The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today published retail performance data for the July to September 2024 quarter (Q1 2024–25).
The data shows the proportion of residential customers repaying energy debt decreased to 2.5% in the quarter, down from 2.9% in Q4 2023–24 and representing a decline of around 26,000 customers. One-off payments such as state and federal government energy rebates have contributed to this decline.
The data also shows fewer customers have accessed support from electricity retailers’ hardship programs, while the number of gas customers on hardship programs has remained relatively stable. Average debt for electricity customers entering a hardship program increased during Q1 2024–25, while average debt for gas customers entering hardship programs decreased slightly.
In relation to competition, data provides evidence that Tier 2 retailers have continued to increase their share of the electricity and gas markets for residential, small and large business customers.