Essential Services Commission

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

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Featured work

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Victorian Energy Upgrades icon

Businesses punished for breaking Victorian Energy Upgrades program rules, including illegal doorknocking

The Essential Services Commission has taken action against two Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accredited businesses for allegedly breaching the program rules.

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Victorian Energy Upgrades icon

Business banned from Victorian Energy Upgrades program for false claims with doctored photos

The Essential Services Commission has cancelled the Victorian Energy Upgrades accreditation of Save Energy Solutions for making false claims about energy efficiency projects.

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Electricity and gas icon

Energy customers protected as retailers pay a record $24.5 million in fines in 2025

Energy retailers paid a record $24,467,958 for breaching Victoria’s consumer protections in 2025, as the state’s essential services regulator continued its crackdown on practices that exacerbate cost of living pressures or negatively affect vulnerable customers.



 

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EnergyAustralia fined over $1 million for giving customers incorrect information about its best energy deals

EnergyAustralia has been penalised $1,066,986 for allegedly giving over 150,000 customers incorrect information about its best energy deal in communications about price changes.

Latest News

Man selling door to door to elderly person.
Victorian Energy Upgrades icon
Media releases
30 January 2026

Businesses punished for breaking Victorian Energy Upgrades program rules, including illegal doorknocking

The Essential Services Commission has taken action against two Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accredited businesses for allegedly breaching the program rules.

Man tightening hot water pipe nut
Victorian Energy Upgrades icon
Media releases
28 January 2026

Business banned from Victorian Energy Upgrades program for false claims with doctored photos

The Essential Services Commission has cancelled the Victorian Energy Upgrades accreditation of Save Energy Solutions for making false claims about energy efficiency projects.
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News update
22 January 2026

Updated framework for new customer contributions to water infrastructure

New customer contributions, also known as developer charges, are one-off charges levied by water businesses on a property owner applying to connect to water infrastructure or applying to receive increased services.
Victorian Energy Upgrades icon
Media releases
22 December 2025

Watchdog denies $16 million in claims for ineligible upgrades

Businesses have been ordered to forfeit $16 million in Victorian energy efficiency certificates and been struck with serious sanctions in 2025, as the Essential Services Commission cracks down on non-compliance in the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Photo of a woman's hand turning on light switch
Electricity and gas icon
Media releases
19 December 2025

Energy customers protected as retailers pay a record $24.5 million in fines in 2025

Energy retailers paid a record $24,467,958 for breaching Victoria’s consumer protections in 2025, as the state’s essential services regulator continued its crackdown on practices that exacerbate cost of living pressures or negatively affect vulnerable customers.
A photo showing a person's hand turning on a bathroom tap, and the person's other handing catching watching coming out of the tap.
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Media releases
18 December 2025

Water performance report shows increase in customers accessing support

The Essential Services Commission’s annual water performance report shows Victorian households continue to face cost of living pressures, with a 23 per cent increase in households accessing state government funded Utility Relief Grants, compared to last year.
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