Each state government is responsible for retail competition in its own jurisdiction:
The Energy Market – Victoria
Competition
Full retail competition (or FRC) was introduced to the Victorian electricity and gas market in 2001. This means that everyone can now choose who supplies their electricity and gas. This is good news for you! Electricity suppliers and gas companies are now fighting for your business so you can now compare the electgricity prices and gas rates they offer - that means cheaper electricity prices in Victoria, better energy deals and more choice.
Check out some great energy deals from our participating electricity and gas suppliers in Victoria now.
Regulators
The Victorian energy market is regulated by the Essential Services Commission (ESC). The ESC is responsible for licensing all Victorian electricity companies and Victorian gas suppliers and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract.
To visit the ESC website click here.
If you haven’t switched yet, your electricity will be supplied under a standing or deemed contract. The price and terms & conditions of your electricity supply contract in this case will be set by the ESC. If you shop around for a better deal by comparing Victorian electricity companies and comparing Victorian gas suppliers you may be able to save money on your electricity bill and save on gas costs.
Click to see how you can switch and save money on your electricity bill.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in Victoria?
The Energy & Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier.
If you haven’t spoken to your supplier, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your energy supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
You can contact EWOV in the following ways:
- Website:
- www.ewov.com.au
- Freecall:
- 1800 500 509
Note that calls from mobile phones may attract charges — the Ombudsman can ring you back
Calls from restricted phone services — ring 12550 (Telstra reverse charges) and quote 9649 7599 — EWOV will accept the reverse charges and the call cost. - Freefax:
- 1800 500 549
- Interpreter:
- 131 450
- Email:
- ewovinfo@ewov.com.au
- Mail:
- Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) Ltd
GPO Box 469
Melbourne VIC 3001
The Energy Market – New South Wales
Competition
Full retail competition (or FRC) was introduced to the New South Wales (NSW) electricity market in 2002. This means that electricity and gas consumers have the right to choose who supplies their electricity. An increasing number of electricity suppliers are now fighting for your business so that should mean cheaper electricity prices in NSW, better gas deals and more choice.
At the moment, the Regulator of the electricity and gas market in NSW, IPART (see "Regulators" below) sets the maximum price that electricty suppliers and gas companies can charge households and small businesses who consume power in NSW. Not many electricity and gas companies are offering discounts off the maximum electricity price and gas price at the moment. This is because the electricity companies and gas suppliers who provide you with power in NSW have to pay the power generators a lot to buy power to supply your house, but the amount that they can charge you for electricity or gas is capped by the NSW regulator, IPART.
Regulators
The NSW energy market is regulated by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Established by the NSW Government in 1992, IPART's primary purpose was to regulate the maximum prices charged for monopoly services by government utilities and other monopoly businesses. Now IPART is also responsible for licensing all electricity suppliers and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract. IPART also tells the electricity suppliers in NSW the maximum that they can charge households and small business who consume electricity and gas in NSW. The electricity and gas companies compete with each other for your business by offering discounts off the maximum regulated rate or by offering product add-ons to entice consumers to switch to their products such as magazine subscriptions or tickets to the footy.
To visit the IPART website click here.
If you haven’t switched yet, your electricity will be supplied by Country Energy, EnergyAustralia or Integral Energy. The price and terms & conditions of your electricity supply contract are set by IPART.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in New South Wales (NSW)?
The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier or gas company.
If you haven’t spoken to your electricity supplier or gas company, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your electricity company or gas supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
You can contact EWON in the following ways:
- Website:
- www.ewon.com.au
- Freecall:
- 1800 246 545
- Freefax:
- 1800 812 291
- Freepost:
- Reply Paid K1343, Haymarket NSW 1239
- Email:
- omb@ewon.com.au
- Translation services:
- 131 450 - For help using an interpreter visit TIS
- National Relay Service:
- 133 677 - For help using this service visit NRS
- Reverse charge calls and Telstra InContact home phone service:
- If you are in New South Wales and have a Telstra InContact phone service, you can call EWON reverse charge ring 12550 (Telstra reverse charges) and quote 02 8218 5200 or 02 8218 5250. EWON will accept the reverse charge call and call costs.
The Energy Market - South Australia
Competition
Full retail competition (or FRC) was introduced to the South Australian (SA) electricity and gas market in 2003. This means that business’ and individual consumers of electricity now have greater freedom and choice as to who supplies their electricity and gas. This is good news for you as electricity suppliers and gas companies in South Australia are now fighting for your business which means cheaper electricity prices in South Australia (SA) and better electricity prices and gas rates. Consumers can now compare South Australian electricity prices and South Australian gas rates from the South Australian electricity companies and South Australian gas suppliers who are competing for your business.
Regulators
The South Australian energy market is regulated by the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA). ESCOSA is responsible for licensing all electricity suppliers and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract.
To visit the ESCOSA website click here.
