Overview
In response to the challenges faced by some households in meeting the cost of energy, the State Government established the Tariff and Concession Framework (TCF) Review. The TCF Review is a partnership between the Office of Energy and the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS).
The TCF Review will investigate ways to ensure that electricity used for essential services remains affordable for all Western Australians. Essential uses of energy include space and water heating, lighting, cooking and refrigeration.
Options to be considered by the TCF Review include the potential for alternative tariff and concession structures. Options will be assessed in terms of their capacity to:
- improve the affordability of electricity used for essential services;
- equitably allocate electricity system and other supply costs;
- promote energy efficiency;
- reduce demand for electricity during peak periods;
- provide targeted assistance to those that most require it; and
- allow for the efficient and full recovery of the cost of supplying electricity.
Specific tariff structures to be examined include Inclining Block Tariffs (IBTs), where the price of electricity increases with consumption and IBTs with a Time of Use component. Issues to be considered in the assessment of alternative tariff structures include the way in which they are administered, targeted and accessed.
To support the work of the TCF Review, the Office of Energy will commission a large survey of households in mid 2011, examining the relationships between various household characteristics and energy consumption. The survey will cover both metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
Public consultation, including community consultation forums and the release of an issues paper for public comment, will be an important part of the TCF Review and will inform advice to the Minister for Energy. Initial advice on the TCF Review is expected to be provided to the Minister for Energy in August 2011.
Issues Paper
The TCF Review Issues Paper submission period has now closed (Friday, 15 July 2011). Thank you to all participants. Submissions will be available online shortly.
Download the Tariff and Concession Framework Review Issues Paper»
Download the Tariff and Concession Framework Review Summary Issues Paper»
Community consultation forums
The following public forums were conducted between April and May to gather feedback on the matters concerning Western Australia’s residential electricity tariff and concession framework.
Note: The summary notes represent the views of session participants, not the Office of Energy or the State Government.
View the Tariff and Concession Framework Review Community consultation presentation.
Thank you to those who have shared their experiences and views at the forums.
More information
For more information on the Tariff and Concession Framework Review and WACOSS’ role in it, please contact Aditi Varma, Senior Policy Officer (Essential Services) at aditi@wacoss.org.au or 9420 7222.