The state’s energy regulator has reassured Victorians experiencing energy bill stress as a result of summer bushfires and the coronavirus outbreak that help is available.
The Essential Services Commission has launched a campaign to inform customers across the state about the support energy retailers must offer that provides a safety net for Victorians who are facing payment difficulties.
Energy companies are required to support customers avoid getting into debt and offer advice and assistance for
The state’s pricing regulator is preparing to look at the maximum fares payable by passengers for catching a cab on the street.
The Essential Services Commission has released a consultation paper seeking feedback from taxi users and other stakeholders on its approach to reviewing the maximum fare that can be charged for ‘unbooked’ taxi services.
Unbooked services are where passengers hail a vehicle from the street or take a taxi from a rank while booked services are arranged prior to travel through an
Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code has been updated to meet the future needs of the state’s energy grid and support customers with technologies such as solar power.
The state’s energy regulator has published its final decision on the code’s technical standards which include updates to voltage standards and new distributor reporting requirements.
Commission energy director Sarah McDowell says the changes are aimed at ensuring Victoria’s energy grid supports new technologies such as solar power,
Amaysim Energy (also trading as Click Energy) has paid penalties totalling $600,000 after a sales agent allegedly faked customer details to sign them up without their consent.
The Essential Services Commission has issued 30 penalty notices to Amaysim Energy after a sales agent allegedly entered 19 customer’s details into an online form without their permission, to sign them onto new energy contracts.
Commission chairperson Kate Symons says gaining customers through fraudulent means undermines trust in
One in five Victorian councils decided to give ratepayers a break by holding rates steady at 2019–20 levels according to a report by the state’s economic regulator.
What we did
We engaged U1 Group to conduct user engagement research exploring the customer experience of comparing and changing energy offers, and the level of customer confidence and trust in the various comparison platforms.
Select findings
Most participants successfully identified a cheaper energy plan, or reaffirmed they were currently on one of the cheapest available plans
After comparing energy plans, 65 per cent of participants switched to a new plan.
Most
Changes to product approval requirements for lighting products with switchable wattage settings
We received an increasing number of lighting products with switchable wattage settings for approval under the VEU program for installation under building-based lighting upgrade (activity 34). We identified several administrative risks associated with the installation of this type of product.
Initial consultation – 9 October 2020
We had a small number of products containing switchable
Alinta Energy has paid penalties of $1.125 million for allegedly putting conditions on providing help to distressed customers despite the requirements of Victoria’s energy rules.
The Essential Services Commission issued the energy retailer with 75 penalty notices after it found Alinta caused distress to vulnerable customers by making them provide financial information before agreeing to set up payment plans.
There are many reasons why you might find yourself struggling to pay your water bills.Your water business can help you manage your bills and stay on top of things.Staying on top of things If you need help staying on top of your water bills, you can ask for assistance before things get out of control. At this stage, your water business must provide flexible payment plans according to your ability to pay.
Our biannual Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) forum was held last month (11 December 2019), following the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s consultation on future policy settings for the program.
Penalty notices
14 February 2020
Alinta Energy penalty notices 2020 (explicit informed consent)
(pdf, 3.36 MB)
Further information
Key audit results 2018–19
Blue NRG’s disconnection warning notices contained inaccurate overdue amounts.
… parliament. in starting this discussion, we are in no way foreshadowing parliament’s decision. however, we know that many of you want to know more about the proposed changes and what you can expect from us. today’s agenda as you are aware, as part of its energy fairness plan commitments, the victorian government is proposing reforms to the enforcement framework that the commission operates under. this legislation proposes a significant reform to the way we enforce compliance with
A new report shows Victoria’s water businesses delivering on promises to customers, despite the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Origin Energy companies have paid penalties totalling $5 million after allegedly charging prohibited exit fees to more than 20,000 gas and electricity small business customers.
… not comply by small amounts last year had taken steps to ensure ratepayers were not disadvantaged. “frankston city council returned funds to each ratepayer in the february quarterly rates notice, and pyrenees shire council limited its 2021–22 rate increase to account for the higher increase last year,” he said. in a first since rate caps were introduced in 2016–17, no councils applied for or had an approved higher cap for the 2021–22 financial year. the commission found
Helping Victorian households and small businesses maintain access to essential services during the pandemic has been a key focus for the state’s economic regulator over the past year.
The Essential Services Commission annual report for 2020–21 has been tabled in state parliament by the responsible minister, Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson.
6 December 2021
We have received a number of complaints and allegations of inappropriate conduct relating to in-home display activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. The types of complaints fall into three broad categories:
The Essential Services Commission has granted Telstra Energy (Retail) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Telstra Corporation Limited, licences to sell gas and electricity to Victorian consumers.
… unbooked taxi fare review 2022 we have completed our review of maximum fares for unbooked taxi services that begin in the melbourne metropolitan or urban and large regional zones. breadcrumb home consultation paper 16 february 2022 2022-02-15 submissions closed 16 march 2022 2022-03-16 draft decision 1 july 2022 2022-06-30 submissions closed 1 august 2022 2022-08-01 final … assessment of the maximum fares for unbooked taxis to apply from 1 october 2023. we applied the fare adjustment