South Australian energy customers could be saving hundreds of dollars off their electricity and gas bills even after most retailers increased electricity and gas prices on 1 July.
A new analysis by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) of current offers on energymadeeasy.gov.au, its independent government-funded comparison website, has found the value of switching to a different electricity plan or retailer can be around $1,500 in Adelaide since the 1 July price rises.
“Energy is a significant cost for many households and small businesses and chances are if you haven’t switched energy providers in some time, or if you are still on a standing offer, you are paying more for electricity or gas than you need to,” AER Chair Paula Conboy said.
"Since the 1 July 2017 price rises, customers in Adelaide could save $1,500 if switching from the most expensive electricity offer currently available to the cheapest.
“Most South Australian households have switched in the past, and if so the savings may not be this substantial. But there are still savings to be made by shopping around, particularly if your contract included a discount which has since expired," Ms Conboy said.
Energy Made Easy helps customers compare the generally available electricity and gas offers in their local area, and offers tools and practical advice on what to think about when deciding on an offer.
In regional SA, a quick search on Energy Made Easy shows that a four-person household in Mount Gambier could save around $1,600 in a year if they switched from the most expensive electricity offer to the cheapest. Similar savings can be made by customers across the state.
Ms Conboy advises the headline price is not the only thing to consider when looking at switching.
“Don’t be dazzled by discounts; customers should know if the discount is off the entire bill or only part of the bill, and if there are any conditions to get it, like paying on time or setting up a direct debit,” Ms Conboy said.
Hardship provisions
Ms Conboy said that anyone struggling with their electricity or gas bills in the wake of the 1 July price rises is entitled to assistance from their retailer.
“With rising prices and winter upon us, it is likely more customers will struggle to meet the costs of higher bills and says help is available,” she said.
“Retailers are required by law to provide assistance to customers who are having trouble paying their energy bill. If customers are struggling to pay their energy bills they should contact their energy retailer early and ask for help, to avoid being disconnected,” Ms Conboy said.
The AER has developed a Sustainable Payment Plans Framework to provide further assistance to customers when negotiating a payment plan with their retailer. A list of all retailer signatories to the Sustainable Payment Plans Framework, that sets standards for how retailers agree payment plans with customers, is available on the Energy Made Easy website.
More broadly, the AER is committed to working in the best interests of residential and small business energy customers. Its Customer Consultative Group (CCG) is a key advisor on frontline issues affecting consumers and the new membership is meeting today to consider a range of issues, including the impact of recent price increases.
energymadeeasy.gov.au is government run by the independent AER and compares energy offers for your household or business across retailers to help you find the best deal.
Notes to editors
Media can compare different offers available in your distribution area directly on energymadeeasy.gov.au by entering postcode details on the home page and following the prompts.
About the AER
The Australian Energy Regulator regulates energy markets and networks under national legislation and rules in eastern and southern Australia, as well as networks in the Northern Territory. Its functions include
- monitoring wholesale electricity and gas markets to ensure energy businesses comply with the legislation and rules, and taking enforcement action where necessary;
- setting the amount of revenue that network businesses can recover from customers for using networks (electricity poles and wires and gas pipelines) that transport energy;
- regulating retail energy markets in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania (electricity only), and the ACT;
- operating the Energy Made Easy website, which provides a retail price comparator and other information for energy consumers;
- publishing information on energy markets, including the annual State of the energy market report, to assist participants and the wider community.