Essential Services Commission

We promote the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

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Featured work

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EnergyAustralia fined over $1 million for giving customers incorrect information about its best energy deals

EnergyAustralia has been penalised $1,066,986 for allegedly giving over 150,000 customers incorrect information about its best energy deal in communications about price changes.

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New energy rules tackle unnecessary complexity around ‘same name, different price’ plans

The Essential Services Commission is changing Victoria’s energy rules to make it easier for customers to switch to their retailer’s cheapest plan.


 

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Water price review 2026

We are reviewing submissions from Melbourne Water and North East Water on their proposed prices and key service outcomes to apply from 1 July 2026.

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Regulator seeks feedback on Victorian default offer and suitability of free power period

The Essential Services Commission is seeking feedback on its approach to setting Victoria’s default electricity price for 2026-27 and the suitability of a regulated free power period for residential customers.

Latest News

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Media releases
02 December 2025

Alpine and Hindmarsh councils not compliant with rate caps

The Essential Services Commission’s annual Council Rate Cap Compliance Report shows two of the state’s 79 local councils exceeded the three per cent rate cap set by the Minister for Local Government.
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Media releases
27 November 2025

ENGIE fined $1.2 million after becoming Victoria’s most complained about energy retailer

Energy retailer ENGIE has been penalised $1,206,050 for allegedly failing to respond to customer complaints about billing issues in a timely manner. One customer waited over a year to have their bill reviewed.
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News update
27 November 2025

Streamlining public lighting regulation

The Essential Services Commission is revoking the Public Lighting Code to remove unnecessary overlap and outdated rules.
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Media releases
18 November 2025

New energy rules tackle unnecessary complexity around ‘same name, different price’ plans

The Essential Services Commission is changing Victoria’s energy rules to make it easier for customers to switch to their retailer’s cheapest plan.
A woman looking at bills and using a calculator.
Electricity and gas icon
Media releases
14 November 2025

Regulator seeks feedback on Victorian default offer and suitability of free power period

The Essential Services Commission is seeking feedback on its approach to setting Victoria’s default electricity price for 2026-27 and the suitability of a regulated free power period for residential customers.
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Media releases
11 November 2025

Greater Western Water customers to receive $130 million redress package after billing failures

The Essential Services Commission has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking requiring Greater Western Water to provide a $130 million customer remediation package – the largest undertaking the commission has ever accepted.
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Featured consultations

View all current consultations

Melbourne Water price review 2026 - consultation closes 12 December 2025

North East Water price review 2026 - consultation closes 12 December 2025

Victorian Default Offer price review 2026–27 - consultation closes 12 December 2025