The 2024–25 Federal Budget has offered further support for small businesses grappling with rising energy costs. From 1 July 2025, eligible businesses will receive a $325 electricity rebate, delivered in quarterly instalments throughout the financial year.

To qualify, your business must be classified as a ‘small customer’ under your state or territory’s electricity usage threshold. Roughly one million small businesses across the country are expected to benefit from the program.

This rebate builds on the previous round of energy support offered under the 2023–24 Energy Bill Relief Fund and sits alongside a separate $300 rebate that will be applied to all Australian households.

What It Means for Your Business

For many small business owners, energy costs are an unavoidable and growing operational burden. This rebate won’t solve broader cost pressures, but it does offer meaningful relief, especially as bills rise through winter.

The federal government has allocated $3.5 billion to the programme, highlighting its focus on easing utility expenses without increasing inflationary pressure. In fact, Treasury expects the measure to reduce headline inflation by approximately half a percentage point over the 2024–25 financial year.

Budget Relief Is Just the Start

While energy rebates offer some short-term breathing room, long-term business stability still depends on managing broader costs, from loan repayments to supplier pricing. 

At Peel Finance Brokers, we work with small business owners every day to ensure their finance solutions are aligned with current economic conditions and future plans. If high overheads or tightening margins are impacting your cash flow, now may be the right time to review your loan structures or explore new finance options. Contact Peel Finance Brokers today to speak with our team about practical solutions tailored to your business goals.