Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Electricity Industry Act 2000 - SECT 43

Financial hardship policies

43. Financial hardship policies



(1) A licence to sell electricity is deemed to include a condition requiring
the licensee to prepare a policy complying with this section to deal with
domestic customers experiencing financial hardship and to submit it for
approval to-

   (a)  the Minister, if required to do so under section 46, within the period
        specified in the notice under that section; and

   (b)  the Commission by 31 March 2007.

(2) A financial hardship policy submitted under subsection (1) must include-

   (a)  flexible payment options for payment of electricity bills; and

   (b)  provision for the auditing of a domestic customer's electricity usage
        (whether wholly or partly at the expense of the licensee); and

   (c)  flexible options for the purchase or supply of replacement electrical
        equipment designed for domestic use from the licensee or a third party
        nominated by the licensee; and

   (d)  processes for the early response by both licensees and domestic
        customers to electricity bill payment difficulties.

(3) A licence to sell electricity is deemed to include a condition requiring
the licensee to implement an approved financial hardship policy by the date
specified in the approved financial hardship policy.

(4) A term or condition in a contract for the supply or sale of electricity by
a licensee to a domestic customer is void to the extent that it is
inconsistent with the approved financial hardship policy of the licensee.