Changes to the Energy Retail Code of Practice – VCOSS member briefing

The cost of energy represents a large portion of the cost of living for Victorians. These costs have increased over the long term, but particularly in recent years.

Energy is an essential service, one that people cannot live without. And yet, it is delivered through a privatised system, subject to market forces. And energy retailers often don’t adequately support people when they’re struggling to afford energy costs.

The Energy Retail Code of Practice (known among energy experts as the ERCOP) regulates the terms and conditions of energy contracts, the marketing of energy offers, and billing practices. Included in the ERCOP is the Payment Difficulty Framework, which sets the rules and minimum standards by which energy retailers are required to assist customers experiencing hardship.

On 30 September the Essential Services Commission (ESC) announced their Stage 1 Final Decision as part of their ongoing review of the ERCOP.

These ambitious reforms represent a big win for Victorian energy consumers, and for the community sector organisations whose advocacy helped achieve it.

Changes to the code include increased protections for energy consumers, including strong new measures to support customers struggling with costly bills.

These ambitious reforms represent a big win for Victorian energy consumers, and for the community sector organisations whose advocacy helped achieve it.

Because of the importance of the reforms to the sector and many of our clients, VCOSS has produced a briefing document outlining the changes, how they happened, what they mean and why they matter.

Download the briefing document below.

You can also read VCOSS’s submission to the review, and the Government’s announcement.