Cost of Living

For a brief moment, and for a lucky few, we eradicated poverty. Now we're letting people slip back below the

To support low-income Victorians through this crisis, regulatory changes must be accompanied by a combination of targeted financial support and

Victorian community organisations have prepared this joint submission to represent the interest of consumers, and especially vulnerable households, in the

For some households with embedded networks it can be close to impossible, or very expensive, to exit the network.

Energy efficiency upgrades reduce household energy bills and can make houses healthier and more comfortable.

We are concerned that Victorians on low-incomes and with additional energy-related needs could miss out on their benefits and protections.

VCOSS submission to the Senate inquiry into the adequacy of Newstart and related payments VCOSS joins the call of economists,

Response to Essential Services Commission Issues Paper Ensuring energy contracts are clear and fair These proposed reforms come on the

Response to draft Orders in Council on the Victorian Default Offer  Joint submission by the Victorian Council of Social Service,

Response to ESC draft decision on Energy Retail Code changes The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) welcomes consultation by

Response to the Essential Services Commission draft advice on the Victorian Default Offer methodology Joint submission by the Victorian Council

The new Victorian energy fact sheet will replace existing price and product information statements and offer summaries.

A deliberately confusing and complex electricity market is allowing retailers to charge Victorians more.

VCOSS welcomes these changes to the feed-in tariff methodology.

VCOSS response to ACCC discussion paper on electricity supply monitoring

VCOSS is concerned the VEU program is under-used by people on low incomes, renters and people with health and disability

This report estimates 180,000 Victorian households (7.3%) experience persistent payment difficulty.

Is a 'Basic Standing Offer' for power users a good idea?

VCOSS response to registration guideline for non-licensed electricity providers. In Victoria, most electricity is provided by businesses licensed by the

VCOSS is keen to ensure minimum feed-in tariffs do not increase energy bills for non-solar, grid-dependent households, and negate the

VCOSS supports amendments that would ensure Victorian energy customers are notified about changes to, or the expiry of, a fixed

While financial literacy and capability programs are only one factor in achieving financial wellbeing, they help reduce vulnerability to financial

VCOSS is very pleased the ACCC is undertaking this inquiry and exercising its powers to compel information from retailers. We

On 10 October 2017 the Essential Services Commission released a draft guidance note outlining its approach to promoting and enforcing compliance with

We live in tough energy times. Power prices keep going up, well beyond inflation, wages, and income support payments. Staying

Victorians are being pushed to the edge by electricity price rises. Our bills are now the second highest in Australia

It is increasingly tough to stay connected to power and providing support for people in payment difficulty is more important

VCOSS views the proposed redesign as an opportunity to strengthen, rather than diminish, financial wellbeing and capability services, particularly at

"The robodebt system must be, to borrow a term used previously, must be ‘dead, buried and cremated’. It should not

Energy is an essential service. Yet there are signs Victoria’s energy retail markets are not operating in consumers’ interests and need reform.