Energy Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

30 April , 2025

Transition away from gas must benefit all consumers

Going all-electric is a huge benefit to consumers, particularly in terms of cost and emissions savings. It tends to better utilise the electricity network, so the fully electric household (with an electric car) puts downward pressure on electricity prices for its neighbours. But the transition to all-electric homes and businesses needs to be delivered in a way…

23 April , 2025

Federal Court finds Qteq and Simon Ashton engaged in ‘cartel conduct’

The Federal Court has today found oil and gas services company Qteq Pty Ltd and its executive chairman Simon Ashton engaged in cartel conduct in relation to the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry, following court action by the ACCC. The Court found that between 2017 and 2019, on five…

20 March , 2025

Energy regulator requests stakeholder submissions after draft and review release

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) recently released the Review of the AER and draft exemption policies for energy networks, retailers, and for customers who may be affected by family violence (based on the advice of Safe and Equal). To view the documents themselves, or for more background into the review, please read the original on…

7 January , 2025

Electricity Inquiry finds no reward for loyalty

The ACCC is urging consumers to shop around or at least to contact their electricity provider to ask if a cheaper electricity plan is available, following a decline in retail electricity prices in 2024 that many households are not currently benefiting from. More than 80 per cent of Australian households in the National Electricity Network…

2 December , 2024

ICAN Launches ‘Get emPOWERed!’ Competition through Yarnin’ Energy Program

ICAN’s Yarnin’ Energy team launched a ‘Get emPOWERed!’ competition on Monday the 11th of November. The competition has been designed to engage people to participate in the coaching component of our Yarnin’ Energy program. “The first fifty people to book and attend an appointment with one of our Yarnin’ Energy Mentors will receive a FREE Energy…

12 November , 2024

Energy, Food and Water Security in Northern Australia

The Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia is conducting an inquiry and report on energy, food and water security in the north of Australia. Submissions are currently open to the public and will close on 31st January 2025. The availability (including cost availability) is of great concern to all consumers, but especially to those living…

17 September , 2024

Space heaters – Have your say on performance comparisons of residential space heaters

There is currently no easy way for consumers to compare the energy use, energy efficiency, running cost or greenhouse gas emissions of different heater types, e.g. air conditioners (heat pumps), gas space heaters, and electric resistance heaters. Space heating accounts for around a third of residential energy use in Australia and New Zealand. Space heating…

28 August , 2024

Consultation Opens on the Energy Performance of Space Heaters

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is consulting on a proposed technical methodology for comparing the energy performance of residential space heaters (called “the comparison methodology”). The comparison methodology is a technical foundation from which the energy performance of different space heaters could be compared. It identifies how to define and…

1 August , 2024

ICAN Launches Yarnin’ Energy as Cost of Living Crisis Continues

ICAN’s Yarnin’ Energy project launched earlier this month after receiving funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Climate’s, Enable Grants Program. ICAN CEO, Aaron Davis, said, “Inflation has seriously impacted household budgets and higher energy costs contribute to the current cost of living crisis. We’re excited to launch our Yarnin’ Energy project, which combines,…

31 July , 2024

First Nations-led Study on Lived Experience of Energy in Communities Launches

A new, first-of-its-kind First Nations-led research project has launched today, to improve energy security and consumer protections for customers accessing electricity services through pre-payment arrangements. Prepaid metering is mandated in many regional and remote Aboriginal communities and is associated with a high rate of disconnections and energy insecurity. Consumer protections for those customers vary across…

25 July , 2024

Money Yarns, Stronger Futures – Highlighting Challenges and Bold Recommendations

The Consumer Action Law Centre has today released a groundbreaking report titled Money Yarns, Stronger Futures. The report amplifies the voices of First Nations people, sharing their personal experiences to shed light on the significant challenges they face in achieving financial prosperity. Money Yarns, Stronger Futures not only highlights these challenges but also offers bold recommendations for both…

25 July , 2024

EWON Board Community Director Opportunity

The Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is currently accepting nominations for the EWON Board Community Director position. The position is a three year term starting from 31 October 2024 with nominations closing 26/07/2024. From EWON’s website: The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is calling for nominations for one Community Director for the EWON…