Service NSW to help customers assess electricity deals and switch

Public servants will check household energy bills, find the cheapest deal and help consumers to switch instantly under a new initiative that could save consumers $1000 a year.

PUBLIC servants will check household energy bills, find the cheapest deal and help consumers to switch instantly under a new initiative that could save consumers $1000 a year.

The free service, to be announced in Tuesday’s state budget, puts the resources of Service NSW at the disposal of customers to assess complicated energy contracts offered by the state’s 24 retailers and switch providers with the click of a mouse.

Teachers Simone and Mark Lowndes with sons Daniel, 7 and Cameron, 2, says power is their most expensive bill. Picture: Tim Hunter

Service NSW will then continually search for cheaper deals even after households have changed, so they can access fresh and better offers.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the Australian government first policy is expected to save the typical household $1000 a year and some families much more.

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The state government believes the reforms — which will help customers on both existing and expiring contracts — will lead to a shake-up of the electricity market and put major pressure on the big electricity retailers.

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the reforms will be funded with an initial trial in five locations before a statewide rollout later this year.

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“One Click Energy Switch will not only find you a cheaper energy bill, it will allow you to change your provider with a click of a mouse or a quick chat with our Service NSW staff,” she said.

Service NSW will be able to check for the best deal for individual customers by analysing their usage on their bills. Picture: AAP

The trial sites are Service NSW centres at Wynyard, Lismore, Parramatta, Taree and Wetherill Park.

Finance Minister Victor Dominello said the reforms offered a better service than basic comparison websites.

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“Service NSW will check your usage through your energy bill, search the market for available plans and if you can save money then we will help you change providers,” he said.

“We want NSW customers to feel empowered to drive down the price of their bills by switching to the best deal available and that’s what this initiative will do,” he said.

Government reforms banned retailers in NSW from charging exit fees on most new and existing contracts for electricity customers from January.

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This enables Service NSW to target customers already on contracts, not just those with expiring contracts.

It’s part of a heavy cost of living focus in Tuesday’s Budget.

The Saturday Telegraph has already revealed a planned 40 per cent cut to the cost of caravan registration and a 25 per cent cut and new grace period for parking fines.

Cost of living pressure is one of main focuses of Tuesday’s state Budget. Picture: Tim Hunter

Other major measures include “cost of living” service desks at Service NSW centres to connect households to government assistance and a $220 million boost to policing.

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Electricity is the most expensive household bill for Simone and Mark Lowndes and their children Daniel, 8, and Cameron, 4 — costing nearly $700 a quarter.

Mrs Lowndes says she usually checks electricity deals online but welcomes the new proposal.

“If it works, is more efficient and takes less time then yes I would sign up for the service. It would be a lot easier (to swap providers) they do it on your behalf,” she said.