We are responsible for setting and annually reviewing the Victorian Default Offer 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 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
Our final decision means Victorian Default Offer prices will increase in
Read our media release
17 March 2022
Two Victorian energy retailers pay almost $2m for allegedly failing to meet energy efficiency obligations
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Blue NRG paid a penalty of $1,585,082.72 after we issued the company with a Victorian energy
At our first community sector roundtable for the year, the community support sector told the Essential Services Commission that in the first few months of 2022 they have seen ongoing hardship being experienced by many in the community, and emphasised the importance for customers to have access to utility concessions and consistent financial hardship support from energy retailers.
Representatives from 20 consumer and community support organisations attended last week’s roundtable meeting.
22 April 2022
Updated product application guide for water heating products
In conjunction with the New South Wales’ Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), we have integrated the application process for residential heat pumps and solar hot water heater products across the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program and New South Wales’ Energy Savings Scheme (ESS).
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
11 October 2021
Update in definition of voltage reduction units
We have updated our lighting product application guide to clarify the definition and requirements of voltage reduction units for product category 34 (building based lighting upgrade products).
… update to veec creation form and activity guide for public lighting upgrade (activity 27) we have made changes to the victorian energy efficiency certificate creation form for public lighting upgrade in the victorian energy upgrades (veu) program. breadcrumb home update to veec creation form and activity guide for public lighting upgrade (activity 27) 21 october 2021 changes to certificate creation form
25 October 2021
Extension for relevant entities to surrender 2021 compliance year certificate liability
Letter from the CEO of the commission
(pdf, 133.35 KB)
25 October 2021
The commission has decided to extend the due date for
In a year where stay-at-home restrictions led to bigger power bills for many Victorians, almost 200,000 homes will save an average of $229 per year thanks to energy efficiency upgrades.
11 November 2021
Following stakeholder feedback, we have made changes to our requirements and product criteria in relation to water heating and space heating activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
As we reach the end of another challenging year, we wanted to share some of the approaches the water sector has taken to provide more targeted customer support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Context for this review
In 2021 we foreshadowed with stakeholders that a process would be undertaken to review and update all Victorian energy retail licences. We are now getting that process underway.
We have written to each retailer with a proposal to vary their licences. The changes we are proposing to the licences are predominantly administrative in nature and proposed for one of three reasons:
- to reflect recent changes to the regulation of energy in Victoria,
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.
After penalising 1st Energy in 2019, we followed up with an audit to re-examine their understanding of what it means to obtain explicit informed consent from a customer before transferring them.
Download the update as a PDF
4 January 2021
Changes to licensing requirements for plug in style refrigerated cabinets
(pdf, 131.95 KB)
4 January 2021
Current requirements for installing refrigerated display cabinets
Our current training/
Penalty notices
18 December 2020
Alinta Energy penalty notices 2020 (imposing conditions on assistance)
(pdf, 1.13 MB)
Further information
22 January 2021
Download this update as a PDF
(pdf, 133.4 KB)
22 January 2021
Our mandatory safety training units (VU21858 and VU21859) expired on 31 December 2020. As part of the reaccreditation process, the content of these two training units have
Licence grantedIpower Pty Ltd and Ipower 2 Pty Ltd (trading in partnership as ENGIE) was granted an electricity retail licence and gas retail licence on 28 June 2005. The licences can be accessed via the resources tab.Licence variedThe licences were last varied on 14 May 2024.
Licences granted
Shell Energy Retail Pty Ltd was granted an electricity retail licence on 31 October 2007 and a gas retail licence on 13 February 2013. The licence can be accessed via the resources tab.
Licences varied
The licences were last varied on 28 July 2022 (with effect from 12 September 2022).
Licence granted
Origin Energy (Vic) Pty Ltd was granted a gas retail licence on 11 December 2017. The licence can be accessed via the resources tab.
Licence varied
This licence was last varied on 28 July 2022 (with effect from 12 September 2022).