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Information on electricity licensing exemptions for sellers and suppliers
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Information for embedded electricity network customers
Our two submissions included a staff paper in response to the Inquiry's first consultation paper, and a submission in response to the inquiry's draft report.
On 1 July 2020, we introduced new rules to protect residential and small business consumers from unexpected energy price increases. These rules mean energy retailers are only allowed to increase prices once a year. For many customers, this will happen on a set date one month after network tariff prices change (usually on 1 August each year). Customers on fixed-price contracts will only experience any price increases on the
Eighteen months into the coronavirus pandemic, the community help sector has told the state’s economic regulator that rising debt is the number one issue for clients who are seeking help.
Representatives from 20 Victorian consumer and community help services told the Essential Services Commission that ‘buy now, pay later’ deals and a lack of intervention before high bills accumulate are adding to the situation.
Simply Energy has paid a $5000 penalty for the alleged wrongful disconnection of a visually impaired, elderly woman’s power and consequently her heating during a cold snap earlier this year.
Evidence obtained by the Essential Services Commission showed the customer called Simply Energy in April 2021 to let them know she was moving to a new house in May, but the company inadvertently disconnected her power 18 days early.
Penalty notice
13 August 2021
Simply Energy penalty notice 2021 (wrongful disconnection)
(pdf, 161.65 KB)
Further information
Penalty notices
16 September 2021
Origin Energy penalty notices 2021 (exit fees) - EIPN(E) 173-2021 to EIPN(E) 272-2021
(pdf, 23.68 MB)
16 September 2021
Origin Energy penalty
We conduct periodic reviews of accident towing and storage fees every four years. This review included an issues paper and a draft report. Interested stakeholders were invited to make submissions on both of these documents. We recommended that the current level of fees and annual productivity adjustment factor continue to apply. We also recommended that the Minister for Roads regulate basic salvage services and set a basic prescribed fee for these services.
On 23 July 2013,
Reforms to Victoria’s energy industry introduced by the Essential Services Commission are delivering a less confusing market, according to the latest report from the state’s independent economic regulator.
The March Victorian energy market update shows changes to the energy rules have helped simplify the market, making it easier for consumers to compare energy deals.
Acting executive director energy Dean Wickenton says the market is getting easier to navigate.
… be subject to the default rate cap for the first time since the introduction of rate capping in 2015. three councils with current higher caps – warrnambool, towong and west wimmera – all expire on 30 june 2020. the average rate cap is the maximum percentage increase allowable in councils’ average rates for the forthcoming financial year. a recent commission report showed that in 2020–21 most councils complied with the current rate cap, or an approved higher cap. useful resources annual
The amount of household debt has escalated since the start of the pandemic, according to the latest data from Victoria’s independent economic regulator.
While the number of customers in debt to gas and electricity companies has slowly, but steadily increased, the amount owed has risen sharply and now stands at more than $103 million.
Penalty notices
20 April 2021
Powershop penalty notices 2021 (solar discrimination)
(pdf, 3.99 MB)
Further information
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We have approved 2021-22 prices for Goulburn-Murray Water. You can find the approved prices here.
We reviewed Goulburn-Murray Water's proposed 2021-22 prices to ensure they meet the requirements of the 2020 determination. Our review found the proposed prices met the requirements of the determination.
Goulburn-Murray Water has outlined that its proposal is consistent with its price determination.
We invited submissions from interested stakeholders
We are responsible for setting, and annually reviewing, the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) prices. The default offer is designed to be a simple, trusted and reasonably priced electricity option that safeguards customers that are unwilling or unable to engage in the market.
We have set the Victorian Default Offer prices to apply from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022.
Our final
Victorian Government coronavirus website
View information on exposure sites, testing and restrictions.
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28 October 2021
The Victorian Government has announced that from 6.00pm, Friday 29 October 2021 there will be a further easing of restrictions across
2 June 2021
New coronavirus restrictions
The Victorian Government has announced circuit-breaker restrictions that will be in place from 11.59 pm Thursday 27 May 2021 and are expected to remain in place until 11:59 pm on Thursday 10 June.
Apsu Power Pty Ltd (ACN 613 995 243) 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).The applicant proposed to generate electricity at the Apsu solar farm located approximately 33 kilometres north of Shepparton, in the town of Numurkah.Consultation on the licence application closed on 15 July 2021.We granted the licence on 28 July 2021.
Safeguarding the community and protecting the rights of Victorian households and small businesses have been among the main priorities for Victoria’s independent economic regulator during the past year of unprecedented challenges.
As outlined in its Annual Report 2019-20, tabled today in parliament by Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson, the Essential Services Commission held the providers of essential services to account and responded directly to the needs of the Victorian community.
… centre without its consent, believing it had obtained consent from the person responsible for that address’ energy use. what we audited we required 1st energy to undergo an independent audit by deloitte to check 1st energy’s understanding and compliance with their obligation to obtain explicit informed consent from customers and to transfer the correct customer. we asked deloitte to assess 1st energy for the period may to september 2019 and follow up on key issues arising from the