The NSW Government delivers assistance to customers in the form of energy social programs. For most customers, the NSW Government delivers these programs through a customer’s energy retailer.

Retailers must deliver the NSW Government's energy assistance measures and can claim reimbursement from the NSW Government. 

To make sure that retailers implement the NSW Government's energy social programs fairly, the NSW Government publishes Social Programs for Energy Codes that outline the requirements. 

There can be multiple Codes in effect at the same time.

Codes currently in effect

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.4

The NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.4 was published on 31 July 2026 in the NSW Government Gazette No 307 of 31 July 2026 [NSWGG-2026-307-1]. It sets out the rules for all NSW retailers delivering the NSW energy rebate programs and Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA).

In effect from: 24 August 2026

Replaced: NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.3

NSW Social Programs for Energy (Energy Debt Relief Trial) Code version 1.0

The NSW Social Programs for Energy (Energy Debt Relief Trial) Code (version 1.0) was published on 17 December 2024 in the NSW Government Gazette No 500 of 17 December 2024. It sets out the rules for retailers delivering a closed debt relief trial program operating in the 2024-25 financial year.

In effect from: 17 December 2024

This Code requires retailers to identify and categorise eligible customers using version 1.0 of the Energy Debt Relief Trial - Methodology for Identifying Eligible Customers (PDF, 697 KB).

Previous versions

Previous versions of the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code are linked below for reference. Some of these provisions remain in effect.

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.3

Preceding version 8.4, the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.3 was published on 12 November 2025 in the NSW Government Gazette No 465 of 12 November 2025. This version was revoked on 24 August 2026.

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.2

Preceding version 8.3, the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.2 was published on 24 June 2025 in the NSW Government Gazette No 252 of 24 June 2025 (PDF, 1 MB). Note: The correct NSW energy rebate values were published in the erratum of the NSW Government Gazette No 264 of 27 June 2025 (PDF, 481 KB). This version was revoked on 12 November 2025.

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.1

Preceding version 8.2, the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.1 was published on 8 August 2024 in the NSW Government Gazette No 301 of 08 August 2024. This version was revoked on 30 June 2025. 

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.0 

Preceding version 8.1, the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 8.0 was published on 31 June 2024 in the NSW Government Gazette No 240 of Friday 28 June 2024. This version was revoked on 8 August 2024. 

NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 7.1

Preceding version 8.0, the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code version 7.1 was published on 25 July 2023 in the NSW Government Gazette No 326 of Tuesday 25 July 2023. This version was revoked on 30 June 2024.