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SA power users face shocking electricity price surge

South Australians who can least afford it will bear the brunt of proposed electricity price rises, according to the State’s peak advocacy body for the non-government health and community services sector, SACOSS.  
 
Today’s draft Default Market Offer from the Australian Energy Regulator projects power prices to rise by up to 22% in SA from 1 July. The AER offer is a reference price for future household and small business electricity prices across SA, NSW and south-east Queensland, with the AER undertaking further consultation before issuing a final determination in May. 
 
According to AER data, South Australia continues to perform poorly at a national level in many categories. In the last three months (Oct to Dec 2022): 

  • An additional 604 South Australian households went on payment plans. SA has the highest rate of customers on payment plans in mainland Australia.
  • An additional 1079 SA households entered energy hardship. SA has the most hardship customers in Australia.
  • An additional 2097 SA households began repaying energy debt. With an average debt of $1242, South Australians continue to have the largest average debt in the National Electricity Market, 27% above the national average of $972. This includes the 1079 SA households on a hardship program which have an average debt of $2458, or more than double the average debt compared to other households (and is also 25% above the national average debt of $1846).
  • 891 SA households had their power disconnected (with only just over half of those having their power reconnected within seven days). 

Quotes attributable to SACOSS CEO Ross Womersley: 
 
“The Australian Energy Regulator’s draft Default Market Offer transmits the signal that South Australians – particularly those living in hardship – will find it tougher and tougher to afford their energy. 
 
“This pain would be worse if the Federal Government had not intervened last year to cap oil and coal prices. Ultimately energy prices continue to rise, and this means South Australians will continue to spend more of their budgets on ensuring they have an essential service. 
 
“The impact of ongoing rising energy costs is felt most acutely by those South Australians who can least afford it. For every additional household that enters hardship status or payment plans, or is disconnected for being unable to meet their payments, that represents hundreds and hundreds of South Australians facing a reckoning around the supply of a service that they simply cannot be without. 
 
“There are steps that could be taken to help low-income South Australian households with their energy bills, and we continue our call for State and Federal Government assistance in helping low-income households reduce their electricity demands and increasing their energy efficiency.

“We continue to call on the South Australian Government to change its energy concession to be percentage-based so that it is more flexible for more South Australians in times like these, when energy costs and the overall cost of living continue to rise.”  

SACOSS logo

08 8305 4222

sacoss@sacoss.org.au

Marjorie Black House
47 King William Road Unley SA 5061

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SACOSS acknowledges the traditional owners of unceded country throughout South Australia, and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and culture. We recognise the sovereignty and cultural authority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and pay our respect to elders both past and present.

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.

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