What does this concession apply to?
- Mains water accounts.
Who can apply for the concession?
A water account holder who:
- holds an eligible concession card (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card) and
- uses an eligible life support machine or
- has a household member who uses a haemodialysis machine.
What machines are eligible for the concession?
- Haemodialysis machines.
How much is the concession?
The water discount for haemodialysis users is the cost of 168 kilolitres (42 kilolitres per quarter) of water each year.
How do I apply for the concession?
Application forms are available in the Related Resources section below or by phoning:
- your water corporation or
- the Concessions Information Line 1800 658 521 (toll free).
Can I also receive a concession on my electricity?
Haemodialysis machine users also receive a concession on their electricity. Visit Life Support Concession (electricity) or Non-Mains Life Support Concession.
More information
Phone your water corporation or the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
Further information
Can my GP or usual doctor sign this form?
Yes.
The form can be signed by any doctor or nurse who can confirm that you are using the life support machine, or by a hospital social worker who assists with your life support machine.
My machine is not listed – is it eligible for a concession?
Eligible machines are those that use a high level of electricity - at least 1,880 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Only the listed machines are eligible for a concession.
I do not have a concession card but I use a life support machine – can I apply for the concession?
No.
The concession is only available for concession households.
Can the concession be backdated?
Yes. The concession can be applied from the date of installation or for 12 months, whichever is shorter.
If your concession card starts at a later date, the concession is only available from the card start date.
How is the concession calculated?
The water discount for haemodialysis users is the cost of 168 kilolitres (42 kilolitres per quarter) of water each year.
Check with your retailers for details of how they will apply this. Some retailers will pay this as a quarterly lump sum and others will pay this as a daily discount.
Are there any other payments that can assist me?
Yes. The Essential Medical Equipment Payment is an annual payment provided by Centrelink for Australians with higher-than-average energy costs because they rely on essential medical equipment in their home.
This additional support is available to concession card holders (and their carers) who use essential medical equipment or who medically require heating/cooling at home to manage a disability or medical condition.
For more information and to apply, visit the Essential Medical Equipment Payment webpage on the Federal Government's Department of Human Services website.