General information, not financial advice. Schemes and eligibility change; the official places to check are the WA Government’s concessions list and energy.gov.au.
As at 8 October 2026, the Western Australian scheme named for air conditioning is the Air Conditioning Rebate, which helps eligible households in areas of high heat discomfort with the cost of running an air conditioner. It is not money off buying or installing one, and neither the WA Government’s concessions list nor energy.gov.au’s entry for the rebate describes a WA rebate for buying a unit.
The Air Conditioning Rebate
energy.gov.au, the Australian Government’s energy site, describes it this way: “This Air Conditioning Rebate subsidises the cost of operating an air conditioner for eligible households in areas of high heat discomfort. The amount of the subsidy varies depending on where you live.” It adds: “Permanent residents of caravan parks can also apply for this rebate.” The rebate is administered by the state’s electricity retailers, Synergy and Horizon Power.
The WA Government lists it under household bills, as an electricity rebate provided by Synergy or Horizon Power, with links to both retailers’ websites for more information. The sources behind this guide do not list which towns count as high heat discomfort locations, or the amounts, so this page gives neither. Your retailer’s page is the place to check.
What it is not. The rebate subsidises operating costs. Nothing in the WA concessions list or the energy.gov.au entry describes it as a discount on a new air conditioner, and no WA scheme for buying one appeared in either.
Other WA help with energy bills
| Scheme | What it helps with | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Energy Subsidy | Energy costs of controlling the temperature at home, under medical advice, for eligible people who experience thermoregulatory dysfunction | Department of Finance |
| Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy | Energy costs of running life support equipment at home under specialist medical advice | Department of Finance |
| Energy Assistance Payment | A rebate for residential energy customers who hold a valid concession card | Synergy or Horizon Power |
| Dependent Child Rebate | Energy costs for eligible concession card holders with dependent children | Synergy or Horizon Power |
| Account Establishment Fee Rebate | A one-off rebate on the cost of setting up a new electricity account, for eligible customers on residential tariffs | Synergy |
| Energy Concession Extension Scheme | Extends the Energy Assistance Payment and other electricity concessions to eligible households that are charged for electricity through on-selling arrangements | Department of Finance, Revenue WA |
| Hardship Utility Grant Scheme | Help for people in financial hardship who cannot pay utility bills, to prevent disconnection | Department of Communities |
The WA Government describes the thermoregulatory subsidy in a second place as being for financially disadvantaged people with a thermoregulatory dysfunction who need to run equipment to control the temperature of their homes. If that describes someone in your household, the heat and health guide covers what WA Health says about people who need extra care in the heat.
The extension scheme is for eligible households that receive electricity charges through on-selling arrangements, in the WA Government’s words. Permanent caravan park residents can apply for the Air Conditioning Rebate itself, as energy.gov.au notes above.
If you rent
energy.gov.au’s guide for renters says repairs, servicing and maintenance, including most energy efficiency improvements, will usually need your landlord’s permission and money, and that every state and territory has different laws for tenants. It suggests putting requests to your landlord or agent in writing and keeping a record of what is agreed. The sources behind this guide do not include WA’s tenancy rules on air conditioners, so check those with the WA Government before you rely on anything.
National programs
energy.gov.au keeps a list of rebates and assistance programs, each marked with the states where it applies. Its WA entry for the Air Conditioning Rebate describes it as a subsidy on the energy bills of eligible customers in places deemed high heat discomfort locations. Check that list for anything new before you buy, because programs open and close.
Keeping the running cost down
Because WA’s help is aimed at running costs, using less cooling in the first place matters. Two other guides cover what official advice says about that: letting the sea breeze do some of the work, and choosing a system that suits your climate zone.
If you are choosing a new system, Your Home notes that a technician holding a refrigerant handling licence needs to install it and can advise on the right size. A licensed installer can advise you on the right size for your home.