The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has today published its retail energy market performance data covering the January to March 2023 quarter (Q3 2022–23).
Key features of the report include:
- Earlier retailer engagement with customers experiencing payment difficulties may be driving the following changes since this quarter last year:
- a 19% increase in residential electricity customers participating in hardship programs;
- an 8% increase in customers participating in payment plans; and
- a 28% decrease in average debt on entry to a hardship program.
- Average residential energy debt has decreased 5.6% (from $1,058 to $999) but the number of customers with energy debt increased by 13.7% since last quarter.
- The total number of residential customers holding more than $500 in energy debt has increased 3% to 77,014 customers since this quarter last year.
- Disconnection rates continue to trend downwards in most jurisdictions.
- Complaints by customers have increased 17.9% since this quarter last year with complaints relating to billing comprising around 60% of all complaints.
The report is accompanied by spreadsheets containing detailed state-based and retailer data.