Queensland is introducing new consumer protections to prevent "bill shock" for households impacted by the installation of smart meters. Under proposed regulations, customers in Southeast Queensland who were switched to time-of-use tariffs following the installation of smart meters will have the option to return to a flat-rate tariff.
This change follows growing concerns over the sudden increase in electricity bills for customers who were unknowingly moved to time-of-use tariffs. While these tariffs can potentially lower energy costs for consumers who use electricity during off-peak hours, they require customers to closely monitor their energy consumption to benefit from savings. Many customers, however, were unaware of the tariff changes until they received unexpectedly high bills.
The new regulation aligns with a broader move by the Australian Energy Market Commission, which has enacted a three-year ban on energy retailers changing tariffs without customer consent. This ban was introduced after Queensland raised concerns about the lack of transparency in tariff changes.
In regional Queensland, electricity tariffs are regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority, meaning providers like Ergon Energy Retail cannot change tariffs without the customer’s informed consent.