Small Business Energy Roundtable 2025

In August 2025, leaders from small business peak bodies across discussed a range of small business energy issues and opportunities, at a roundtable event chaired by The Hon. Josh Wilson MP (Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy), and Dr Michael Schaper (Chair, Energy Consumers Australia).

What was covered: key energy themes for small business

Empowering small business

• Small businesses have limited bargaining power, and limited capacity, while existing comparison tools have limited use in energy decision-making
• More customer journey mapping needs to be done to identify decision triggers where support could be best provided, and develop more effective advice and tools for small businesses

Pricing reform

• Industry, regulators and government need to understand limits small businesses face when it comes to adapting energy use to suit time-of-use or demand tariffs
• A range of energy transition costs are being loaded onto energy bills, driving up prices for small businesses (e.g. costs associated with mitigating risks from extreme weather and climate change driving up network bills)

Consumer protections for small businesses

• Consumer protections for small businesses vary between States and Territories, which can add unnecessary complexity and confusion, complicating the ability of small business advisors to provide consistent advice.

Navigating the energy transition

• For some small businesses, electrifying their business has a high upfront cost (e.g. $100K+ to rewire and upgrade premises), while at the same time, small business owners are being asked to do this at home
• Targeted assistance is needed for small businesses who operate in:
  • Energy intensive sectors, where their energy consumption is locking them out of small business protections
  • Rural or regional areas, where they may be facing reliability and security challenges influenced by extreme weather events
• The Commonwealth government plays a key role in the energy transition, to ensure a clear and unified vision, and coherence across jurisdictions

Understanding small business: what's needed

Overall, there was consensus that decision-makers need to better understand the needs, values and preferences of small business in relation to energy. While energy might not be a #1 priority for small business, it is a significant consideration, particularly in terms of cost implications.

The energy transition is asking a lot of small businesses, requiring investment in equipment, premises, and/or energy bills. Targeted advice and assistance is needed to help all small businesses navigate the energy transition with ease, particularly given competing demands on their time and budget.

What's next

Minister Wilson has agreed to co-host further Roundtables in 2026. Where there is potential for further collaboration via our 3-Year Plan, Energy Consumers Australia will be working with roundtable participants, including to seek their input to the Small Business survey we will publish in 2026.

For more information about this work, contact Kerry Connors (General Manager, Community at Energy Consumers Australia).

Email Kerry for more information