Essential Services Commission

We promote the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

Featured work

Regulator proposes new rules to better protect life support customers

The Essential Services Commission is reviewing the Victorian energy rules, to improve how energy businesses register energy customers who rely on life support equipment.

Energy retailer fined $961,550 for failing to credit accounts of over 6,000 customers

Energy retailer Pacific Blue Retail Pty Ltd (Pacific Blue), which trades as Tango Energy and Pacific Blue Retail, has paid $961,550 for allegedly breaching Victorian energy rules related to guaranteed service level payments.

Apply now: seeking auditors for the Victorian Energy Upgrades program

We are seeking applications from auditors to conduct independent audits for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, to help protect consumers and program integrity.

Regulator approves 2025–26 water prices for Victorian water businesses

The Essential Services Commission has confirmed the maximum prices Victoria’s 18 water businesses can charge their customers for specific services in 2025–26.

Latest News

News update

28 August 2025

Streamlining public lighting obligations

The Essential Services Commission has commenced public consultation on its proposal to revoke the Public Lighting Code of Practice (code of practice). Most obligations are outdated or already covered by other requirements, while essential minimum standards will be preserved by transferring them to the Electricity Distribution Code of Practice (EDCoP).

A tow truck in the process of rolling a broken-down car up ramps on to the truck's tray.

News update

27 August 2025

Final report on accident towing and storage fees

The Essential Services Commission has released its final report on accident towing fees, proposing no change to the current fee structures for towing and storing vehicles damaged in road accidents.

Media releases

14 August 2025

Supporting migrant and refugee women to engage with the energy market by removing barriers

The Essential Services Commission has partnered with Women’s Health in the North (WHIN) to deliver the Power Up Victoria project, to support migrant and refugee women who have faced barriers accessing and participating in the energy market.

News update

12 August 2025

Removing unnecessary regulation by revoking outdated codes

The Essential Services Commission is revoking outdated and unnecessary codes of practice. We have revoked the Electricity Customer Transfer Code of Practice (Transfer Code) and the Electricity Customer Metering Code of Practice (Metering Code), which are outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose.

Media releases

31 July 2025

Regulator proposes new rules to better protect life support customers

The Essential Services Commission is reviewing the Victorian energy rules, to improve how energy businesses register energy customers who rely on life support equipment.

Media releases

22 July 2025

Enforcement action taken against Victorian Energy Upgrades program participant

GB Environmental Pty Ltd (GB Environmental) has had restrictions placed on its Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accreditation for three months, for breaching the VEU program rules.

Featured consultations

View all current consultations

Review of life support protections in Victoria - Consultation ends 4 September 2025

CS SubCo Pty Ltd as trustee for Carwarp SF SPV - application for electricity generation licence - Consultation closes 15 September 2025

Public Lighting Code of Practice Review - Consultation ends 26 September 2025