Energy bills in Australia are set to undergo a significant change following the introduction of a new rule by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). The rule mandates that electricity retailers highlight cheaper offers on their customers’ bills, a move that has been reported by news outlets across the country.
This adjustment comes as energy prices are expected to rise, prompting the AEMC to take action. The new measure, which will be implemented in December 2026, aims to ensure that Australians are better informed about more affordable plans, though its effectiveness in driving savings remains to be seen.
A Critical Shift in How Bills Are Presented
In an effort to make energy bills more consumer-friendly, the AEMC’s new rule, set to take effect on December 30, 2026, will force retailers to make better offers more noticeable. While energy companies have already been obliged to notify customers about cheaper plans, studies have shown that nearly half of consumers don’t even open their bills. This leaves many missing out on potentially cheaper energy deals.
A key aspect of the rule is its focus on visibility. Instead of relying on the fine print or buried sections of the bill, the “better offer” will be more prominent, making it hard to overlook. This is a move toward increasing transparency in an industry often criticized for its complex pricing structures.
The goal is straightforward: make the process of finding a better plan easier for everyone. Anna Collyer, chair of the AEMC, emphasized that many customers disengage from reviewing their energy bills due to their complexity or time constraints.
Energy bills can be complex and many customers are busy, leading large numbers to disengage and potentially miss out on better plans – she said.
The new changes will ensure that price information is as visible as possible, much like a product on sale in a shopfront.
The Problem: Rising Energy Costs
The timing of these changes comes on the heels of a substantial price increase set to affect households across New South Wales, South Australia, and southeast Queensland. Starting July 1, 2025, energy bills in some areas will rise by up to 9.7%. Residents in New South Wales will see the largest hikes, with rates jumping by between 8.3% and 9.7%.
Those in South Australia will face increases ranging from 2.3% to 3.2%, while southeast Queensland residents will experience hikes of between 0.5% and 3.7%.
This surge in prices is largely attributed to the wholesale electricity and gas prices, which have skyrocketed due to global supply chain issues and environmental factors. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the electricity, gas, and waste sector experienced a 15.8% rise in business turnover in July, hitting a new record.
This division is now at a record high, breaking the previous record set in August 2022 – the ABS noted.
As these prices continue to climb, many households are feeling the pinch, making it all the more crucial that they can find more affordable energy plans.
Aiming for More Consumer-Friendly Reforms
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has pointed out that the new bill presentation rule is just one piece of a larger puzzle aimed at improving fairness in the energy sector. Alongside this new rule, there will be other changes coming into effect by December 2026.
These include preventing “sneaky” price hikes more than once a year and ensuring that people who signed up on low-cost offers aren’t suddenly hit with high rates once their initial deal expires.
For those who find themselves in financial hardship, new regulations will ensure that they are automatically placed on the most affordable energy plan available to them.
We asked the Australian Energy Market Commission to make it easier for consumers to move their energy bi – Mr. Bowen said.
This is just one element of making sure everyone gets the best deal possible in our energy market.
