Media Release

Energy prices: New rules and tips to help protect your wallet

Spring is a time for new beginnings. A fresh start. Unfortunately, with many households receiving quarterly energy bills, the cost of your winter heating may leave you starting the new season on the back foot,  financially.

The winter months saw another round of electricity and gas price changes (hitting some households with hikes of more than $200 annually on average), and research from energy comparison service iSelect revealed many Aussies were taking desperate measures to avoid the pain of a sky-high winter energy bill¹.1Sources: www.aer.gov.au/documents/aer-final-determination-default-market-offer-prices-2025-26-26-may-2025 www.esc.vic.gov.au/media-centre/independent-regulator-announces-victorian-electricity-default-offer www.originenergy.com.au/pricing/price-changes/ www.energyaustralia.com.au/home/help-and-support/faqs/rate-changes, www.agl.com.au/residential/energy/energy-price-changes?cidi=AGL-B1003092#accordion-a90f74c27d-item-13027f04a6

According to the study, two-thirds of Aussies surveyed were cutting back on their energy use over winter, which could mean resorting to shorter showers, rugging up instead of turning on the heat, or sealing gaps to trap in any warm air.² 2Select commissioned i-Link Research to conduct an online survey between 28 Apr – 4 May 2025. The sample is n=1,500 Australians. The data is weighted to represent the population by age, state and gender, and is representative of all Australian adults 18+

Behind every rising bill is someone like 91-year-old Mavis Mackie, who has been around long enough to see many bills come and go, and has turned heat rationing down to a fine art.

“I do have air conditioning, but only two units, and it’s not enough to warm the whole house as it’s a large home with lots of glass, so it doesn’t hold the heat in,” Mavis explained.

“It’s not worth the money to put it on, so I get all rugged up in my nice warm chair and I have an electric blanket and some beautiful socks. I certainly have my winter woollies down pat.”

Household debt increases.

Her story highlights an uncomfortable truth, as do the latest findings from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) quarterly retail performance report.

The energy debt of Aussies (those who’ve owed money to retailers for more than 90 calendar days) remained similar to the same time last year, but over the past 12 months to March 31, 2025, the average debt (despite government rebates) was up by $502 in Queensland, $396 in South Australia, $275 in NSW and $124 in the ACT (this excludes customers on hardship programs).³3 Page 8, www.aer.gov.au/system/files/2025-06/Key%20trends%20 %20Quarter%203%202024%E2%80%9325%20retail%20performance%20data.pdf

Practical steps that could help you save as the weather heats up.

As the mercury starts to rise, no tradies or fancy gadgets are required for this. Turn off appliances instead of leaving them on standby, and cool only rooms you are actively using. Even small adjustments can lead to noticeable savings, like washing clothes in cold water, using air fryers instead of ovens, and opening windows to bring in the breeze and let the hot air out, can make a small difference.⁴4 Source: www.energy.gov.au/households/quick-wins

Regularly reviewing your energy plan is an important step too, especially when recent research by iSelect found 30% of people surveyed who switched plans in the last two years say they’re saved money. More than half of them estimate to be saving over $100 annually and that kind of savings can be significant when every dollar matters⁵.5 Source: Select commissioned i-Link Research to conduct an online survey between 28 Apr – 4 May 2025. The sample is n=1,500 Australians. The data is weighted to represent the population by age, state and gender, and is representative of all Australian adults 18+.

Reform is on the cards.

Major reforms are underway to make energy plans more transparent. From July 2026, retailers will be limited to only one price increase per year and must offer fee-free payment options. There will also be additional protections for vulnerable customers, including access to the retailer’s best offer and a ban on excessive fees. Those measures will take effect from December 2026. ⁶6 Source: https://www.energy.gov.au/news/new-rules-energy-retailers-help-more-australians-access-better-deals

In the meantime, energy bills might seem overwhelming, but you can regain some control. Regularly checking your energy plan, making small changes around your home, and staying informed about your options can help ensure a cooler spring and summer, and potentially, a fuller wallet.

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