From the CEO: October 2026

This message first appeared in our October 2026 newsletter. To stay up to date with the latest news and research on energy issues that impact consumers, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter below.

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One of the traps of energy policy is to imagine a consumer who has the time, money, and freedom to make all the 'right' choices.

Someone who regularly compares energy plans, invests in efficient equipment, installs solar, and shifts their electricity use to cheaper times.

There may be one or two of these mythical people around. But I'd wager few of them run a small business.

At our recent Small Business Energy Roundtable in Canberra, we heard about butchers who can't simply turn off their refrigeration when electricity gets expensive, and dairy farmers whose milking schedules don't conveniently align with the sun shining. We heard about local grocers facing power outages that cost them thousands in lost stock and income, and commercial tenants who have little say over the energy efficiency of their premises or whether they can install solar.

These aren't unusual circumstances. They reflect the enormous diversity of Australia's small businesses and the very real constraints they face.

Of course, none of this means small businesses can't benefit from the energy transition. Quite the opposite. But we need to think much harder about how those benefits can be shared. And that starts with listening to small businesses about what they need, want and value.

Our latest Small Business Energy Survey found that more than half of small businesses lease their premises, while only 37% have full control over improvements like installing solar. Meanwhile, ACCC research shows that small businesses on older energy plans pay an average of $554 more each year.

There's something fundamentally wrong with a system that penalises businesses for lacking the time, resources, or ability to make the 'right' decisions.

And the consequences extend well beyond energy bills. Small businesses employ millions of Australians, provide essential goods and services, and form the backbone of communities across the country. When they struggle, we all feel the effects.

This is why our work with COSBOA to develop a Small Business Energy Blueprint is so important. One outcome we're advocating for is the introduction of a consumer duty, which would shift responsibility back onto energy providers to deliver fair outcomes, rather than leaving businesses to navigate an increasingly complex market alone. We also want businesses to have the practical support they need to benefit from the transition.

Ultimately, the success of the energy transition shouldn't depend on every small business becoming an energy expert. It should depend on building an energy system that works for them.