Complex and confusing energy bills will soon be a thing of the past as the Morrison Government continues to take action to help Australians get a better energy deal.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has published its draft determination to amend the National Energy Retail Rules to introduce mandatory guidelines on requirements for gas and electricity bills.

This draft rule follows a rule change request submitted to the AEMC by Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor. The proposal sought to simplify the presentation of energy bills to make them simpler and easier for consumers to understand.

Australians have consistently voiced their concerns over the complex and confusing nature of their energy bills.

The AEMC’s draft rule details the proposed requirements for the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to develop guidelines for how energy retailers must prepare and issue bills to household and small business customers.

Additionally, the draft rule proposes to:

• require retailers to comply with the billing guidelines when preparing and issuing bills;
• allow the billing guidelines to specify the frequency that household and small business customers on standard retail contracts must receive bills; and
• outline objectives for the guidelines that will enable customers to easily understand payment amounts, dates and payment methods.

Minister Taylor said the rule change was aimed at ensuring Australians can better understand their energy bills, empowering them with the information needed to identify the best deal available and help them pay less for their energy.

“Complex and confusing energy bills that prevent energy users from getting the best deal possible are close to being a thing of the past,” Minister Taylor said.

“Simplifying electricity and gas bills will help households and small businesses better understand and manage their energy usage and costs, and find a better energy deal.

“This rule change will empower Australians with the information to get the best and cheapest deal available.

“When Australians pay less for their energy they have more money in their pockets and are better off, and this particularly important as we recover from COVID 19.

“We have now seen seven quarters of year-on-year retail electricity price falls and wholesale prices have dropped for each of the last 15 months, to levels not seen since 2014.

“The Government is committed to practical reforms that deliver affordable, reliable power and ensure energy costs are not a burden on Australian households and businesses.”

The rule change builds on actions the Government has taken to lower energy costs and improve outcomes for families and small businesses, including:

• introducing a price cap to protect loyal customers from being ripped off;
• getting rid of sneaky late payment penalties; and
• passing the ‘big stick’ legislation to hold the energy companies to account and ensure reductions in wholesale costs are passed through to consumers.

The Government will continue to act to improve competition, end dodgy practices and deliver a more affordable and reliable energy system for Australians.

Media contact:

Minister Taylor's office: 02 6277 7120