We welcome the NSW Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)'s proposed reforms to retail electricity tariffs as an important step in strengthening consumer protections as smart meters are rolled out.
As retail tariff structures become more complex, it is critical that changes support informed choice and protect consumers from being exposed to price signals they can't reasonably respond to.
Our submission focuses on ensuring retail tariff reform delivers fair and equitable outcomes for all households and small businesses, not just those with the time, flexibility or technology to actively manage their energy use. It recommends:
- Making explicit informed consent a permanent requirement before consumers are placed on demand or other time-varying tariffs, recognising that the fundamental conditions for informed choice do not diminish over time
- Introducing a one-year moratorium following smart meter installation, during which retailers can't proactively steer consumers onto time-varying tariffs, allowing time to establish a reliable baseline of actual energy use
- Requiring retailers to offer flat-rate tariffs on an ongoing basis, ensuring consumers who cannot, or do not wish to, actively manage their energy use retain a simple and predictable option
- Supporting flat-rate tariffs with pricing principles to ensure they provide meaningful protection and value
Download the submission (PDF, 268.99KB) to read more.
Page last updated:
26 February 2026
