Federal government relief payments will start arriving in bank accounts next month, providing relief to households struggling with the cost of living. The $300 electricity bill relief will be automatically applied to most residential accounts across the country in the form of a $75 credit each quarter. AGL and Origin Energy have already processed payments in NSW and customers should already be able to see the credit in their online accounts.
The $300 electricity bill relief will be automatically applied to most residential accounts across the country in the form of a $75 quarterly credit. (Supplied) For those on monthly bills, the relief may have already been applied. Energy Australia will automatically apply the refund at the end of the month. For renters, nearly one million households will benefit from rent increases. From September 20, people receiving Commonwealth rent assistance will see their rent increase by 10 per cent. There are also deals for pharmacies, with patients able to buy twice as much medicine for the cost of one prescription. From September 1, the average patient will save up to $180 a year, while concession card holders will save up to $43.80 per medicine per year. The changes will apply to around 300 medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.