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Victoria’s most expensive energy bill locations have been revealed in a new report

Victoria’s energy bill black spots have been revealed, with average households in these areas racking up bills of almost $3800 a year. Here’s how they — and you — can save a packet.

Victorians living in country towns are racking up eye-watering electricity bills.
Victorians living in country towns are racking up eye-watering electricity bills.

A handful of country towns have been named as having the state’s most expensive energy bills, but a new report shows how all Victorian households can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Customers with electricity and gas appliances in Kilmore, Seymour, Violet Town, Nagambie,

Wangaratta, Chiltern and Wodonga, now have average combined bills of $3795 a year.

That is $170 more than it was last year and is based on typical consumption levels — meaning extended periods at home during the pandemic would have pushed costs even higher.

Vinnies’ latest tariff tracker report has found that households are sitting on a potential gold mine if they shop around, however, with savings of up to $420 on electricity if they switch from a default deal to the best market offer.

Those still stuck on gas default offers could save even more — about $1000 a year.

Energy bill costs are mounting up during the pandemic.
Energy bill costs are mounting up during the pandemic.


The social justice charity also reminded Victorians who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis to contact their retailer to lock in a 17.5 per cent discount on energy bills available to anyone on benefits.

Vinnies policy manager Gavin Dufty said the latest tariff tracker shows the gap between a state-regulated Victorian Default Offer and the leading market deals in some areas has grown by $140-190 since last year, mainly due to wholesale prices falling.

This means typical consumption households that switch deals would now save between $365-420, depending on where they live.

Mr Dufty said more cash would be sitting on the table at the moment because households are burning through power.

“The impact of COVID and recent energy price increases will have many people going boggle-eyed at their most recent energy bill and there is no better time to give your bill a spring clean and get those costs down,” he said.

Policy manager at Vinnies, Gavin Dufty, says big savings are waiting for energy users who shop around.
Policy manager at Vinnies, Gavin Dufty, says big savings are waiting for energy users who shop around.

Those in expensive regional areas could see big benefits from solar panels, which attract healthy government subsidies for installations.

The report also shows average annual dual-fuel bills in Melbourne’s south such as on the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston, and in the state’s north in areas such as Shepparton, Echuca and Heathcote, have risen to $3615 based on typical use.

Mr Dufty said this was due mainly to costs to supply households rising, and the combination of two fixed charges — one for gas and one for electricity.

Mr Dufty encouraged households to visit the independent Victorian Energy Compare website to find a better deal.

“Don’t be fooled by the Victorian Default Offer it’s not the best offer by a long shot and companies offering this often have better deals, but don’t expect these deals to come to you, they won’t,” he said.

“Even those who are on market contracts, all offers are not the same, with differences in saving for electricity between $400-$600 and $200-$400 for gas depending upon where you live.”

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matthew.johnston@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorias-most-expensive-energy-bill-locations-have-been-revealed-in-a-new-report/news-story/3c4f2dddb8b55c1194440e2823ad0f8d