Essential Services Commission

We promote the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

Featured work

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Energy bill support for Victorians

Find out what support is available to help you manage and pay your energy bills, and protections for residential and small business customers.

Victorian Default Offer price review 2023-24

We have set the Victorian Default Offer prices to apply from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Average annual bills for default offer customers will go up by about 25 per cent. This is due to a large increase in wholesale electricity costs.

Local Council outcomes report

We have released a report on the outcomes of the first six years of rate capping in Victoria, identifying impacts and trends emerging across the local government sector.

Water price review

We are reviewing prices to apply for five years from 1 July 2023 for 14 Victorian water businesses, with final decisions due to be released in June 2023.

Latest News

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Media releases

30 May 2023

Cap on council rates continues to benefit ratepayers

A report on Victoria's council rate capping system has found ratepayers on the whole are benefitting while councils emerged from the coronavirus pandemic in sound financial health.

Media releases

25 May 2023

Victorian Default Offer 2023-24: final decision

The Essential Services Commission today announced the final 2023-24 Victorian Default Offer, following industry and community consultation on its draft decision released in March, and further economic analysis using the latest data.

Staff articles

18 May 2023

Essential stories: Merryn from the Energy team

I love working at the commission because you can create real change here. I'm very passionate about the welfare of Victorian consumers.

Essential Services Commission CEO John Hamill

Media releases

15 May 2023

Executive leadership news – commission to farewell CEO Dr John Hamill in June 2023

After seven years as Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Hamill will be leaving the Essential Services Commission. He will be finishing on 9 June.

Media releases

27 April 2023

AusNet Services pays penalties for allegedly failing to notify customers of planned interruption

AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd (AusNet) has paid over $40,000 in penalties after it allegedly failed to notify four customers, including a customer registered with AusNet as requiring life support equipment, of a three-hour, planned power interruption that took place in Wodonga in June 2022.

Media releases

20 April 2023

Five energy retailers pay a combined $1 million in penalties after allegedly failing to meet energy efficiency liabilities

Five energy retailers have paid a combined total of almost $1 million in penalties for allegedly failing to meet legal obligations in place as part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

Featured consultations

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