As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, Australian households are now more frequently resorting to their state-based Ombudsman to help sort out their energy billing issues.
A record number of people in NSW complained to the state’s ombudsman about their power bill this winter, forcing it to hire additional dispute resolution staff to manage the workload.
The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) received 5456 complaints about electricity bills between July and September, up 70 per cent from the same period in 2022, as cost of living pressures hit households.
Complaints made to Queensland's energy and water watchdog have climbed 16 per cent in the past financial year and are set to grow even further this year.
How to manage a retailer or billing complaint
Raise it with your retailer
If you have a complaint or an issue with your retailer, relating to billing or any other matter, your first step is to seek a resolution directly with the retailer.
Ajust can help
Every retailer has a complaints contact point, and Bill Hero partner Ajust can help streamline the process of lodging your complaint or issue with the right team at your retailer, with the minimum fuss.
If you're not satisfied that your retailer is handling the issue, or you are unhappy with their proposed resolution, you can always escalate to your state-based Ombudsman.
Demand tariffs are a new form of tariff intended to reward energy consumers who avoid contributing to peak network loads, and penalise that do. Here's everything you need to know
Energy Made Easy and Vic Energy Compare cannot calculate a Demand tariff comparison, so these services are next to useless for energy consumers on Demand tariff plans.
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Mary Ward
Jack McKay and Ellen-Maree Elliot
Richard Foxworthy
