Simple energy trick costing you $171
According to research by Choice, Australians are getting ripped off by their power company due to deliberately confusing names.
Choice alleges electricity providers are using the same name on two different energy plans, meaning unexpected Aussies are paying more for their power than they need to. Households could be paying $171 more than they should on their electricity bills. NewsWire / Emma Brasier Credit: News Corp Australia
Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva said it shouldn't be this hard to know if you're being ripped off on your energy bill.
'The potential impact of this practice is significant,' says De Silva.
'Choice estimates that reusing identical names for plans with differing prices could, in aggregate, be costing consumers approximately $65 million in savings.'
In a lodgement to the ACCC the consumer group claims electricity providers deliberately make it harder for Australians to switch plans.
The Australian Energy Regulator added a requirement in September 2023, forcing the energy retailers to make it easier for consumers to understand.
As part of these changes power companies have to tell customers on their bills if they have a cheaper plan available and how much they could save by switching.
The guideline requires a compulsory 'better offer' statement on the first page of the bill, under the heading 'Could you save money on another plan?'
Choice claims to have collected almost 400 energy bills from January to March 2025, finding 64 energy plans have identical names. The Australian Energy Regulator says households power bills could rise between 2.5 and 8.9 per cent depending on where a person lives. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
As such, Choice alleges Australians believe they are on the cheapest plan possible and are paying more than they should for electricity.
'Across these 64 examples, people could have saved an average of $171 annually had they switched to the cheaper plan, even though it had the same name.
'The highest potential savings amongst these examples was $588 per year.'
Ms De Silva said the energy market is already difficult for Aussie households to navigate without the need for misleading practices such as using the same name on plans.
'At a time when we're all looking for ways to save, energy companies are making it harder and harder to know what you're paying and why,' De Silva said.
'This practice is extremely confusing, and potentially misleading or deceptive.
'Supporters who shared their bills with CHOICE often thought that the offer to save money by switching to a plan with an identical name was a mistake, and likely missed out on significant savings.'
The submission to the ACCC comes on the eve of millions of Australians paying more for their power.
Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its latest default market offer (DMO) draft determination in April which is the maximum households living in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland will be paying.
Under the draft, households' power bills could rise between 2.5 and 8.9 per cent depending on where a person lives.
Small business customers could see rises between 4.2 and 8.2 per cent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Fraud claim rocks Smorgon gold mine deal
Companies controlled by the powerful Victor Smorgon Group have been accused of running a dishonest and fraudulent scheme to invalidly acquire a stake in an Australian gold mine at a below-market price. The allegations, which have been strongly denied, were filed in the Federal Court by the Smorgon group's Chinese partners in the Stawell Gold Mine, and reveal a bitter battle for control of the Victorian project at a time of record high gold prices.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Writer boycott proves strangely selective
Just do it Reaching consensus on how to reform the Australian tax system seems unlikely. At the most basic level, there is little agreement as to what such reform even means. To some people, tax reform means finding ways to raise more tax revenue. Others argue the government would not need to raise more money if it spent what it already has more effectively. Some people say wealthy people and high-income earners should pay more. Others say they should not be penalised for their hard work and smart use of current tax arrangements. Raising and/or broadening the GST is often suggested, until the regressive effects are considered. Maybe rather than hoping to reach agreement on tax reform at a roundtable, or in the community, the government should just announce some significant changes to the tax system and be willing to face the consequences. Rod Wise, Surrey Hills Show your mettle US President Donald Trump went into his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin an aggressive peacemaker and came out purring like a pussy cat (' The art of the 'no deal': How the Trump-Putin meeting unfolded ', 16/8). Who would have guessed? At least the performance by Trump has bought the European countries of NATO out into the cold light of day. It is no longer possible for them to shelter under the tattered umbrella of the United States. Putin wants Ukraine, and nobody would expect Russia not to prevail – their military might is just too strong. So now it's up to the European countries in NATO. Unfortunately, issuing press releases championing the Ukrainian cause and blowing kisses to President Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer going to cut it. Either Britain, France, Germany and other European NATO countries form a coalition of the willing or they accept Russia expanding its territory in Eastern Europe at least up to the northern boundaries of Ukraine. Putin sees nothing but timidity from the European NATO countries – so the time has come either to call his bluff or be content with a dramatic expansion of Russian territory into Western Europe. Robert Dean, Hawthorn East A good start I'm amazed by the number of your correspondents who are criticising Donald Trump for not stopping the Ukraine-Russia war. I'm just pleased that for the first time in a long time, the leaders of the United States and Russia are talking (and not firing nuclear missiles at one another). The causes of this war are complex and need to be resolved before there can be a secure peace. The demand for a quick resolution is impractical and unreasonable, and is being used to pile undeserved criticism on Trump. There are plenty of things he has done wrong; opening up dialogue with Russia is not one of them. Peter Martina, Warrnambool More whistles Rarely a week goes by without decisions by AFL umpires being heavily criticised by both supporters and in the footy media. There's no doubt that AFL is by far the most difficult sport for umpires and referees to adjudicate, with the size of the field, the 36 players involved in the play, and the incredible pace of the game. The many rules such as holding the ball, push in the back, interference in marking contests are all very subjective, so it's little wonder that the match officials don't always get it right. Originally, only one field umpire controlled each game, but this increased to two in 1976, then to three in 1994, and four in 2023. Despite these increases, the overall decision-making by umpires does not appear to have improved exponentially. In fact, it is not uncommon for one umpire close to the action to award a free kick and have this overturned by another positioned further away. It is out of the question to introduce a procedure where umpiring decisions are reviewed by the AFL Review Centre, like they do in the NRL. The continuity of play in Aussie rules has always been one of the biggest appeals for spectators of the game compared with other football codes. The AFL should seriously consider giving whistles to the four boundary and two goal umpires. They are all closely engaged in the battle of play, and the extra six sets of eyes could well give us the outcomes that we all cherish, less bad decisions on the day. Will Muskens, Bardon, Qld Simple solution Michael Gleeson on the varying impact of umpiring errors (' Crow throws and the free kick that wasn't: Adelaide's luck turns ', 17/8) highlights the obvious point that the laws of Aussie rules can be 'silly'. Good luck explaining the game to a first-time spectator. If the AFL seeks to protect and recruit umpires, the rules need simplifying. This will bring clarity that can aid umpires, players and fans. Justin O'Halloran, Clifton Hill Much to play for The last few AFL games for teams unable to make the finals might not mean much to some people but I am sure they mean plenty for young players striving to make a good impression. As for the oldies like Patrick Cripps, the look on his face after a win and chance to end the year on a positive note spoke volumes. Just as during the season, there have been some lacklustre hitouts, but I bet Carlton and Essendon on Thursday night will be of great interest to supporters with a lot of young players on display giving their all to make a good impression. Dwindling crowds are to be expected, but I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of Blues and Bombers fans turn up to the MCG on Thursday night. John Rawson, Mernda Vibrant precinct I was surprised on reading ' The street's dead: Inner-city strip struggles with nighttime lull ' (17/8) as I did not recognise my local shopping strip. The implication and accompanying photo gave the impression of several empty shops sitting below tired facades which collect graffiti due to neglect. The graffiti depicted has been there for many years. While it would be good to see Yarra Council clean this up, it is no indication of neglect or apathy on the part of business owners. The end of the street near Fledgling Cafe is still a vibrant and bustling precinct, particularly at the weekend when the footpath becomes congested with shoppers and cafe-goers on both sides of Rathdowne Street. It needs to be mentioned that there is an abundance of cafes in this area, so competition is fierce. While evening dining is quieter in the winter months, the warmer months attract lively crowds indoors and out. Rathdowne Village has exactly the right mix of charm, quality shopping and an array of dining choices. I feel blessed to live in this area. Sue Lyons, Carlton North Incentivise action Ask any trader in Rathdowne or Nicholson streets why they're struggling or selling up. It's spiralling rent. You can't and don't need to ask the owners of the Victorian shopfronts blighting Nicholson Street why they're empty – some derelict for over 25 years. It's a no-brainer: their inherited capital gains mean they're cashing in effortlessly. And further largesse is guaranteed as planning regulation is captured by the property lobbies. The Henry George League, with an office in Melbourne, argues convincingly that our taxation system is