Energy Bills to Highlight Cheaper Deals
Australians are about to see a big shift in the way their energy bills are presented. Under a new regulation, electricity and gas retailers will be required to clearly alert customers if a cheaper plan is available to them. This change, set to come into effect next year, is designed to make energy costs more transparent and help households avoid overpaying.
The rule was announced by the Australian Energy Market Commission after years of research showed that many people were paying more simply because they weren’t switching plans. In fact, the consumer watchdog found that customers on older energy deals were paying nearly 17 percent more on average than those who had switched to newer offers. It’s a kind of hidden “loyalty penalty,” where staying with the same provider ends up costing more in the long run.
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Energy Minister Chris Bowen backed the reform, arguing that clearer billing information could encourage more competition in the market and make it easier for families to cut costs. Bills will soon have to display comparative plan information in a straightforward way, with guidelines for retailers to be issued by the Australian Energy Regulator before the end of 2026.
But not everyone is on board. Some major energy companies, including AGL, Alinta, and Engie, pushed back against the move. Their argument is that simply flagging a cheaper offer doesn’t fix deeper issues—like the complexity of tariffs or the challenges people face when trying to switch. They also warn that the cost of redesigning bills and sending extra information could end up being passed on to consumers, potentially raising prices rather than lowering them.
Despite these objections, supporters of the rule say the change could make a real difference. Bills are notoriously confusing, filled with jargon and figures that many people tune out. By putting cheaper offers front and center, the commission believes customers will find it harder to ignore potential savings. As the chair of the commission explained, it’s like placing a big sign in a shop window—clear, upfront, and easy to understand.
This change is part of a broader set of reforms being considered, with the ultimate goal of making the energy market fairer and more competitive. For now, households can expect their bills to become more than just a reminder of what they owe. They will also become a guide to whether they’re getting the best deal available—or whether it’s time to shop around.
So next year, when bills arrive in the mail or online, they may carry more than just a balance due. They’ll carry a message: if there’s a better deal for you, it should no longer be hidden in the fine print. Instead, it will be placed in plain sight, giving every consumer the chance to save.
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