Essential Services Commission

💧📈 Our latest customer perception survey results show customer ratings of their water business have remained steady compared to the previous survey results.
The survey measures four key areas: level of trust, value for money, reputation in the community and overall satisfaction.
Visit our website to learn more: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/water/sector-performance-and-reporting/how-customers-rate-their-water-business

We’re making it easier for licensed electricity generators to understand and meet their obligations by removing unnecessary and outdated licence conditions.

Anyone who holds a licence to generate electricity in Victoria will now operate under a single set of standard licence conditions, instead of multiple individual conditions set out across existing licences.

More information: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/simplified-licence-conditions-electricity-generators

Winter is here, and higher gas use can mean higher bills.

Our recent data shows that 45 per cent of gas customers in Victoria could save more than 15 per cent on their gas bills simply by accepting their retailer’s best gas offer.

Check your bill to see if your retailer has identified a better gas offer and switch to save.

More information: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/data-shows-gas-customers-could-save-bills

ℹ️ The Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) (EWOV) is hosting community information sessions this month for residents in Braybrook, Wangaratta, Euroa, Seymour and Tarneit.

More information below ⬇️

We’re heading out to directly talk to communities about their energy and water.

Bring your bills to the following free events across Victoria:
📍3 June, Braybrook – 1pm to 3pm at Duke Street Community House in Central West Plaza – book via Duke Street on (03) 9311 9973
📍9 June, Wangaratta – 1pm to 4pm at Pangerang Community Hub, 38 Ovens Street
📍10 June, Euroa – 10am to 3pm at Euroa Third Age Club on Kirkland Avenue
📍11 June, Seymour – 9am to 12pm at Our Place Seymour in Seymour College on Stewart Street
📍23 June, Tarneit – 10am to 2pm at Dianella Community Centre Wyndham City

Find out more about our community outreach on our website: www.ewov.com.au/about-us/our-community-outreach

The new maximum interest rate that water businesses may charge their customers on unpaid water bills from 1 July 2026 will be 6.0 per cent.
The commission sets the maximum interest rate to ensure that charges for late payments remain fair and reflect the reasonable cost to water businesses of unpaid bills, without placing undue financial pressure on customers.

Read more:
https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/maximum-interest-rate-payable-overdue-water-bills-1-july-2026

Following a request from Glen Eira City Council, we have approved an application for a higher rate cap of 5 per cent for the 2026-27 financial year, 2.25 percentage points above the 2.75 per cent cap set by the Minister for Local Government.

Read more on our website: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/glen-eira-city-councils-request-higher-rate-cap-approved

From Ballarat to Dandenong, our inspectors have been out in force around the state, checking that energy efficient installations meet Victorian Energy Upgrades program rules.

Read more: https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/compliance-push-weeds-out-non-compliant-businesses-44-million-certificates-forfeited