In the 2006/07 State Budget, the Government announced that it allocated funding to an energy subsidy to be designed and introduced for people with severe medical conditions requiring that the temperature of their immediate surroundings be artificially controlled to avoid serious health risk.

The Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Subsidy Scheme assists with the energy costs of operating heating and/or cooling equipment at home for financially disadvantaged persons with medical conditions resulting in clinical thermoregulatory dysfunction.

About the condition

Approximately 1500 Western Australians suffer severe, chronic medical conditions that have thermoregulatory dysfunction as a complication.  This is an inability of the body to control its own core temperature. 

At extreme temperatures and without outside intervention, serious medical consequences are possible, potentially leading to permanent physical damage and even death from hypothermia or heatstroke. 

The health disorders associated with this condition usually also involve a degree of paralysis or limited mobility.  Passive measures to adjust the patient’s body temperature (eg blankets or cool baths) are not always practical, and air conditioning or heating is the most effective way to keep the person’s body temperature within a safe range.

Typically people with Thermoregulatory Dysfunction have conditions such as:

Quadriplegia and Paraplegia (above the level of T4);

Severe Multiple Sclerosis and other severe demyelinating disorders;

Advanced Motor Neurone Disease;

Severe stroke or head injury resulting in a vegetative state; and

Multiple amputation (three or four limbs)

How the scheme was developed

The Minister for Energy responded to concerns raised by and on behalf of people with thermoregulatory dysfunction, by approving a review led by the Office of Energy into the equity and effectiveness of the Seniors’ Air Conditioning Rebate Scheme in assisting people in genuine need.

The review focused particularly on the energy costs faced by people with severe and chronic health conditions involving thermoregulatory dysfunction. 

These people incur significantly higher energy costs compared with the average person because of their clinical need to use air conditioners or heaters to control the temperature of their personal environment. This can cause financial hardship for such people if they or their carers are unable to work and are dependent on income support. 

An interdepartmental working group comprising representatives from the Office of Energy, Department of Health, Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering (Department for Community Services), the Disability Services Commission, Western Power, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and the Department of Treasury and Finance (Office of State Revenue) conducted the review. 

The working group investigated energy subsidy schemes provided on medical grounds in other jurisdictions, and consulted medical experts to identify an appropriate definition and an initial list of conditions in which thermoregulatory dysfunction is a recognised complication. 

The working group recommended the introduction of an energy subsidy for financially disadvantaged people suffering from severe, chronic health disorders resulting in thermoregulatory dysfunction as a clinical symptom. 

Energy subsidy information

The level of subsidy is based on the Seniors’ Air Conditioning Rebate, which meets the cost of 200kWh of power per month, or $27.88.  This is sufficient to operate an air conditioner drawing 1.1Kw of power (appropriate for a 30 square metre room) for six hours every day.   This results in an annual subsidy per eligible person of $335.

The subsidy will be administered by the Office of State Revenue which also administers the Life Support Equipment Energy Subsidy.

To be eligible the person suffering Thermoregulatory Dysfunction must be:

• certified by their treating physician as suffering clinical thermoregulatory dysfunction, as a result of their condition, that is of such severity that without artificial control of their immediate physical environment they would suffer serious adverse consequences and further medical complications.
  
  
• in possession of a valid means tested concession card issued by either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, being either a: Pensioner Concession Card; Health Care Card; or Health Care Interim Voucher.

The payment of subsidies started on 1 January 2007. Application forms for the subsidy are available from the Office of State Revenue now at http://www.dtf.wa.gov.au/cms/osr_content.asp?id=1691.
 
The Office of Energy engaged Dr Kim Fong to provide a report on medical guidelines for the Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Subsidy Scheme and an Information Sheet for Doctors. Download these documents via the links below:

Medical Guidelines for TDES (PDF)

Information Sheet for Doctors (PDF)

Go to http://www.adobe.com/au/products/acrobat/readstep2.html  to download Adobe Reader free to view PDF documents.