Door-to-door energy sales to be banned

A BAN on energy retailers using high pressure sales tactics, such as door-to-door sales or cold-calling, will come into effect from this Friday, December 31.

These bans were legislated under the Energy Legislation Amendment (Energy Fairness) Act 2021 and build on the existing door-to-door sales bans for solar businesses under the Solar Homes Program, which came into effect from September 1.

The legislation also bans ‘win back’ and ‘save’ offers, which will incentivise retailers to provide their best offer upfront and reduce underlying energy costs for all Victorians, the state government said.

There are also new criminal penalties of $1 million for retailers who wrongfully disconnect customers knowingly or recklessly or disconnect households in a way that endangers customers on life support equipment.

“By banning harmful and high-pressure sales tactics, we are both protecting vulnerable consumers and incentivising retailers to deliver more proactive, low-cost offers,” Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said.

“I look forward to implementing the remaining reforms as part of the Energy Fairness Plan to make sure we have a fairer and cost competitive energy market for all Victorians.”