Consumers concerned that their electricity or gas bills are incorrect may soon have the power to demand a replacement if a draft determination of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is adopted.
Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg said the proposed amendments to the rules would reduce the risk of customers being exposed to the financial shock of significant under or overcharging due to an inaccurately estimated bill.
Mr Frydenberg said the adjustment could be in accordance with the customer’s own reading of their electricity or gas meter.
“Beyond requiring retailers to adjust an estimated bill with a self-read at the customer’s request, the proposed changes will also introduce an obligation on retailers to inform customers of their right to request an adjusted bill,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“The AEMC has also recommended the introduction of civil penalty provisions if a retailer does not comply with these new obligations.”
He said that while some retailers already offered their customers the ability to submit a self-reading of their meter, the changes will ensure everyone has the ability to rectify an inaccurately estimated bill.
Mr Frydenberg said the new rules complemented actions already taken in which a rule change required energy retailers to notify their customers when their discounts were about to finish or change, and a proposal requiring retailers to provide their customers with advance notice of price changes.
He said there was also a rule change proposal to reduce the time it took to install new meters.
