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

Victorian Default Offer

The Victorian Government has accepted and released our final advice on the Victorian Default Offer to apply from 1 July 2019, in response to the terms of reference issued in December 2018.

Accredited providers for energy efficient LED lighting installation

View our list of genuine energy efficient LED lighting providers participating in the VEU program and servicing households and businesses across Victoria.

Minimum feed-in tariff

We set minimum feed-in tariffs your energy company pays you for power you export to the grid (via sources including solar panels). New tariffs will apply from 1 July 2019.

Ensuring contracts are clear and fair

We have released an issues paper canvassing implementation options for the next round of reforms arising from an independent review of electricity and gas retail markets.

Latest News

An image showing a series of tyres spray-painted in different colours and half-buried in sand to form a low barrier near some grass.

Staff articles

06 June 2019

How ratepayers and councils helped shape our first outcomes report

Read about how we engaged with ratepayers, the broader community and councils to inform the development of our first outcomes report on the local government sector.

Media releases

05 June 2019

Making energy contracts clear and fair

Following confirmation of a default price for electricity commencing 1 July, the state’s energy regulator has released a paper focused on ways to make energy contracts fairer.

View of Warrnambool township looking down towards the lighthouse and ocean

Media releases

04 June 2019

Warrnambool and Mansfield get a nod for higher rates

Two of Victoria’s smaller councils have had higher rate caps approved after making their case to exceed the 2.5 per cent limit set by the Minister for Local Government.

An image showing Dr Ron Ben-David, Chairperson of the Essential Services Commission, seated at a table and talking to someone with their back to the camera.

Media releases

31 May 2019

A transformative leader moves on

Essential Services Commission chair Ron Ben-David has ended his term at the head of the state’s economic regulator after 10 years in the role.

Media releases

30 May 2019

Government accepts regulator’s advice on fair electricity price

The Victorian Government has accepted the Essential Services Commission’s advice about the price of a fairer price for electricity (the Victorian Default Offer).

Image of a taxi sitting in a taxi rank in a metropolitan street

Media releases

30 May 2019

Cutting costs for taxi users on the cards

Taxi users could save a little on taxi fares with the state’s price regulator proposing a drop in fees for those paying by card or other cashless options.

Featured consultations

View all current consultations

Taxi non-cash payment surcharge review

We are seeking feedback on our draft decision, as well as our approach to to our first determination (to keep the maximum surcharge at five per cent while we complete this review). Submissions on the draft decision are due by 22 July 2019. Submissions on our approach to first determination are due by 24 June 2019.

Ensuring energy contracts are clear and fair (retail market review implementation)

We have released an issues paper canvassing implementation options for the next round of reforms arising from an independent review of electricity and gas retail markets. Consultation closes 5 pm, 2 July 2019.