If you haven’t switched yet, your electricity is supplied by AGL SA, and the price and terms & conditions it is supplied at is set by ESCOSA.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in South Australia?
The Energy Industry Ombudsman of South Australia (EIOSA) may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier.
If you haven’t spoken to your supplier, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your energy supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman contact details are:
- Website:
- www.eiosa.com.au
- For callers within Australia and mobiles:
- Free call 1800 665 565
Free fax 1800 665 165 - Overseas:
- Call 61 8 8216 1888
Fax 61 8 8216 1844 - Mail:
- GPO Box 2947
Adelaide SA 5001 - Email:
- contact@eiosa.com.au
- ABN:
- 11 089 791 604
The Energy Market - Queensland
Competition
Full retail competition (or FRC) was introduced to the Queensland electricity and gas market in 2007. This means that for the electricity consumer there is now more choice as to who supplies their electricity. This is good news for you as electricity suppliers and gas companies in Queensland are now fighting for your business which has lead to some cheaper electricity prices in Queensland, better energy deals and more choice. You can now shop around, compare the best deals from Queensland electricity companies and Queensland gas companies.
Regulators
The Queensland energy market is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA). The QCA is responsible for; regulating significant government business activities which compete with the private sector and ensuring they do so fairly; regulate government owned monopolies and privately owned water monopolies and ensure they do not abuse their market power and ensure essential infrastructure is accessible to all potential users. The QCA also licenses all Queensland electricity suppliers and Queensland gas companies and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract.To visit the QCA website click here.
If you haven’t switched yet, your electricity or gas will be supplied by Origin Energy or AGL. The price and terms & conditions of your electricity supply contract are set by the QCA.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in Queensland?
The Energy Ombudsman Queensland (EOQ) may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier.
If you haven’t spoken to your supplier, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your energy supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
You can contact EOQ in the following ways:
- Website:
- www.eoq.com.au
- Freecall:
- 1800 662 837
- Fax:
- (07) 3227 7068
- Mail:
- PO Box 3640
South Brisbane Qld 4101 - Email:
- info@eoq.com.au
The Energy Market - ACT
Competition
Full retail competition (or FRC) was introduced to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) electricity market in 2003. This means that everyone can now choose who supplies their electricity. This is good news for you! Electricity suppliers are now fighting for your business so that means cheaper electricity prices in the ACT, better energy deals and more choice.
Regulators
The ACT energy market is regulated by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). The ICRC is responsible for licensing all electricity suppliers and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract.
To visit the ICRC website click here.
If you haven’t switched yet, your electricity will be supplied by ACTEWAGL. The price and terms & conditions of your electricity supply contract are set by the ICRC.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in the ACT?
The Essential Services Consumer Council (ESCC) may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier.
If you haven’t spoken to your supplier, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your energy supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
You can contact ESCC in the following ways:
- Telephone:
- (02) 6207 7740
- Fax:
- (02) 6207 7739
- Mail:
- GPO Box 578
Civic Square ACT 2608 - Email:
- escc@act.gov.au
The Energy Market – Western Australia
Competition
Homes and small businesses that consume less than 50 megawatt hours per annum (about $8,000) must buy their electricity from Synergy which is obligated to connect and supply electricity to all these users at a standard rate set by the Government. Since January 2005 premises consuming more than this can shop around for their energy supply.
Premises that consume greater than 50 megawatts but less than 160 megawatts in electricity per year can shop around for their electricity or be supplied at standard rates by Synergy. Users consuming more than 160 megawatts per annum are in the fully contestable bracket and must shop around for a deal with any licensed energy retailer.
The gas market has been fully deregulated in Western Australia since June 2004.
Regulators
The WA energy market is regulated by the Economic Regulation Authority. The ERA is responsible for; regulating significant government business activities which compete with the private sector and ensuring they do so fairly; regulate government owned monopolies and privately owned water monopolies and ensure they do not abuse their market power and ensure essential infrastructure is accessible to all potential users. The ERA also licenses all Western Australian electricity suppliers and Western Australian gas companies and it also sets the regulated price for those consumers not already on a negotiated market contract.To visit the ERA website click here.
Problems with your gas or electricity supplier in WA?
The Energy Ombudsman Western Australia may be able to help you. The Ombudsman provides an independent, free service to help resolve complaints that you have already unsuccessfully tried to resolve with your electricity supplier.
If you haven’t spoken to your supplier, contact their customer service department and try and resolve the complaint before contacting the Ombudsman. Top tip - keep a note of any conversations you have with your energy supplier so you can tell the Ombudsman.
You can contact the Ombudsman in the following ways:
Website:
www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/energy
Freecall:
1800 754 004
Fax:
1800 611 279
Mail:
PO Box z5386
St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6831
Email:
energy@ombudsman.wa.gov.au/energy
The Energy Market – Tasmania
Electricity competition is being progressively introduced to Tasmania. For more information refer to the Government's website on deregulation here.
