Helping Victorians cut their energy bills

Victorians will soon have better and simpler information at hand to compare deals and drive down their energy bills, thanks to reforms introduced by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) today announced the proposed introduction of new rules to make it easier for households to shop around and compare energy deals.

The changes would require energy retailers to provide customers with a fact sheet to easily compare energy plans based on the exact same information for each deal, including the average yearly cost and the cost for a typical family based on the number of people in a household.

The fact sheet would also replace two existing pieces of information which can be overly technical and confusing for customers looking to compare deals.

The timing of when customers can have their bills adjusted based on a self-metre read will also now be mandated, helping to prevent bill shock.

These changes are the second round of reforms introduced by the ESC following the Labor Government’s retail market review which proposed a range of recommendations to improve the efficiency, transparency and oversight of Victoria’s retail gas and electricity sector.

Victorians can compare energy deals right now through the Victorian Energy Compare website and claim a $50 Power Saving Bonus until June 30, 2019.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

The Labor Government is implementing all the review’s recommendations, to empower Victorians and drive down energy costs.

“We know the best way to cut energy bills is to look for a better offer, and these reforms will make that easier.”

“The fact sheet will help Victorians easily compare different energy plans on the market and reduce confusion.”