Your choices
Will I get a retail offer?
Energy retailers - not the Government - will decide which areas and customers they will target.
Because south-east Queensland is the largest, most commercially-attractive market for electricity retailers, it is expected that customers living outside south-east Queensland may not receive new retail offers initially.
As new energy companies become established in the Queensland market, this may change, and you may be offered a package of products and services from a new retailer in the future.
When can I choose?
You can sign a contract with a retailer right now if you wish, but any contract will not take effect until competition officially starts on 1 July 2007. Some retailers are likely to advertise and may contact you before 1 July keen to win your business.
A 10 business-day cooling-off period applies to all electricity and gas contracts from the date you sign.
However, if you sign a contract before 1 July 2007, the cooling-off period starts from 1 July and expires 10 business days later. During the cooling-off period you can cancel the contract if you change your mind, without incurring any penalties.
Do I have to choose?
No. You can do nothing. There is no hurry or reason to make the change if you don’t want to. If you stay as you are, you can always change later.
If you are happy with your present electricity or natural gas retailer, you can stay with them. Simply do nothing and you will continue to receive your electricity supply under a standard retail contract at the Government-set electricity price, just as you do now. You can also ask your present retailer if they have any new offers that might better suit your needs.
Your options
You can:
- stay with your current retailer on the standard electricity price set by the Government;
- ask your current retailer about any new deal they may be offering;
- compare offers from new retailers and choose a deal that better suits your needs.
There is no deadline or pressure to decide. If you stay as you are, the opportunity will always remain open to you to change later.
Important things to check!
When comparing retail offers, make sure you check
- the details of any package prices or rates at which electricity will be charged (compare them to what you are paying now)
- how much electricity and/or gas you currently use
- what is included in the package price
- how and when you will be billed
- how and when you must pay
- any penalties for early termination of the contract
- any fees and charges including minimum charges, late payment fees, etc.
Licensed electricity retailers
Only electricity retailers licensed by the Queensland Government will be able to sell electricity to you. Click here for a list of licensed electricity retailers.
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