Energy companies must tell you how much you could save by switching to the best energy plan they offer. You’ll see ‘best offer’ information on your electricity and gas bills at least once every four months.
The ‘best energy offer’ is based on how much energy a customer has used over the past year and may be less than the independently set Victorian Default Offer.
Fact sheets to help you compare costs
All energy plans must have energy fact sheets that estimate
An energy company has paid a $900,000 penalty for allegedly overcharging hundreds of vulnerable Victorians by failing to apply concessions to customer’s bills, and then not notifying them in a timely way.
More than 2,500 Momentum Energy customers who qualified for concession discounts were allegedly overcharged more than $203,000 between July 2017 and May 2018.
Essential Services Commission chairperson Kate Symons says it isn’t the first time the company hasn’t followed the rules.
AGL LYP 1 Pty Ltd (ACN 078 121 187); AGL LYP 2 Pty Ltd (ACN 078 377 572); AGL LYP 3 Pty Ltd (ACN 078 377 572); and AGL LYP 4 B.V. (ARBN 073 074 530) applied to the commission under section 31 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) seeking approval to transfer a licence granted by the commission in respect of the Loy Yang A Power Station.
The applicants sought approval for the licence to be transferred to AGL Holdco Pty Ltd (ACN 155 768 291) and AGL Generation
… simply energy audit findings simply energy is victoria’s fourth largest energy retailer. breadcrumb home simply energy audit findings key audit results 2018–19 simply energy could not show us they had consistently obtained customers’ consent over the phone before switching customers to their plan. simply energy had quality issues regarding their sales calls but … Key Audit results 2018–19
Simply
The Essential Services Commission has initiated the Retailer of Last Resort process that will automatically transfer customers from failed gas retailer Weston Energy Pty Ltd (Weston Energy) to other retailers in Victoria to provide for the continued supply of essential gas services.
The Essential Services Commission has recommended that current regulated accident towing and storage fees remain appropriate and should only be increased in line with current indexation arrangements.
Under this scenario, how much you pay for vehicle towing and storage fees after an accident would only increase in line with annual adjustments based on the Melbourne Transport consumer price index minus a small productivity allowance.
The Essential Services Commission today published an explicit informed consent guideline, to provide clarity for energy retailers and consumers about the commission’s expectations.
We have completed our review of the maximum prices that Goulburn-Murray Water can charge for services provided to its customers from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028.Goulburn-Murray Water submitted its proposed prices on 29 September 2023.We assessed the proposal 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.Find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage
The Essential Services Commission is aware that a number of energy retailers are contacting customers advising them to find new retailers to avoid increases in consumer energy bills due to wholesale electricity market prices.
We recognise that consumers may be concerned about their ongoing energy supply or their ability to pay for their energy usage as the market enters a period of higher energy prices, and energy retailers adjust their products, services and messaging.
From 1 July 2022, every person and business involved in delivering discounted energy efficiency products and services under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program must follow an enforceable code of conduct.
More information
How we regulate the VEU program
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16 June 2022
Media release: Business suspended, certificates to be surrendered over alleged breaches of Victoria’s energy efficiency scheme
We set the maximum surcharge that applies when a taxi passenger pays for a fare using non-cash payment options, including credit, debit and charge cards.We review the surcharge every two years.Current maximum surchargeThe current determination sets out the maximum taxi non-cash payment surcharge.The current maximum surcharge is:
- 4 per cent for most non-cash payment methods
- 6 per cent for Cabcharge payment instruments.
The Essential Services Commission has released a consultation paper as it prepares to look at the maximum fee paid by taxi users when paying by non-cash methods.
The state transport regulator is seeking feedback on its proposed approach and methodology to reviewing the maximum surcharges.
The surcharge is currently set at maximum of four per cent for most non-cash payment methods, like credit and debit cards. It is six per cent when using Cabcharge.
The Essential Services Commission has released a guideline to support industry to trial new innovations that could benefit the long-term interests of Victorian energy consumers through its new regulatory sandboxing function.
As of this month, the Essential Services Commission can now grant time-limited waivers from existing rules to businesses that sell, supply, generate or transmit electricity or gas. This will enable businesses to test innovative technologies, approaches, business models,
Code of conduct to protect consumers now in force for Victorian Energy Upgrades program participants
Starting today, 1 July 2022, every business and person involved in engaging with consumers or responsible for creating energy efficiency certificates under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program must follow an enforceable code of conduct.
The Essential Services Commission has released its 2022-23 energy compliance and enforcement priorities today, warning energy businesses they must put Victorian consumer needs and protections first or face tough action from the regulator.
We have published a new guideline to help Victorian Energy Upgrades program participants understand the requirements of the incoming enforceable code of conduct and adapt their business practices accordingly.
11 July 2022
In light of the code of conduct coming into effect on 1 July, we previously advised that VEEC assignment forms used by accredited persons would need to be updated by 15 July.
These were to include the accredited person declaration.
As an alternative, we will also accept the accredited person declaration to be a separate document to the assignment form until 31 July.
From 1 August, all assignment forms need to be updated to incorporate the accredited person declaration.
Victoria’s energy regulator says falling wholesale electricity prices mean the minimum feed-in tariff paid to solar customers who feed their power back into the grid is likely to continue falling.
This guidance note is no longer in force.