On 25 March 2025, the Australian Government announced an extension of the Energy Bill Relief Fund until 31 December 2025. On 6 June 2025, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water wrote to the AER requesting that we retain the Tier 1 information outlined in our 28 June 2024 decision as set out in our letter to retailers dated 1 July 2024.
We have written to retailers to confirm that the existing obligations set out in our 1 July 2024 letter to retailers will continue to apply until revoked by the AER. Retailers must continue to include the specified messages on relevant small customers’ electricity bills in line with the amended decision made under section 37 of the Better Bills Guideline and advised to retailers on 1 July 2024. Retailers are required to comply with the guideline under rule 25(1) of the National Energy Retail Rules, which is a Tier 3 civil penalty provision.
In this letter, we have also confirmed that if the Queensland regulations cease to require retailers to use their best endeavours to include a separate message, we expect retailers to include the AER’s message as set out in our 1 July 2024 letter where relevant.
We acknowledge the Energy Bill Relief Fund has been extended to 31 December 2025. It may be appropriate to reconsider the message at that time, but our decision will remain in place until revoked. The current message remains accurate and contains information that is generally helpful for energy customers in understanding energy options, rebates and concessions. Retaining the current message at this time will also minimise any potential cost impacts for retailers and customers.
Our planned review of the Better Bills Guideline in 2026 will offer a timely opportunity to seek feedback on the merits of requiring retailers to include this information on customer bills on an ongoing basis.