Retailers and Distributors

Prior to the breakup of the old State Electricity Commission of Victoria, commonly called the SEC, electricity generation, supply, distribution and sale of electricity was handled by the one organization, the SEC.

Following the breakup and sale of the different areas Victoria entered an era of what is termed Retail Contestability. This sees the various sectors of generation supply, distribution and sale handled by separate and distinct businesses.

In very simple terms the sale of electricity to consumers in a free market sees the consumer, whether they are an individual or business dealing with what are referred to as Electricity Retailers. These are the organizations that provide you with your account every two months. Consumers enter into individual contracts with their retailer for the sale of electricity. In Victoria there are approximately 19 electricity retailers selling into the market.

The distribution of power, simply put as the poles and wires, is handled by the distribution companies, each responsible for a specific geographic area, unlike the retailers who can deal with customers across all areas.

With the introduction of Full Retail Contestability, contractors now have to deal with both retailers and distribution companies in the process of connections and associated matters.

The government has provided specific guidelines in relation to the maximum amount of time both the retailer and distributor have to complete the processing of work requests. It also

The system can be either simple or time consuming, depending on a number of independent factors. These include the type of work required, the accuracy of the information supplied to the retailer and distribution businesses and the availability of information as to who the “customer” of the retailer is. This latter point is always relevant when the contractor is working in a sub contract situation. For example where a builder is carrying out work for a real estate agent who acts on behalf of the owner who has a tenant in the building. The “customer of the electricity retailer is actually the tenant, where the customer of the contractor is the builder.

This section provides information on the processes, the key organizations and other relevant information for the contractor.

Click here to view processes and contacts