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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Electricity and gas icon

Rules to help Victorians access affordable energy and tackle ‘loyalty tax' proposed by regulator

The Essential Services Commission is proposing new rules to require energy retailers to move certain customers onto cheaper plans. The commission estimates these rules would have saved customers an average of around $225 on electricity and $182 on their gas each year.

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Electricity and gas icon

Report helps support energy and water customers experiencing family violence

The Essential Services Commission has today welcomed the release of a discussion paper designed to help the energy and water sectors identify risks and prevent harm for customers experiencing family violence.

Woman looking anxious while holding a mobile phone
Victorian Energy Upgrades icon

Business fined $69,231 for illegal telemarketing

Astra Green Solutions Pty Ltd (trading as Astra Green) has been penalised $69,231 for breaching a ban on cold-call telemarketing in the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

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Electricity and gas icon

Origin penalised $17.6 million for failings affecting over 650,000 customers

Australia’s largest energy retailer, Origin Energy, has been ordered to pay $17,605,000 by the Supreme Court of Victoria after admitting to breaches of Victoria’s energy rules that affected 668,750 customers.

Latest News

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News update
19 May 2025

Indigo Shire's request for higher rate cap approved

Following a request from Indigo Shire Council, the Essential Services Commission has approved an application for a higher rate cap of 7.54 per cent for the 2025-26 financial year, 4.54 percentage points above the 3 per cent cap set by the Minister for Local Government.

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Electricity and gas icon
Media releases
19 May 2025

Report helps support energy and water customers experiencing family violence

The Essential Services Commission has today welcomed the release of a discussion paper designed to help the energy and water sectors identify risks and prevent harm for customers experiencing family violence.

An image showing a hand flicking a large electricity switch on a blue wall
Electricity and gas icon
Media releases
16 May 2025

Rules to help Victorians access affordable energy and tackle ‘loyalty tax' proposed by regulator

The Essential Services Commission is proposing new rules to require energy retailers to move certain customers onto cheaper plans. The commission estimates these rules would have saved customers an average of around $225 on electricity and $182 on their gas each year.

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Electricity and gas icon
Staff articles
16 May 2025

Customers on older plans significantly better off on their retailer’s best offer

Electricity customers on older plans could be significantly better off on their retailer’s best offer, potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually.
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News update
12 May 2025

Hepburn's request for higher rate cap approved

Following a request from Hepburn Shire Council (Hepburn), the Essential Services Commission (the commission) has approved an application for a higher rate cap of 10 per cent for the 2025-26 financial year, 7 per centage points above the 3 per cent cap set by the Minister for Local Government.

Woman looking anxious while holding a mobile phone
Victorian Energy Upgrades icon
Media releases
08 May 2025

Business fined $69,231 for illegal telemarketing

Astra Green Solutions Pty Ltd (trading as Astra Green) has been penalised $69,231 for breaching a ban on cold-call telemarketing in the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
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