- Accepting submissions
Overview
The Better Bills Guideline (Version 1) was published on 31 March 2022. The purpose of the Guideline is to provide guidance to retailers on preparing and issuing bills that make it easy for small customers to understand billing information.
On 23 September 2022, the AER published a draft Better Bills Guideline (Version 2) and draft notice for consultation. The amendments in the draft Better Bills Guideline (Version 2) provide clarity on the better offer and self-read information requirements. They also provide flexibility to allow for a potential delay to the date retailers must comply with the new billing requirements, pending the outcome of a rule change proposal that is currently being considered by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).
Have your say
The AER is undertaking consultation to make minor amendments to the Guideline to provide clarity on the better offer and self-read information requirements. They also provide flexibility to allow for a potential delay to the date retailers must comply with the new billing requirements, pending the outcome of a rule change proposal that is currently being considered by the Australian Energy Market Commission. Stakeholders are invited to provide comments on these proposed amendments by 31 October 2022.
Background
On 16 April 2020, the Hon Angus Taylor MP (then Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction), submitted a rule change request to amend the National Energy Retail Rules on behalf of the Australian Government.
On 18 March 2021, the AEMC made a final rule requiring us to publish a billing guideline by 1 April 2022.
Progress to date
- March 2022: Release of BIT’s research on better offer and publication of the final Better Bills Guideline (Version 1).
- September 2022: Release of illustrative example bills, accompanying explanatory information, and BIT’s research report on consumer testing of these examples. Publication of draft Better Bills Guideline (Version 2).