Code amendment - saves and win-backs ban

Upcoming Open Closed Decision

View submissions Submissions closed 3 December 2019

Consultation

It is important that all retailers have an equal opportunity to compete for customers, and that saves and win-backs do not impede efficient competition. To support this goal, we proposed to amend the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) to encourage more retail competition and sought feedback from industry and stakeholders.

The proposed amendment to the Code bans a losing retailer from initiating a save or win-back for 180 days after a customer has switched retailers. It extends the save protection scheme to all retailers.

Such a ban assisted gaining retailers to retain customers that they have acquired, putting losing retailers under more competitive pressure.

The expected benefits of the proposed change include an increase in retail competition and innovation, and lower retail price margins for electricity.