Australians are filing complaints about utilities companies at a record rate of over 40 per working hour with the national ombudsman, according to the ombudsman’s annual report.
Australians are filing complaints about utilities companies at a record rate of over 40 per working hour with the nation’s utilities ombudsman, according to the ombudsman’s annual report.
The complaints come as prices for electricity and water continue to rise, placing financial stress on low income families struggling to keep up.
“Our complaints clearly point to increasing financial hardship,” said Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association chairwoman Fiona McLeod. “People who may have been coping previously found themselves needing our help, or the help of a financial counsellor, to sort out affordable payment arrangements.
“Now people in jobs, who are not on welfare benefits, are coming to us with problems paying their bills. They often have a lot of shame about putting their hands up to be put into a hardship program.”
Complaints in Western Australia have risen by 96% over the past year, while complaints in Tasmania have risen by 46%, and complaints in New South Wales have risen by 43%.
Electric hot water systems, which are currently the subject of a government phase out, can account for up to 25% of electricity usage in homes. Read more on the costs related to hot water systems.
