From cheaper power bills to rent assistance and healthcare savings, here’s what cost-of-living support is available to South Australians – and how to check if you qualify.
You’ve got a budget. You’re watching your spending. You’ve made the smart swaps… But you still struggle to make ends meet.
Maybe you’re a student, working part-time. Maybe your job just doesn’t pay much.
If that’s you, here’s what you need to know: there could be hundreds – even thousands – of dollars in support you’re eligible for and haven’t claimed.
Steffany Woolford, from the South Australian Financial Counsellors Association, says a lot of South Australians on low incomes miss out simply because they assume they won’t qualify. Often, they do.
“It’s sometimes a case of ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’,” she says. “What I mean by that is if you’ve never had concessions before or know what you are entitled to, you may not know you can apply, or even how to go about it.”
Here’s what’s worth checking – starting with the one thing that unlocks most of it.
The card that unlocks (almost) everything
If there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s this: check whether you’re eligible for a Low Income Health Care Card.
It’s not a payment. It’s a concession card you can apply for even if you’re working, as long as your income is below the threshold (currently about $41,400 a year for a single person with no children). There’s no assets test, and it’s free to apply through Services Australia.
Why it matters: this card gives you access to most of the concessions below.
It also means:
- PBS prescriptions for $7.70 instead of $31.60
- A lower Medicare Safety Net threshold, so Medicare covers more of your out-of-pocket costs sooner
If you’re already on Youth Allowance, JobSeeker, Austudy or ABSTUDY, you’ll have one automatically. But if you’re working casually or part-time and not on a payment, this is absolutely worth checking.
Steffany says the Low Income Health Care Card is an important starting point because it provides more affordable healthcare, reduced medication costs, and access to a variety of concessions that help ease everyday living expenses.
One form, four concessions
You can apply for four SA Government concessions in a single online form. One application. A few minutes. Potentially $800 to $1,000+ a year back in your pocket.
Here’s what it covers:
$261.90 per year paid straight into your bank account. It’s not tied to a bill – it’s yours to use however you need. Renters receive the same amount as homeowners.
Up to around $280 per year off your electricity bill. If you use gas (including bottled LPG), you may receive additional support.
A 30 per cent discount on water charges – worth up to about $435 a year for owner-occupiers, or up to about $340 for tenants paying for usage.
Up to $46 per year off your levy (property owners only).
Who’s eligible?
You’ll need an eligible concession card or an eligible Centrelink payment.
Low-income households may also qualify even if you don’t have an eligible card or payment – check the income limits at sa.gov.au.
How to apply:
Complete the online form at sa.gov.au before 31 December each financial year, or call the ConcessionsSA Hotline: 1800 307 758 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday).
A new energy deal worth knowing about
On top of the energy concession, the SA Government has struck a new deal with Origin Energy – the SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer (SACEDO). Eligible households could save up to $650 a year.
It includes:
- 20 per cent off electricity usage and supply charges
- 15 per cent off gas usage and supply charges
- 40 per cent off a 45kg LPG cylinder (first 12 months)
- No late fees, paper bill fees or exit fees
The catch? You must already receive the SA energy concession and either switch to or already be with Origin.
Before switching, compare your current plan using Energy Made Easy to check it’s actually better for you. Call Origin on 1300 791 465 for details.
Federal help you might be missing
It’s not just the state government offering support.
Every Australian household received $150 in energy credits in 2025-26. The credits were applied automatically to electricity bills. If you don’t remember seeing them, check your statements.
If you’re on a Centrelink payment and paying rent, you could receive up to about $215 per fortnight as a single person without children – more for families. That’s thousands per year.
If you’re renting and receiving Youth Allowance or JobSeeker, make sure your rent details are updated in myGov. Many people miss this simply because their information isn’t current.
Steffany says it’s “super common for people to be eligible for Rent Assistance but not receive it”.
“Sometimes they don’t realise they qualify, or they’re juggling so much that dealing with forms and updates feels like too much,” she says. “Even small things, like forgetting to update your address or new rent amount, can mean you miss out. There are lots of reasons this happens.”
- HECS-HELP debt reduction
If you have a HECS or HELP debt, it was cut by 20 per cent in June 2025. The average debt dropped by around $5,500.
The repayment threshold also increased to $67,000, and future indexation is now capped at the lower of CPI or wage growth.
If you haven’t checked your balance lately, log into myGov and view your ATO account.
When things get tight
Sometimes the problem isn’t about saving hundreds over a year – it’s about getting through the month.
- No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
Need a new fridge, washing machine, laptop, car repair or help with a bond? The NILS offers loans of up to $2,000 (or $3,000 for a bond).
There’s no interest. No fees. No credit check.
Repayments are spread over up to 24 months, and the money goes directly to the supplier for essential items.
You’re eligible if you earn under $70,000 (single) or $100,000 (with a partner), or hold a concession card. Call 13 64 57 to find a local provider.
Steffany says NILS is a far safer option than commercial lenders because it has no interest, no fees, and an affordable repayment arrangement is made, helping people cover essential expenses without risking debt spirals.
“Payday loans and Buy Now Pay Later can lead to high fees, multiple repayments, and unmanageable debt, while NILS is designed to support financial stability, not profit from hardship,” she says.
- Your telco has to help you
If you’re struggling to pay your phone or internet bill, your provider is legally required to offer hardship support. That can include payment plans, fee waivers or moving you to a cheaper plan.
Call and say you’re experiencing financial hardship.
- Emergency financial help
If you’re behind on rent, facing electricity disconnection or unable to afford food, the Financial Wellbeing Program can connect you to free financial counselling and emergency support, including vouchers.
Call 1800 025 539 or search Affordable SA.
There’s also the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme, which can provide up to $800 towards an overdue electricity bill if you’re at risk of disconnection. A financial counsellor must refer you.
Quick wins worth checking
If you hold a Health Care Card, these are also worth knowing about:
- GlassesSA – Prescription glasses from $25 through participating optometrists (free for eligible Aboriginal people). Phone 1300 762 577
- SA Dental – Public dental clinics available for concession card holders. Emergency care is prioritised
- Medical Heating and Cooling Concession – Additional support if extreme temperatures worsen a medical condition
- Private Rental Assistance – Help with bond or rent in advance through the SA Housing Trust
- PBS Safety Net – Once you reach $277.20 in prescription costs in a calendar year (concession holders), scripts are free for the rest of the year
Your one-stop shop: Affordable SA
If this all feels like a lot, there’s one place that brings it all together.
Affordable SA is a free, confidential service run by the Salvation Army and funded by the SA Government. It covers 15 different categories of support – from food and accommodation to transport, health and financial help – and can point you to what’s available near you.
You can search online, download the app, or call 1800 025 539.
Steffany says you should never feel unsure or embarrassed about seeking support.
“These programs exist for a reason. Accessing what you’re entitled to isn’t personal, it’s a smart financial decision that can make your life easier,” she says.
“Knowledge is power, and sometimes the first step is simply knowing what support is available.”
If you’re in debt and struggling to get your finances back on track, help is available. Free financial counselling is available through the Affordable SA website. Alternatively, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit ndh.org.au for free and confidential financial counselling, or the Mob Strong Debt Helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (1800 808 488). See other cost-of-living options available to South Australians here.
