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ALT Look for the box on your energy bill that says 'could you save money on another plan?' Example of retailer best offer information: Based on your past usage, our Saver Plan may cost you up to $326 less per year than your current plan. To switch to this plan, call us on 1800 000 000, or visit retailer.com.au/plan-switch
ALT Did you know? High discounts advertised by electricity providers at the end of the last financial year may not roll over to 2024-25.
ALT Why? The Victorian Default Offer decreased by 6 per cent for households on 1 July 2024 which may affect the high discounts that were offered prior to 30 June 2024. Keep an eye out for any prices changes to your electricity. Your provider must notify you of these changes.
ALT With the Victorian Default Offer decreasing, there might be a better deal on the market. Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website (www.compare.energy.vic.gov.au) and use the Victorian Default Offer as a reference price to easily compare different electricity deals.
ALT Outgoing Essential Services Commission Chairperson Kate Symons smiling and delivering her farewell speech to staff.
ALT Victorian Energy Market Report June 2024 out now. Learn more.
ALT Published quarterly, our Victorian Energy Market Report aims to help you understand how the energy retail market works and what you can do to get the best out of it. Our latest report also highlights key compliance and enforcement outcomes we have delivered in the reporting period from 1 January to 31 March 2024.
ALT "Today, Victorians are entitled to nation leading consumer protections and the commission has the investigative tools and enforcement pathways of a modern regulator." - Kate Symons, Commissioner and Chairperson
ALT We have continued to take strong action against non-compliance with energy rules. We accepted a court enforceable undertaking from AusNet to pay affected customers $12 million in remediation for failing to provide adequate power outage information following extreme weather events. Retailers paid penalty notices totalling over $730,000 for alleged contraventions of Victorian energy rules relating to debt recovery, family violence and Guaranteed Service Level payments.
ALT The number of customers accessing tailored assistance in March 2024 has increased by 17 percent for gas and 10 percent for electricity compared to last year. 70,839 residential electricity customers and 62,370 residential gas customers on tailored assistance in March 2024.
ALT Check out our online, interactive Victorian Energy Market Dashboard. A visual summary of key trends in the energy market and the performance of energy retailers at your fingertips.
ALT Water prices across Victoria are set to change over 2024-25. Flip through to learn more.
ALT Typical household water bills are set to rise in line with inflation over 2024-25: • $33 (three per cent) increase in Melbourne • $50 (four per cent) increase in regional Victoria. Water bills vary depending on factors such as water usage, changes in borrowing costs and inflation.
ALT Across the state, customers will benefit from increasing investment by water businesses to maintain service quality, reliability, and to address key challenges such as climate change.
ALT If you are having trouble paying your water bill, contact your water business to receive help and information on payment plans, concessions, utility relief grants and tips on how to reduce your water usage.
ALT Our compliance and enforcement priorities 2024-25: Protecting the long-term interests of Victorian consumers
ALT Our energy compliance and enforcement priorities 2024-25: 1. Disconnections for non-payment – electricity and gas disconnections only occur as a last resort 2. Payment difficulty framework – energy retailers assist customers experiencing payment difficulty 3. Protecting customers experiencing vulnerability – helping Victorians experiencing vulnerability to access essential services
ALT Our energy compliance and enforcement priorities 2024-25 (continued): 4. Statutory land access powers – businesses comply with the Land Access Code of Practice 5. Consumer protections during widespread unplanned outages and emergency management – distributors provide clear and accurate information to consumers 6. Gas connection abolishment – businesses comply with the Gas Distribution Code of Practice, including new gas connection abolishment requirements
ALT Our VEU strategic compliance and enforcement priorities 2024-25: 1. Heat pump water heater installations – installations are correct first time, every time 2. Baseline manipulation – businesses provide accurate information about the type and number of products replaced 3. Telemarketing and doorknocking – businesses comply with the telemarketing and doorknocking bans
ALT Our enduring VEU compliance and enforcement priorities 2024-25: 1. Conduct that involves serious exploitation of consumer vulnerability 2. Conduct that could cause serious personal injury 3. Serious misleading, deceptive or fraudulent conduct 4. Conduct that could seriously compromise the program’s integrity 5. Conduct that could seriously compromise the program’s reputation
ALT Where to report complaints and concerns: Report complaints about your energy company to the Energy and Water Ombudsman on 1800 500 509. Report concerns about the Victorian Energy Upgrades program to veu@esc.vic.gov.au or 03 9032 1310.
ALT 2 tips to avoid bill shock this winter
ALT Tip 1: Check your own meter reading. You can compare an estimated bill against your meter reading and request an adjustment from your energy retailer.
ALT Known as a “self-read”, simply take a photo of your meter reading and submit to your energy retailer before your bill is due.
ALT If your energy retailer has undercharged you, they can only back-bill you for up to 4 months of charges.
ALT Tip 2: Check if you are on the best deal. Your energy company must tell you at least once every 4 months how much you could save by switching to the best energy plan they offer.
ALT Look for the box on your energy bill that says ‘could you save money on another plan?’ Example of retailer best offer information: Could you save money on another plan? Based on your past usage, our Saver Plan may cost you up to $326 less per year than your current plan. To switch to this plan, call us on 1800 000 000, or visit retailer.com.au/plan-switch
ALT Even if you are on the best deal from your current retailer, there might be a better deal on the market. You can use the free, independent Victorian Energy Compare website (www.compare.energy.vic.gov.au) to compare energy offers for a better deal.
ALT Image of person washing dishes with accompanying text: Did you know water prices for Greater Western Water are changing from 1 July 2024?
ALT Image of pivot irrigation watering crops with accompanying text: Did you know water prices for Goulburn-Murray Water are changing from 1 July 2024?
ALT Image of energy bill alongside stack of coins with the text: "Savings ahead with 2024-25 Victorian Default Offer. From 1 July 2024, default electricity prices will cut by $100 for Victorian households and $260 for small businesses."
