Electricity - What Can I Claim?
Electricity bills can generally be claimed under the Living Expenses benefit if the expense has been incurred by you (or your spouse/partner) and the bill includes GST. You must provide acceptable proof of purchase and proof of payment to support your claim.
What you can claim
- Electricity bills that attract GST.
- Electricity expenses paid by you or your spouse/de facto partner.
- Overseas utility expenses may be considered where the cost is converted to Australian Dollars (AUD) and appropriate supporting documentation is provided.
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Examples
Can I claim my quarterly electricity bill?
Sarah receives an electricity bill for her home and pays it herself. The bill includes GST and clearly shows the amount charged. Sarah can claim this expense as a Living Expense as she can show valid proof of purchase and payment.*
Can I claim an electricity bill paid by my partner?
Michael's spouse pays the household electricity bill. As spouses and de facto partners are eligible, Michael can claim the amount paid by his spouse if the tax invoice and proof of payment are provided.*
Can I claim an electricity bill that is in my housemate's name?
Emily shares accommodation and the electricity account is in her housemate's name. Emily can provide evidence showing she paid part of the bill, so she can claim the portion of the bill that she paid for.*
Can I claim an electricity bill paid by a friend on my behalf?
James' friend paid the electricity bill and James did not reimburse them. The claim is not eligible as the expense was entirely paid for by someone other than James.*
Can I submit an EFTPOS receipt as proof of my electricity payment?
The claim cannot be processed as an EFTPOS receipt alone is not a valid proof purchase or payment.*