Millions of Australians are asking electricity retailers for help with their bills or expect do so shortly, in the latest indication of the worsening economic hardship inflicted by coronavirus.
As the nation’s jobless rate passes 7 per cent and workers face reduced hours, the Australian Energy Regulator said 94,000 customers had been accepted for payment plans up to the end of March, excluding Victoria, which has different reporting arrangements, and more than 1000 customers were seeking assistance each week.
Millions of Australians are contacting their electricity retailers seeking assistance with bill payments as the coronavirus downturn impacts the economy. Credit:Jamie Davies
New research provided to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age suggests the problem could become even more acute, with one in five Australian households expecting to contact their retailers seeking bill relief in the near future.
Energy Consumers Australia, the peak body for electricity bill payers, said a survey of 1000 energy customers, conducted in June by Essential Research, showed 20 per cent of electricity bill payers had already contacted their retailer for help with their bills and 21 per cent expected they would have to soon.
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