The Missing 14%

Coverage in the Herald Sun. Click to enlarge.

FLAGSHIP RESEARCH

A whopping 14% of people eligible for a power concession Victoria are not claiming it.

The key reasons are lacklustre communications from energy companies, a lack of awareness among energy users and digital, literacy and language barriers.

This report – undertaken against a backdrop of a global energy crisis and skyrocketing
energy bills – identifies exactly who is missing out, why they’re missing out, and what should
be done to fix the problem.

Our research is based on a comprehensive survey and series of interviews with community sector workers (people who help people in energy and financial stress), and a fresh analysis of sector data.

Key findings include:

  • Lack of awareness is the number one reason people are missing out on the energy
    concessions they’re entitled to. Households experiencing language and digital
    inclusion barriers are more likely to miss out.
  • For people who do know about concessions, a range of process issues are creating
    barriers to access.
  • Stigma is also a barrier for some households.
  • Workers from diverse parts of the community sector – beyond the ‘ground zero’ of
    emergency relief and material aid – regularly encounter energy affordability,

VCOSS is the peak body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s premier social advocacy body.

We work towards a Victoria free from poverty and disadvantage, where every person and community experiences genuine wellbeing. Read more.

We welcome the opportunity to provide this input.

PRIMARY AUTHOR

VCOSS

VCOSS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, and we pay respect to Elders and Ancestors. Our business is conducted on sovereign, unceded Aboriginal land. The VCOSS offices are located on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung land in central Naarm.