Electricity and gas customers in NSW are being asked to share their experiences with prices, shopping around, and other issues as part of an independent review of electricity and gas retail markets.
The State’s pricing regulator, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), monitors and reports annually on issues such as prices, competition, and household and small business participation in the NSW retail energy markets.
Tribunal member Jonathan Coppel said IPART wants to hear from stakeholders including households, small businesses, consumer groups, industry associations, retailers and distribution networks so that its report covers the issues that matter most to stakeholders.
“We want to understand whether there are emerging issues in the energy retail markets which are affecting stakeholders or the operation of the market, and how they might be managed,” Mr Coppel said.
“For several years, electricity and gas prices in NSW have risen faster than inflation, and many households and small businesses are facing challenges in paying for essentials, including electricity and gas.
“Competition among retailers is important because, when it is working well, it places downward pressure on prices. However, to ensure they are getting the best deal, consumers need to regularly shop around.”
IPART is also monitoring changes in how households access and consume electricity, including through participation in virtual power plant programs.
“Virtual Power Plants are a connected network of solar and battery systems managed by a central operator where excess power can be sold to the grid,” Mr Coppel said.
“With state and Commonwealth incentives available to help households and small businesses install batteries, we will continue to look at the number of consumers joining virtual power plants and whether they are benefitting from them.
“We will also report on programs that provide incentives for customers to change the timing of when they purchase energy from the grid.”
Submissions to IPART’s Consultation Paper can be made until 1 September 2026. IPART will submit its 2025-26 Energy Market Monitoring Report to the Minister for Energy in November 2026. More information is available on our website.
Media Contact: Mark O’Brien, 0427 105 865, media@ipart.nsw.gov.au.