All ACT-based apprentices and trainees will again receive a $250 payment. First-year apprentices and trainees will receive an additional $250 to help cover the cost of tools and equipment.
This cost of living support will assist apprentices and trainees as they work to get the skills they need for future employment.
Reduced rego fees for light trailers and caravans
The Government will also reduce light trailer and caravan registration fees.
Fees will be reduced by up to $150 for 12 months between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.
This will also support Canberrans who rely on trailers to transport tools and equipment for their trade.
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