The Essential Services Commission’s annual report for 2023–24 reflects a year of regulatory outcomes that have supported Victorians to access essential transport, local council, water and energy services, with a focus on protecting consumers experiencing vulnerability.
7 May 2024We are reminding stakeholders of the changes to product requirements for some water heating activities as outlined in Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Specifications – v.16.0.
The Essential Services Commission is seeking feedback on its review of the Energy Retail Code of Practice.
The Essential Services Commission has confirmed the prices to apply in 2024–25 for Victoria’s 16 water businesses.Typical water bills will generally rise in line with inflation over 2024–25. Average bills for owner-occupier households are set to rise, after inflation, by around $33 (three per cent) in Melbourne and by around $50 (four per cent) in regional Victoria. Customers of Barwon Water and Yarra Valley Water will have the lowest bill increases at $30, while Coliban Water customers will have
On 1 April 2024, the Water Industry Standards introduced new obligations on water businesses relating to self-reporting of non-compliance with the Water Industry Standards. Under the self-reporting obligation, a water business must report to the commission potential or actual non-compliances that may have a material adverse impact. To assist water businesses in meeting their reporting obligation, we have published a guideline under section 13 of the Essential Services
On 18 August 2024, my five-year term at the Essential Services Commission comes to an end. I regard it as a great privilege and honour to have served the Victorian community and consumers as the commission’s first Enforcement Commissioner over the last five years.Having led significant achievements in building the commission’s compliance and enforcement functions, it is an optimum time for me to move on and consider other opportunities.
31 July 2024 The commission has taken enforcement action against accredited business Ecovantage for allegedly breaching the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program rules. Alleged breach Ecovantage allegedly breached the VEU program rules by creating 1,289 Victorian energy efficiency certificates (certificates) for building lighting upgrades with inaccurate claims about baseline lighting and upgrades installed, and for failing to hold valid rights to create certificates from consumers.
The Essential Services Commission has issued guidance to Melbourne Water and North East Water to inform their 2026 water price review submissions.
… water prices, tariffs and special drainage view information on prices for certain water services, maximum annual water tariffs and special drainage area prices. breadcrumb home water price reviews we review and determine prices for certain water … drainage charge. featured work water price review 2026 we are preparing to review the new prices to apply from 1 july 2026 for melbourne water
Licence grantedInternational Power (Retail) Pty Ltd was granted a licence on 25 October 2017. The licence can be accessed via the resources tab.Licence variedThis licence was last varied on 15 October 2024.
The Victorian Default Offer is a simple and trusted electricity price that is set by us, not energy companies.
It provides Victorian consumers access to a fair electricity deal even if they are unable or unwilling to engage in the retail market.
We set the default offer each year after assessing the efficient costs retailers need to recover to provide electricity to Victorian customers. The default offer will not necessarily be the lowest price available to
Energy retailers IPower Pty Limited and IPower 2 Pty Limited (trading in partnership as Engie, and formerly known as Simply Energy), have paid penalties totalling $1,676,104 for alleged breaches of Victorian energy rules related to family violence provisions and performance reporting.In 2023, a financial counsellor informed the commission that they considered Engie had not followed rules about protecting the accounts of customers affected by family violence.The
The Essential Services Commission today released the 2023-24 Victorian Energy Market Report. The report looks back at the last financial year, providing the community with clear insights into energy businesses’ performance including how they address payment difficulty.
The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered energy retailers Sumo Power Pty Ltd and Sumo Gas Pty Ltd (together, Sumo) to pay penalties totalling $10 million for unlawful door-to-door marketing and failures related to its best offer messaging.This outcome represents the largest penalty ever imposed for breaches of Victoria’s energy laws and codes of practice. In a statement of agreed facts submitted to the Court with the commission, Sumo admitted, and the Court found it had:
On 26 October 2023, Ryan Corner Development Pty Ltd (ACN 130 542 915) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Submissions closed 5pm Wednesday 23 November 2023. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licence on 15 December 2023.
On 22 June 2022, Mondo Power Pty Ltd (ACN 097 962 395) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale, and to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
Consultation of the licence application closed on 8 December 2022. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licence on 14 December 2022.
Accel Energy Retail Pty Ltd (ACN 122 144 709) withdrew its licence application on 22 June 2022.
On 9 February 2021, GEE Power & Gas Pty Ltd (ACN 636 908 220) applied for a licence to sell electricity by retail under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and a licence to sell gas by retail under section 25 of the Gas Industry Act 2001 (Vic)
Consultation on the licence application closed on 11 March 2021. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licences on 15 December 2021.
Tilt Renewables Retail Pty Ltd (ACN 133 552 539) has applied for a licence to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
We may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic).
We granted the licence on 18 May 2022.
TransGrid Services Pty Limited (ACN 626 136 865) applied for a licence to transmit electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
TransGrid Services Pty Limited is seeking a transmission licence to allow the connection of the Berrybank wind farm.
The commission may grant or refuse to grant applications for any reason we consider appropriate having regard our objectives under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and