If you experience difficulty paying your electricity account, it is important to contact your electricity retailer as soon as possible. Your electricity retailer may have payment options available to help manage your electricity accounts.
If you receive a Centrelink payment, you may be able to use Centrepay. This is a bill-paying service available through Centrelink. Check with your electricity retailer if Centrepay is available for your account. If it is not available, your electricity retailer may have alternative payment methods to help you to manage your electricity costs, such as a payment instalment plan.
If you are experiencing difficulties paying an electricity account and are at risk of disconnection, you may be able to apply for the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme. This is one-off emergency assistance to low income households who are unable to pay their current electricity account due to a short-term financial crisis (within the past 12 months). You must apply for this assistance through your electricity retailer.
Make sure you contact your electricity retailer as soon as possible if you are experiencing any difficulty paying your account or if you would like more information on the payment options available.
Maintain your electricity connection
The Fire and Rescue Act 1990 requires tenants to make sure their smoke alarms are always operating. Therefore, you must maintain the electricity supply to your property to make sure your smoke alarms always work.
All departmental properties have smoke alarms connected to the household's electricity and backed up by a long-life lithium battery. These batteries are designed to operate your smoke alarm during interruptions to your electricity supply, for example, during a temporary black-out.
The department may take action if you fail to keep your electricity connection during your tenancy.
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