over-reliant on revenue raised from productive activity (making, selling, servicing), while insufficiently taxing use of land and natural resources. Rather than despair at the prospect of the 2026 Victorian election, is it possible to mobilise support for state taxation reform, much as the teals did for climate change action? Angela Munro, Carlton North Time saver The idea that petrol cars refuel faster than EVs is a myth (Letters, 18/8). A petrol stop usually takes 10 minutes or more once you factor in driving in, waiting, pumping, paying inside, and the regular hours lost each year to servicing. An EV, on the other hand, is refuelled at home — every morning starts with a full battery and no wasted time at a servo. Given that the average person drives less than 100 kilometres a day, most owners rarely need public charging, and so-called 'range anxiety' all but disappears. One winter day, I took a trip I hadn't planned for and needed extra range. My EV directed me to a fast charger, pre-warmed the battery on the way, and five minutes of charging was all it took to return home — to be fed again overnight by my personal pump. Charging is also much cheaper than petrol, even without solar. However, if you can't charge at home, I doubt an EV is a sensible choice. And on top of all that, EVs deliver sparkling acceleration. David Milner, Port Melbourne AND ANOTHER THING Productivity Danielle Wood, chair of the Productivity Commission, said a carbon price 'is the best way to achieve a decrease in carbon emissions'. I'll say it out loud for Jim Chalmers: Australia needs a carbon tax. John Hughes, Mentone Remind me again, how well has the removal of red tape and the subsequent increase in self-regulation gone in the childcare sector for example? Phil Alexander, Eltham One can only hope that Ross Gittins is at the economic roundtable to dispense some sense ('Want better productivity? Keep wages rising strongly', 18/8). Vicki Jordan, Lower Plenty Putin and Trump Vladimir Putin is a master of the lesson 'grab 'em by their balls and their hearts and minds will follow', which he is busy teaching an obedient and compliant Donald Trump. Conversely, Volodymyr Zelensky must be a slow learner as he keeps fighting Putin. Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights Loading To be clear, President Zelensky was not humiliated last time he visited the White House (as some have suggested). The humiliation should go to Trump, his thugs in the room and the people of America who watched the embarrassing spectacle of them replacing diplomacy with schoolyard bullying. Phill Goode, Southbank Is Donald Trump trying to win the Nobel 'appease' prize? Paul Miller, Albury Trump's reported statement on his negotiations with Putin that 'there's no deal until there's a deal' is a rare instance of him making a truthful, verifiable, and insightful comment on any of the major issues facing the world. Harry Zable, Campbells Creek Finally I'm fearful of venturing to the 'G without earplugs to see Cats v Tigers, not because of the crowd noise but because of AFL's 'enhanced experience'. To quietly share the intricacies of the game with six-year-old grandchildren adds the hype I need. George Reed, Wheelers Hill
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
18 August
Ooops, an error has occurred! Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we'll help resolve the issue or try again later. The Streaming Subscription provides Australians access to top rating opinion shows, award-winning political coverage, live breaking news, sport and weather, expert business insights and groundbreaking documentaries across four dedicated news channels for $5 a month. This includes: Sky News – Australia's news channel featuring award-winning journalists, insights from the biggest names in opinion, ground-breaking special investigations, and live breaking news, sport and weather. Available live and on-demand. Sky News Extra – A dedicated 24/7 channel featuring live press conferences and Parliament broadcasts, with unfiltered access to Australian democracy in action. Available live. Sky News Weather – Australia's only 24/7 weather channel bringing you the latest weather forecasts from the country's largest team of meteorologists. Available live. FOX SPORTS News – Australia's only 24/7 sports news channel, first and live in breaking sports news. Available live. Stream Sky News channel shows in full live and on-demand on or the Sky News Australia app and cast to your compatible TV. For the best streaming experience, stream your favourite Sky News shows on your compatible Smart TV. For a step-by-step guide on how to sign in on your Smart TV or to find out if your Smart TV is compatible, visit our help page. There is no lock-in contract when you subscribe to a Streaming Subscription. Renewals occur automatically unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions . The Streaming Subscription is not available outside of Australia. If overseas (excluding New Zealand), you can access your favourite Sky News Australia programs by signing up to Australia Channel. Sky News Australia's international 24/7 news streaming service. Find out more here. You can continue to access digital-only content, video highlights, and listen to the latest podcasts without a subscription on our website and app. The Streaming Subscription gives subscribers live stream access to unrivalled news and opinion content across four dedicated news channels 24/7.
