Essential Services Commission

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

Featured work

How customers rate their water business

We surveyed water customers across 16 state-owned urban and regional water corporations on four key areas: value for money, reputation in the community, level of trust and overall satisfaction.

Victorian Energy Market Update: March 2019

Our latest update includes information on new energy licences, the proposed Victorian Default Offer, new rules we are implementing,feed-in tariff rates, customers in debt and facing disconnection, and energy company compliance.

Independent review of PREMO framework

We have released the results of an independent review of our water pricing framework, PREMO, and how well it is delivering on its objectives.

Reputation survey

You may receive an email asking you to complete a survey that helps us improve how we work.

Latest News

A graphic showing four things: a showerhead with running water, a washing machine, a running hose in a garden and a tap with a drip.

Media releases

12 April 2019

Victorian customers give water businesses a ‘solid pass with room to improve’

Victoria’s 16 state-owned water businesses have been given a ‘solid pass with room to improve’ in a survey of nearly 6,000 customers.

An image of railway tracks in a country landscape running towards a horizon with the sun setting in the background.

Media releases

11 April 2019

New part-time commissioner appointed

The Essential Services Commission welcomes the appointment of economic and social policy expert Simon Corden in the role of part-time commissioner.

A photo of Warrnambool township with the sea and a lighthouse in the background.

Media releases

03 April 2019

Warrnambool and Mansfield councils applying to exceed rate cap for 2019–20

Two councils – Warrnambool City and Mansfield Shire – have submitted applications to exceed the 2.5 per cent rate cap for 2019–20 to the Essential Services Commission.

An image showing a gavel resting in the forefront of the picture, while a set of hands writes on a piece of paper in the background.

Media releases

01 April 2019

Commission demands installer make good for falsely claiming energy efficiency activities

Victoria’s energy regulator has ordered Wattly Pty Ltd to surrender almost 38,000 Victorian energy efficiency certificates after being found to have breached the rules of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

Image of solar panels in the foreground, with wind turbines in the background.

Media releases

28 March 2019

New electricity generation increases in Victoria

The number of energy generation licences approved in Victoria has surged in the past eight months. According to the Essential Services Commission’s latest energy market report, nine electricity generation licences were granted between July 2018 and February 2019.

An image showing the sun in a slightly cloudy but mostly blue sky.

Media releases

26 March 2019

Customers yet to claim $382,000 in compensation for 2018 Australia Day outages

Almost 5000 Victorian households and small businesses owed money after the power went out over the 2018 Australia Day weekend have not cashed their cheques, according to an audit by the state’s energy regulator.