Question 4: Claiming concessions Clean Energy Council Stakeholders agreed that customers who were entitled to We note that in some but not all jurisdictions exempt customers receive government energy concessions should receive them. are able to claim energy concessions and rebates themselves. To Associated Residential Many supported the AER’s proposal to require exempt sellers ensure exempt customers receive their entitlements in jurisdictions Parks Queensland to concessions or rebates on behalf of exempt customers. that do not, we propose amending the Guideline to mandate the Crowe Some did not, in particular park owners, who argued that claiming of government rebates on behalf of exempt customers. mandatory collection of rebates would be unfair for small The requirement will apply where an exempt customer is entitled Queensland Council of businesses. ARPQ noted that most residential park owners to an energy rebate or concession but it can only be claimed by Social Services already claimed the rebate. the account holder. Brisbane Gateway There were differing views on who should bear the The AER acknowledges customers may not be of their Resort administrative costs of claiming rebates, and on how rebates entitlements, however as concession schemes are administered Caravan and Camping should be applied. CCIANSW stated that the seller should be by state and territory governments, customer education may be Industry Association able to recover the administrative cost of claiming the rebate more appropriately managed at a state and territory level. (CCIA) NSW on behalf of customers, while CUAC stated they should not. AGL also argued that the exempt seller should be able to EnergyAustralia apply the rebate directly to the customer’s account. Origin Energy Park owners, and a number of stakeholders, were in Shopping Centre favour of introducing arrangements whereby customers could Council of Australia claim concessions directly. AGL Several stakeholders expressed concern customers’ awareness of rebate schemes and their eligibility, and energy Networks suggested that steps be taken to better educate customers. Association Consumer Action Law Centre Simply Energy
Question 4: Claiming concessions Clean Energy Council Associated Residential Parks Queensland Crowe Queensland Council of Social Services Brisbane Gateway Resort Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) NSW EnergyAustralia Origin Energy Shopping Centre Council of Australia AGL energy Networks Association Consumer Action Law Centre Simply Energy Stakeholders agreed that customers who were entitled to receive government energy concessions should receive them. Many supported the AER’s proposal to require exempt sellers to concessions or rebates on behalf of exempt customers. Some did not, in particular park owners, who argued that mandatory collection of rebates would be unfair for small businesses. ARPQ noted that most residential park owners already claimed the rebate. There were differing views on who should bear the administrative costs of claiming rebates, and on how rebates should be applied. CCIANSW stated that the seller should be able to recover the administrative cost of claiming the rebate on behalf of customers, while CUAC stated they should not. AGL also argued that the exempt seller should be able to apply the rebate directly to the customer’s account. Park owners, and a number of stakeholders, were in favour of introducing arrangements whereby customers could claim concessions directly. Several stakeholders expressed concern customers’ awareness of rebate schemes and their eligibility, and suggested that steps be taken to better educate customers. We note that in some but not all jurisdictions exempt customers are able to claim energy concessions and rebates themselves. To ensure exempt customers receive their entitlements in jurisdictions that do not, we propose amending the Guideline to mandate the claiming of government rebates on behalf of exempt customers. The requirement will apply where an exempt customer is entitled to an energy rebate or concession but it can only be claimed by the account holder. The AER acknowledges customers may not be of their entitlements, however as concession schemes are administered by state and territory governments, customer education may be more appropriately managed at a state and territory level.
Notice%20of%20Final%20Instrument%20-%20Revised%20AER%20Retail%20Exempt%20Selling%20Guideline%20-%20March%202016.docx