We thank the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) for its consultation on the Improving the Application of Concessions to Bills Rule Change Request from the Energy and Climate Ministerial Council (ECMC).
Download our submission (PDF, 209.34KB)
Improving the application of concessions to bills is an essential amendment that will help ensure the most vulnerable consumers are accessing the support to which they are entitled. Only 32% of households who have trouble paying their energy bills say there is appropriate support available. This rule change will play an important role in ensuring support that is already in existence is having as broad an impact as possible.
We view automation of concessions as the preferred option however appreciate automating concessions may require broader changes that are beyond the AEMC’s scope.
As an interim measure, we therefore support placing additional responsibility on retailers to proactively seek out information on their customers’ eligibility and allow for the transfer of concession information when a consumer switches retailers.
In our submission we argue consumers face significant barriers to receiving concessions and the onus should be on retailers to seek out information on eligibility and proactively work to raise awareness of concessional support.
