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

New Victorian Default Offer prices

Find out more about the new Victorian Default Offer prices that apply from 1 January 2020.

New versions of energy codes

New versions of the Energy Retail Code and Electricity Distribution Code came into effect this month, with changes relating to life support equipment and support for customers experiencing family violence.

Water price reviews

We have commenced water price reviews for Melbourne Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, South Gippsland Water and Western Water.

Energy retailers audit reports

Our audits of five energy retailers found that inadequate systems, processes and training could lead to overcharging customers, wrongful disconnections or transferring customers without consent.

Latest News

Media releases

16 January 2020

Domestic building insurance premiums continue to fall

Average insurance premiums covering homeowners for problems when a builder dies, disappears or goes out of business are at their lowest level since 2012.

Media releases

23 December 2019

Regulator ready to act on retailers who misrepresent reason for price rises

"The Victorian energy regulator says it is keeping a watchful eye out for retailers who are blaming large post-Christmas electricity price rises on an unrelated moderate rise in the energy safety net (the Victorian default offer).

Media releases

19 December 2019

Energy company audit findings published

Inadequate systems, processes and training that could lead to overcharging customers, wrongful disconnections or transferring customers without consent are some of the key findings from audits of five Victorian electricity retailers released today by the state energy regulator.

Media releases

17 December 2019

Regulator welcomes price-setting changes from port

Victoria's economic regulator has provided informal feedback on how the Port of Melbourne set its regulated prices for the 2019-20 financial year.

Birds-eye view of Melbourne CBD at sunset with city lights on

Media releases

17 December 2019

Regulator sets out approach to assess competition

Victoria’s energy regulator has set out its approach to reviewing the competitiveness and efficiency of the state’s electricity and gas retail markets.

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

16 December 2019

Simply Energy pays $300,000 in penalties for failing to obtain consent before switching customers

Simply Energy has again been hit with penalties for allegedly switching customers without obtaining consent, including one case where the error wasn’t fixed for five months.

Featured consultations

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Water price reviews

We have received price submissions from Goulburn-Murray Water, South Gippsland Water and Western Water for prices to apply from 1 July 2020. Have your say until 24 January.

Assessing the energy retail market's competitiveness and efficiency

We have developed a framework for assessing the competitiveness and efficiency of the Victorian energy retail market, and are seeking feedback until 30 March 2020.