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Draft code and report
We released a draft code and report on 10 March 2021
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Consumer fact sheet
We released a consumer fact sheet on 23 March 2021
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Public forum
A public forum was held on Wednesday 24 March 2021
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Submissions
Submissions close Friday 9 April 2021
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Final code and report
We released the final code and report on 2 July 2021
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Consultation draft guideline
We released a draft consultation guideline on 26 July 2021
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Submissions
Submissions closed on 6 August 2021
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Final guideline
We released the final guideline on 3 September 2021
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Variation of Code
We released a variation of code on 17 February 2023
The ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code started on 1 October 2021. The code requires retailers to advertise their prices against a benchmark to make it easier for consumers to compare offers, tell their customers about plans that might save them money and give their customers tailored information to help them choose the best plan for them.
Variation of Code
On 31 March 2022, the Australian Energy Regulator published its Better Bills Guideline (AER Guideline).
As the AER Guideline is similar to the better offer obligation contained in the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code 2021 (ACT Code), the commission decided to vary the ACT Code.
On 21 June 2022 the ACT Code was varied to remove the better offer obligation which was set out in clauses 3.3 and 3.4 of the ACT Code.
To ensure that consumers in the ACT continue to obtain the benefits of the better offer obligation until the AER Guideline is fully operational, the current transitional better offer arrangements within the ACT Code have been extended to 30 September 2023.
The obligation to maintain records for 6 years will remain.
These variations to the Code will avoid confusion and minimise the administrative costs of NERL retailers, which will benefit ACT consumers.
The consumer factsheet and code guideline below have been amended to reflect the variations that have been made to the ACT Code.
Final guideline
We have made our final decision on the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code Guideline. The final guideline is available below.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code Guideline | 1.4 MB | 21 Feb 2023 |
Final code and report
We have made our final decision on the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code and released our final report. The final code and report are available below.
Utilities (ACT Retail Electricity – Transparency and Comparability Code) Determination 2021
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code | 857.5 KB | 2 Jul 2021 | |
| Final report - Improving the transparency and comparability of retail electricity offers | 1.1 MB | 2 Jul 2021 | |
| Media release - Improving the transparency and comparability of retail electricity offers | 229.7 KB | 2 Jul 2021 | |
| Utilities (ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code) Variation 2023 | 173.5 KB | 21 Feb 2023 |
Consumer Fact Sheets
We have developed fact sheets to assist consumers in finding the best plan for their circumstances. The first fact sheet helps explain the new ‘Transparency and Comparability Code’. The second fact sheet explains the difference between a standing offer and a market offer.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer fact sheet standing offer v market offer | 126.0 KB | 12 Aug 2022 | |
| Consumer fact sheet for the transparency and comparability code | 221.5 KB | 21 Feb 2023 |
Consumers benefiting from the ACT Retail Electricity Code
On 11 August, the ACT Government released a report detailing the results of a YourSay survey that asked ACT electricity consumers whether they are aware of the Code and whether it is helping them in choosing an electricity plan that best suits their circumstances. Below is a copy of the report that summarises findings of the YourSay survey and our media release about it.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| YourSay Panel - ICRC Electricity Code Survey | 286.8 KB | 11 Aug 2022 | |
| Media release - YourSay Panel - ICRC Electricity Code Survey | 207.5 KB | 11 Aug 2022 |
Submissions
Submissions about the Guideline are below. We have prepared a summary of submissions and our responses to the issues that were raised.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICRC response | 198.5 KB | 14 Sep 2021 | |
| Submission - ActewAGL | 372.1 KB | 14 Sep 2021 | |
| Submission - ACTCOSS | 120.8 KB | 14 Sep 2021 | |
| Submission - AGL Energy | 44.3 KB | 14 Sep 2021 | |
| Submission - Shell Energy | 312.6 KB | 14 Sep 2021 |
Consultation draft guideline
We are consulting on a draft guideline to help retailers comply with their obligations under the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code. We invite comments and feedback by Friday 6 August 2021.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation draft: ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code Guideline | 1.5 MB | 26 Jul 2021 | |
| Cover letter for consultation draft guideline | 245.5 KB | 26 Jul 2021 |
Submissions - Draft Report
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submission 1 - AER | 272.5 KB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 2 - ACAT | 939.6 KB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 3 - Energy Australia | 234.5 KB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 4 - Origin Energy | 196.0 KB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 5 - ActewAGL | 1.3 MB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 6 - Red Energy and Lumo Energy | 368.2 KB | 22 Apr 2021 | |
| Submission 7 - ACTCOSS | 219.3 KB | 22 Apr 2021 |
Public forum
We held a public forum at 11am on Wednesday 24 March 2021.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|
Consumer fact sheet (draft code)
We have released a fact sheet to help consumers understand how the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code will help them compare electricity plans and find the best deals.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer fact sheet: Draft ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code | 272.5 KB | 23 Mar 2021 |
Draft code and report
We have released a draft of the ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code and a draft report, which are available below. Copies may also be inspected at our offices between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Interested parties are invited to make submissions by Friday 9 April 2021.
A short submission can be made using this link.
| Document Name | Type | Size | Published date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attachment B: Ministerial Direction | 51.3 KB | 10 Mar 2021 | |
| Attachment A: Draft ACT Retail Electricity (Transparency and Comparability) Code | 1.3 MB | 10 Mar 2021 | |
| Draft report: Improving the transparency and comparability of retail electricity offers | 1.7 MB | 10 Mar 2021 |