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Question and Answer Tracking Details

9575 - COMPLAINTS ABOUT BILLING ISSUES TO THE ENERGY & WATER OMBUDSMAN

Hornery, Sonia to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, and Special Minister for State representing the Minister for Resources, Minister for Energy and Utilities, Minister for Arts, Vice-President of the Executive Council

What steps is the Government taking to address the increasing number of complaints about billing issues being made to the Energy & Water Ombudsman?

Answer -

I am advised:

The cost of bill are the main issue raised in these complaints.

The  Government is implementing a range of measures to assist households and businesses reduce their energy costs. This includes:

  • implementing the Energy Affordability Package, which included increasing all rebates by 20 per cent. The Low Income Household Rebate, which is open to many concession card holders, has increased from $235 to $285 per year per household. The Family Energy Rebate has increased from $150 to $180 per year per household, and the Gas Rebate has increased from $90 to $110 per year per household.
  • abolishing unnecessary retailer fees from 1 January 2018. The prohibition on early termination fees, paper bill fees and fees for paying through Australian Post outlets can save customers up to $30 per year.
  • implementing a $72 million package of energy efficiency measures to enable households and businesses to use new technology to reduce their energy costs. This includes $24.5 million for upgrades to more than 20,000 rental homes for energy efficiency lighting, heating and hot water systems.
  • rolling out a $15 million Solar for Low Income Households trial program, providing solar panels to low income households to help them reduce their electricity bills. Up to 3,400 households will be able to save up to $300 each year on their bills.
  • developing Energy Switch, a free service which helps customers find a better energy deal and initiate the request to switch retailers. Through a comparison tool, customers will be shown the best priced plans from retailers based on the usage detailed in their current bill. Customers can then initiate a switch to a preferred energy retailer, based on their preferences.

Question asked on 17 October 2018 (session 56-1) and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 207
Answer received on 21 November 2018 and printed in Questions & Answers Paper No. 216