VIC Residential Price Changes
Why have my rates increased?
Rates have increased as a result of our ongoing review of our energy prices in Victoria.
Powerdirect may vary charges for Victorian market contract customers by giving the required notice as outlined in your contract terms.
For some customers, this is prior written notice and for others the notice can be on the same bill that the new prices take affect.
Why does my Energy Plan offer have different rates to my neighbours/friends/family member/etc.?
Why am I paying more/less than my neighbour/friend/family member?
We can’t speculate as to why they may be paying different rates. Victoria is a deregulated energy market and therefore there are many different products, rates, features and benefits available from a number of different energy retailers.
It is possible they accepted an energy plan (from Powerdirect or another retailer) when rates were different to what they are today.
It is also possible that they have a different electricity meter installed in their premises. Different meters can have different prices.
Powerdirect tries to ensure that its energy plans remain competitive by regularly reviewing the features, benefits and pricing of each of our different energy plans.
Is Powerdirect the only energy retailer to have a price increase?
Whilst we can’t comment on what our competitors are doing, it may be possible that other energy retailers will also increase their market contract prices to reflect changes in the energy market, including changes to the cost of providing energy in Victoria.
At Powerdirect, our Energy Plans allow for rate changes to be passed through at any time by giving you the required notice outlined in your contract terms.
What do I have to do to ensure that my rates have been updated?
You don’t have to do anything. We will ensure that your rates are updated. The new rates will apply to your energy usage from either 1 January 2010 or 9 January 2010, depending on the terms of your contract.
How will I be notified of the change?
This differs for each customer in line with the terms of their contracts.
Some customers will receive a letter prior to the price increase taking effect and other customers will receive a message on the first bill containing the new prices.
Can I terminate my contract? If so, will I be charged a termination fee?
Whilst we certainly don’t want to see our customers leave us, you may terminate your plan at any time. This may mean that an early termination fee (ETF) applies.
ETFs will be charged for:
- Customers on an Energy Plan with a fixed term contract before the expiry of that contract period.
ETFs will NOT be charged:
- For customers on Deemed, Standing Offer and Torchlight energy plans (who do not have to pay an ETF under the terms of that contract).
I received a bill with rates a lot higher than my previous bill?
Powerdirect’s Energy Plan customers have Offer terms that permit Powerdirect to change prices at any time providing they have received the required notice.
This is in line with the notification period in your Energy Plan terms and conditions.
I just signed with Powerdirect and the rates do not reflect what I signed up to?
We apologise if you have only recently signed up with us and have just received a price increase.
However, Powerdirect’s Energy Plans have terms that permit Powerdirect to change rates at any time after providing the required notice outlined in your contract terms.
When do the new rates apply?
The new rates will apply to your energy usage from either 1 January 2010 or 9 January 2010, depending on the terms of your contract. The new rates will be reflected on your next bill after this date.
What is the average rate increase (in dollars/cents)?
If you received a letter from us, the average increase for your meter type in your area was outlined on the letter.
If you receive notification of the price increase via a message on your bill, you can call us on 1300 307 966 to find out the average increase for your meter type in your area.
What is a Smart Electricity Meter?
A Smart Electricity Meter is an advanced tool to measure your electricity usage.
It has many capabilities that the old types of electricity meters do not have. Smart meters will be able to:
- record electricity consumption by the half hour
- be remotely read so a meter reader does not have to visit your home
- provide greater detail around consumption
- enable remote connection of your electricity, such as when you move to a new address
- help your electricity distribution company to detect and locate outages and restore supply more quickly.
Why do I have to pay for it?
The Victorian State Government has mandated the roll out of the Smart Meter infrastructure. The electricity distribution companies (the companies that own the poles, wires and meters), are incurring costs, and are therefore imposing certain charges relating to the Smart Electricity Meter roll out. These charges are being passed through to consumers by energy retailers such as Powerdirect.
What if I don’t have one?
The meters are being progressively rolled out over the next four years. Regardless of whether you have one yet or not, the charges associated with the roll out are being passed on to customers from the beginning of 2010.
When will I get one?
The roll out will occur progressively over the next four years. As this initiative is being implemented by the distributor companies (the companies that own the poles wires and meters), we have no control over when this will occur for each customer and cannot provide any indication at this time as to when you’ll receive yours.
However, in the weeks before your meter is scheduled to be changed, your distribution company will endeavour to write to you to advise you of the scheduled replacement.
The full functionality of your Smart Electricity Meter may not be available immediately after the meter is installed, as the relevant communication mechanisms will be rolled out independently to the meter roll out.
Will my prices change again when I get a Smart Electricity Meter?
You may be moved onto a different tariff with a different pricing structure once your new Smart Electricity Meter is installed. Powerdirect will advise you of the new tariff details if this happens. | 
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