In 2017 the AER commissioned ACIL Allen to update the electricity benchmarks and, for the first time, develop gas consumption benchmarks. Published below are:
ACIL Allen's October 2017 report Energy Consumption Benchmarks for residential customers – Electricity and Gas
The report includes seasonal electricity and gas consumption benchmarks for each state and territory (excluding Western Australia) for one to five-person households. In addition, ACIL Allen have updated the list of postcodes and localised zones.
ACIL Allen’s Summary of Benchmarks
The spreadsheet contains seasonal electricity and gas benchmarks by climate zone. Daily benchmarks can be generated by dividing the seasonal figure by the number of days in the season (between 90 and 92 days). To generate benchmarks for bills that cross over sections, apply the weightings between the seasonal bills.
Guidance on energy consumption benchmarks on residential customers’ bills
The guidance has been developed to assist retailers to understand the consumption benchmark requirements under the National Energy Retail Law and Retail Rules.
For additional reference material please refer to the Decision milestone.
Background
The National Energy Retail Rules (Retail Rules) require that retailers provide electricity consumption benchmarks on a residential customer’s bill. The purpose of the benchmark is to allow customers to compare their household electricity usage with similar households in their area. This in turn assists consumers to make more informed choices about how they use energy.
Under Rule 169 of the Retail Rules the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is required to update the electricity consumption benchmarks at least every three years from the publication of the previous benchmarks.
The previous electricity benchmarks were developed in 2014.