The AER has written to retailers to remind them of their obligations when notifying customers of variations to their electricity tariffs and charges.
The letter sets out the AER’s expectations and encourages retailers to give customers as much notice as possible of any variation to tariffs and charges and to provide customers with more information about their electricity usage.
When customers are provided with timely notice of variations, they are able to engage effectively in the market by seeking electricity plans that better suit their circumstances, if unsatisfied with the new tariff structure. Customers who are aware of changes to their tariff in a timely way may also be able to change their usage behaviour to suit the new tariff, potentially benefitting them by reducing electricity costs.
The letter also reminds retailers that compliance with billing and pricing information obligations is a current AER compliance and enforcement priority.