The AER commissioned Frontier Economics to update the AER’s Electricity and Gas consumption benchmarks for 2020.
The electricity consumption benchmarks are graphs or tables that appear on electricity bills in relevant jurisdictions. Their purpose is to allow consumers to compare their household usage with other households in their area, with the intent of helping consumers make more informed choices about their energy use.
Retailers had until 31 March 2021 to publish the updated electricity benchmarks on residential customers’ bills. Minor updates to the electricity and gas benchmarks spreadsheet and AER Guidance Note - Energy consumption benchmarks on residential customers' bill, were made in July 2021.
Background
The National Energy Retail Rules (Retail Rules) require that retailers provide electricity consumption benchmarks on a residential customer’s bill. Under Rule 169 of the Retail Rules the AER is required to update the electricity consumption benchmarks at least every three years from the publication of the previous benchmarks.