Air conditioning for seniors and pensioners in WA: concessions and support

Cost is one of the biggest reasons older Perth residents avoid running their air conditioning through summer, even when the heat genuinely affects their health and comfort. If you’re a senior or pensioner in WA, it’s worth knowing what support might be available before deciding to just do without.

What kind of support typically exists

WA energy retailers and the state government run concession schemes aimed at eligible seniors, pensioners and people facing genuine hardship with energy costs. The specifics of what’s available, and who qualifies, shift over time, so rather than list figures that may be out of date by the time you read this, the more useful step is knowing exactly who to ask.

• Your energy retailer’s concessions team. They can usually check your eligibility on the spot and explain what applies to your account specifically.
• The WA Department of Communities. They handle broader hardship and seniors support programs beyond just energy concessions.
• Your local council’s aged care or community services team. Some councils run their own local support programs or can point you toward current state and federal options.

Don’t assume you don’t qualify

A lot of eligible people never apply simply because they assume they won’t qualify, based on outdated information or a rule that’s changed since they last checked. Some concessions are tied to holding a WA Seniors Card rather than receiving a full pension, so it’s worth confirming your specific situation directly rather than ruling yourself out in advance.

Beyond bill assistance

If cost is the reason an existing system isn’t being used enough, or a faulty one hasn’t been repaired, it’s also worth weighing the health risk of avoiding air conditioning against the running cost itself. Heat affects older adults more seriously and less predictably than younger people, and a working, well-used system genuinely matters during Perth’s hottest stretches. If a repair or service has been put off because of cost, ask a contractor directly about the price range before assuming it’s out of reach, since a small repair is often far cheaper than living without cooling through summer. If the day-to-day cost of running the system worries you more than a repair bill, our guide on cutting your aircon running costs in WA without buying a new system has practical ways to bring the bill down.

Where to check	What they can help with
Your energy retailer	Bill concessions, payment plans, hardship support
WA Department of Communities	Broader hardship and seniors support programs
Local council aged care services	Local programs, referrals to state and federal support
A licensed contractor	Honest advice on repair versus replacement cost

A few practical next steps

Start with a single phone call to your energy retailer’s concessions line, since that’s usually the fastest way to get a clear answer about what applies to your account. If a system needs repair rather than just running more efficiently, get a written quote so you know the actual number rather than an assumption, and ask whether the contractor offers any payment flexibility for the work.

If a family member is helping you look into this

It’s common for an adult child or another family member to be the one making these calls on a senior’s behalf, and that’s worth mentioning upfront when you ring a retailer or council service, since some processes need the account holder’s consent even if someone else is doing the legwork. Having the account details, Seniors Card number and a summary of the situation ready before the call speeds things up considerably.

If cost has been the reason a repair or service has been put off for a while, it’s worth getting a written quote even before deciding whether you can afford it. Seeing an actual number, rather than assuming the worst, often makes the decision easier, and some contractors are willing to talk through payment options directly if you ask.

Don’t wait for a crisis to look into support

The best time to check what you’re eligible for is before a heatwave arrives, not during one, when energy retailers and community services are busier and appointments with contractors are harder to book. A single check-in call early in spring, alongside a pre-season service booking, sets a senior or pensioner household up far better than scrambling once the first genuinely hot week hits.

For guides on running costs, servicing and choosing a contractor, visit our home page. You can read about how we assess and rank local contractors on our methodology page.