Having trouble paying your bill?

If you can't pay your bill, your retailer may be able to help. Call them as soon as possible to find out how.

Get help early to avoid paying extra fees or to stop getting disconnected.

Transcript

"Ever found yourself with an energy bill that you couldn't afford? You're not alone. But help is available. Don't ignore your bills or reminders because you could risk disconnection. Instead, take action. Ring your energy retailer and let them know that you're struggling to pay. Don't worry - they often get calls like this. Be honest with your retailer, it'll help them to offer you what you need, such as, an extension or a payment plan to help you catch up, longer term support through their hardship program, a different energy offer that might be cheaper, information about concessions, and even helpful energy saving ideas. Let your retailer know if you're unclear or unhappy with what they suggest. And don't agree to a payment plan you can't afford. To learn more go to http://energymadeeasy.gov.au - a website from the Australian Energy Regulator."

Financial hardship programs

Sometimes things happen in life that make it hard to pay your bills. Call your energy provider and talk to them about your situation. You can also ask a support person to contact your energy provider for you.

Under the National Energy Retail Law, retailers must assist customers that are having payment difficulties.

Your retailer will need to know more about your financial problems before you can use their hardship program.

Your retailer must:

give you the option of paying your bill in regular, smaller amounts (for example, every 2 weeks) – this is sometimes called a payment plan
help you work out if you are eligible for any government rebates and/or concessions
tell you about financial counselling services.

They might also be able to:

give you more time to pay
waive late fees
give you tips on using less energy
check that your energy plan is right for you.

Our Life can be tough flyer explains the help that is available for customers that are having trouble paying their energy bills. The flyer is also available in other languages.

Payment plans

A payment plan is when you agree to regularly pay back small amounts – for example, every 2 weeks.

You and your retailer will agree on the amount you will pay back each time. You can enter a payment plan even if you are not in your retailer's hardship program.

The retailer will look at:

how much you owe
how much your bills might be over the next 12 months
how much you can afford to pay.

Make sure you can afford the amount you will pay back each time.

Your retailer can't cut off your power if you keep up with your payments, but they can if you don't.

If you don't know where to start, a financial counsellor may be able to help.

Sustainable Payment Plans Framework

The Sustainable Payment Plans Framework is designed to help you and your retailer agree to a payment plan you can afford and that will help you pay the money you owe.

Some retailers have agreed to follow the Sustainable Payments Plan Framework which covers residential customers. These retailers are:

1st Energy
AGL
Alinta Energy
Amaysim
Aurora Energy
Click Energy
Discover Energy
EnergyAustralia
Energy Locals
Enova Energy
Ergon Energy Queensland
Locality Planning Energy
Metered Energy Holdings
Mojo Power
Nectr
Origin Energy
People Energy
Pooled Energy
Powerdirect
Powershop
Simply Energy.

Retailers using this framework have promised to be flexible, have respect and to try to understand and consider your circumstances when talking about a payment plan.

If you have a concern with the way a retailer has discussed a payment plan with you, you should speak to them and see if you can fix the problem. If the problem is still not fixed, you can contact your local energy ombudsman.

The framework is attached at the bottom of this page.

Centrepay

If you get a Centrelink payment, you can pay your energy bill directly from your payment. This is called Centrepay.

Ask your retailer or Centrelink if you want to use Centrepay.

If you are in your retailer's hardship program, your retailer must let you pay your bills using Centrepay.

Complaints

Contact your local energy ombudsman if:

you disagree with your retailer about your bill and can't solve it with them
your retailer won't let you use their hardship program
you can't agree about how to pay the money back.

Their contact details are on our Useful contacts page.

Tip

You can get advice from a financial counsellor. Financial counsellors offer a confidential and independent service to help people with financial problems.

Financial counsellors can help you resolve debt issues and give you advice to help you get back on track.

The National Debt Helpline offers free financial counselling. You can contact this service on 1800 007 007 or go to www.ndh.org.au.