National Approach To Help Customers Get Best Energy Offers

Energy retailers have committed to a range of new measures to make it easier for consumers to find the best energy deal for them and assist vulnerable customers with their bills.

The Australian Energy Council and its retail members will work with the Federal Government on the delivery of these measures as soon as is practicable.

Australian Energy Council Chief Executive, Matthew Warren, said the industry was acutely aware of the impact of higher energy costs on consumers which only increased the importance of accessing the best retail energy deal.

“Recent increases in energy costs are driven by a shortage of supply.  This can only be fixed by solving the climate-energy policy impasse which has blocked new baseload generation investment for the past decade,” Mr Warren said.

“Rising energy bills make it all the more important to help consumers find the best deal for them.

“We will work with the Federal Government to improve the way we notify customers about the deals they are on and to help them find more competitive offers.

“It is also a good opportunity to review the way we engage with customers in hardship programs to make sure they are getting the best deal for their circumstances.

“We will also focus on better communication with customers who are coming to, or have come to, the end of the discount period in their energy deal to make sure they are encouraged to identify the best deal for them.

“We welcome this coordinated national approach to improving the way we engage and inform energy consumers.”

About the Australian Energy Council

The Council represents 21 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. These businesses collectively generate the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia and sell gas and electricity to over 10 million homes and businesses.