We are preparing to review submissions from Melbourne Water and North East Water on their proposed prices and key service outcomes to apply from 1 July 2026.The two water businesses are due to submit their proposals by 1 October 2025.The proposals will be assessed against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order, and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.PREMO includes incentives for each water business to put
We are preparing for North East Water's new water prices to apply from 1 July 2026We have provided North East Water with guidance on what it should include in its price submission.In early October 2025, North East Water must provide us with a price submission outlining the prices it proposes to apply for a period beginning 1 July 2026. North East Water must engage with its customers to inform its price submission. The price submission will also set out the service levels and value
We are responsible for monitoring and reporting on the competitiveness and efficiency of the Victorian retail markets for electricity and gas.The dashboard provides a visual summary of key trends in the energy market and the performance of energy retailers.It pieces together key facts about the energy industry in areas such as retailers’ customer service and assistance provided to customers in payment difficulty.We provide updates on the energy market throughout the year.
19 December 2024: On 10 December 2024 the commission published the following pages associated with the Water Performance Report 2023-24:
On 5 December 2024 Lumea Pty Ltd as trustee for the Lumea Trust (Lumea Pty Ltd) (ACN 626 136 865) applied to the Essential Services Commission for an electricity transmission licence in Victoria. Public consultation on this application closed on 20 January 2025. You can read the submission we received in the Resources tab above.We granted the licence on 5 March 2025.
The Essential Services Commission today released its annual Council Rate Cap Compliance Report, showing each of Victoria’s 79 local councils kept their rate increases within the 2.75 per cent cap for 2024–25 set by the Minister for Local Government.
Water businesses are required to provide minimum levels of service to customers. These are called ‘guaranteed service levels’ and relate to things including communication with customers, water supply and water quality.
When residential water customers don’t pay their bills, water businesses can restrict their water supply or take legal action against them. This action should only be taken as a last resort.
Hardship related guaranteed service level measures discourage water
21 March 2017
Overview of the Port of Melbourne and the Essential Services Commission’s regulatory roles
We are responsible for administering a number of new economic regulatory functions applying to the leased Port of Melbourne. This information paper describes the relevant aspects of the lease of the Port of Melbourne and our roles
In response to recommendations from Victoria's Royal Commission into Family Violence, we amended our water customer service codes to require water businesses to provide assistance to customers and staff experiencing family violence.
Family violence resources
Family violence resources for businesses
The Victorian Government asked us to verify that customers were repaid certain amounts in relation to the construction of a desalination plant.
We released a paper, Opinion Report - Return of Additional Desalination Payments, that outlined whether an additional return of desalination funds to customers was appropriate (on top of those being returned via the 2012-13 price freeze).
We also released quarterly progress reports and an independent audit report
We approved a mechanism to allow Barwon Water to apply for tariff adjustments to deal with the impact of uncertain and unforeseen events.
Examples of uncertain and unforeseen events that could justify an application under this mechanism include:
- significant changes in the timing or costs associated with major capital (or other) projects
- significant differences between actual and forecast demand levels
- changes in legislative and other Government
… regulator’s review of electricity distributors’ emergency preparedness and customer communication 23 june 2025 the essential services commission has recently completed its review of the systems and processes victoria’s electricity distributors have in place to deliver reliable and timely information to their customers during unplanned outages and emergencies. this includes provisions for people who rely on electricity for their life-support equipment. the review forms
… agl and apg disconnection warning notice undertaking 2015 we accepted an administrative undertaking from agl regarding disconnection warning notices that did not comply with the energy retail code. project started 2000-01-02 project completed 2001-01-02 overview agl sales pty ltd (agl) acquired australian power and gas pty ltd (apg) in september 2013. while they are separately licensed, apg is wholly owned by agl. view all electricity … from agl for
On 24 July 2023, Sun Spot 3 Pty Ltd (ACN 618 128 733) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Consultation of the licence application closed on 21 August 2023. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licence on 29 August 2023.
On 26 July 2023, Pacific Blue Smart Communities Pty Ltd (ACN 151 241 673) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale, and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).Consultation on the licence application closed on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. We did not receive any submissions.We granted the licence on 26 September 2023.
As required under the Local Government Act, we:
- assess, then accept or reject higher cap applications
- undertake council compliance reports, provide advice to the Minister for Local Government on the annual rate cap and other matters
- develop guidance and resources for councils and undertake studies and reviews as required
- report on outcomes in the sector
We received and assessed five applications for higher caps. We received applications ranging from one to four years.
From 2017, councils can apply for up to four years of higher caps.
Council
Higher cap being sought (including minister's rate cap)
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Decision
Pyrenees Shire Council
3.5%
3.5%
na
na
Approved
Hindmarsh Shire Council
4
The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme is about to undergo a makeover, with new regulations, a new online presence and a new name.
From 10 December, the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme will be officially known across the commission’s websites and documentation as the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
The name change will be rolled out alongside remade regulations, following the mandatory 10-year review.
The VEET scheme commenced in 2009, in order to:
How to apply to become accreditedOnly accredited persons are able to create certificates under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. To apply to become an accredited person, you must;
- open a VEU account
- read the Application Guide for Accredited Persons at the bottom of this page
- complete the online accreditation form under "My Account - Accreditation and VSRA in the VEU Registry
- pay the $3,000 accreditation fee (once you have been invoiced by
By Jessica Gregory, a policy analyst in our energy team
On 1 November 2018, the Thriving Communities Partnership and Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE) held a national roundtable on organisational responses to family violence. Representatives from the corporate and community sectors came together to consider new research from WIRE by Dr Nilmini Fernando.