When can a retailer issue a back-bill?
There are a few different scenarios where you may receive a back-bill:
You moved into a new property but did not set up a new supply agreement at that time, so you consumed energy without a contract in place
Your current retailer has had issues with their billing system
Your previous bill(s) were based on estimated usage, which proved to be less than what you actually used
there was an error in a previous bill, or it was based on an incorrect meter reading
What if I don't have a supply agreement?
If you've moved to a new property, and did not set up a new energy supply account with a new retailer, then any energy consumed without an agreement in place will fall under a 'Deemed Contract' with the retailer previously serving that property.
Deemed contract arrangements are governed under Division 8 of the National Energy Retail Rules. When the financially responsible retailer becomes aware of energy being consumed under a deemed contract, it must provide information about:
The retailer's contact information;
Details of the prices, terms and conditions applicable to the sale of energy to the premises concerned under the deemed customer retail arrangement;
The customer's options for establishing a customer retail contract (including the availability of a standing offer);
The consequences for the customer if the customer does not enter into a customer retail contract (whether with that or another retailer), including the entitlement of the retailer to arrange for the de-energisation of the premises and details of the process for de-energisation.
This means that the retailer can still bill you for your usage, under the Deemed Contract terms, even though you did not specifically enter an agreement with them at all. If you do not set up a supply agreement with a retailer, and if the current retailer remains the 'financially responsible' retailer, they ultimately are able to disconnect the energy supply to the premises.
Deemed Contracts will be priced at the prevailing Default Offer rates for your location - this will mean that if and when the back bill arrives, it will be priced at higher rates than what you could have accessed under a market contract.
What are the limits on back-billing?
Retailers can issue back-bills, to a maximum of 4 months in Victoria, or 9 months in NSW. These limits apply if the need for back-billing is the fault of the retailer. If it's your own fault—for example, if you've refused access to your property for meter reading—then these time constraints may not apply.
If they issue a back-bill, they must offer a payment period equivalent to the duration of the back-bill period, and they can not charge interest on the back-billed amount.
Where can I go for more information and help?
Your state-based Ombudsman can provide additional information and assistance if you receive a back-bill from a retailer.
State | Ombudsman | Link |
NSW | EWON - Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW | |
VIC | EWOV - Energy & Water Ombudsman Victoria | |
QLD | EWOQ - Energy & Water Ombudsman Queensland | |
SA | EWOSA - Energy & Water Ombudsman South Australia | |
TAS | EOT - Energy Ombudsman Tasmania |