Energy & Water Ombudsman SA - EWOSA

27/02/2026

Smart meters are being rolled out more quickly across Australia, with most homes and small businesses expected to have one by 2030.

You don’t need to take action right now – your provider will contact you if a replacement is planned. For most households, the upgrade will be a simple swap that takes about an hour.

Importantly, new consumer protections are also being strengthened. For two years after installation of a new smart meter, providers must get your clear consent before switching you to a different tariff.

If you have concerns you can’t resolve with your provider, EWOSA is here to help. ✅

Read more about the smart meter rollout 👉

The rollout of smart meters is now accelerating across South Australia, following rule changes that require all homes and small businesses to have a smart…

24/02/2026

Did you know that around a quarter of household water use happens outdoors – in gardens, lawns and pools?

Making small changes outside your home can help reduce water use without sacrificing your garden. 🌱

A few practical tips to keep in mind:
✅ Water gardens early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation.
✅ Let lawns grow a little longer in summer to help protect soil and retain moisture.
✅ Cover pools when not in use to limit water loss.
✅ Use mulch and choose native plants to help gardens stay healthy with less watering.

More water-saving tips? SA Water has some great resources: https://sbrew.link/oQeeVmfs

19/02/2026

Complaints about unexpectedly high bills make up around 17% of our caseload – more than any other issue.

We know energy and water bills can be confusing, and it’s not always obvious why a bill is higher than expected. That’s why we’ve developed fact sheets to help you work through a high bill and rule out some common causes.

Take a look here:

High energy bills 👉 https://sbrew.link/lOKWQGv2
High water bills 👉 https://sbrew.link/L4OhnlC4

16/02/2026

We love getting feedback like this – it shows that people value being listened to and taken seriously.

Our team is here to support South Australian energy and water customers resolve issues swiftly and fairly.

👉 Need support? Visit ewosa.com.au

13/02/2026

Curious about how Australia’s energy market is changing – and what it means for your household? ⚡💧

Our latest quarterly newsletter shares updates from the frontline of the energy transition.

In this issue:
💡Proposed changes to electricity pricing rules aimed at fairer outcomes for all consumers
💡Updates to retail energy guidelines to improve transparency and support for people doing it tough
💡Practical tips to save energy and water this summer
💡How smart home technology can help cut electricity use

Read it now 👉 https://sbrew.link/8JlXyW7S
Subscribe to stay up to date 📩 https://sbrew.link/MziW8CUX

In this edition: Increasing complexity in the energy market is confusing consumers and prompting proposals for additional funding to upgrade Energy Made…

09/02/2026

Worried about getting a high energy bill after summer?

One simple habit can help: getting familiar with your daily energy use. By checking past bills for your average daily kWh, and keeping an eye on how many kilowatt hours you’re using DURING the billing cycle, you can spot changes early and avoid surprises.

Learn more about high energy bills in our new fact sheet 👉 https://sbrew.link/ID1LoKan

22/01/2026

💸 You may notice your energy bills are higher this year.

The Federal Government’s $75 per quarter Energy Bill Relief payment ended at the end of 2025. This rebate was applied automatically to electricity bills in July and October, and often appeared as “Aus Gov Energy Relief” (or similar) in the “Understand your bill” section.

While that support has ended, South Australians on low or fixed incomes may still be eligible for the Energy Concession.

To be eligible, you generally need to:
✅ Live at the property
✅ Have the energy account in your name
✅ Hold an eligible concession card or receive an eligible Centrelink payment

Learn more or check your eligibility at Concessions SA 👉 https://buff.ly/2Nbsvlf

Human Services SA

Information about the energy concession available to residents and asylum seekers in South Australia.

20/01/2026

Have you heard of REPS? The Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) is a South Australian Government initiative that helps households and businesses reduce their energy costs.

You may be eligible for discounted or free energy-saving upgrades, including:
✅ Energy-efficient lighting
✅ Water-saving showerheads
✅ Hot water or air conditioner upgrades
✅ Energy-efficient appliances like fridges, freezers, and dryers

All South Australian households can take part, but if you’re a Priority Group Household (such as concession card holders or people on a hardship program), you may be eligible for extra discounts and offers.

To find a REPS provider, visit escosa.sa.gov.au, where you’ll find a list of energy retailers required to offer REPS in SA, along with their third-party contractors.

When you call a REPS provider, ask:
❓ “What activities do you offer under the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme in South Australia?”
❓ “Am I eligible to receive that?”

Anyone can contact any of the REPS-obliged retailers or contractors — no matter who your energy retailer is. Different providers offer different services, so it’s worth contacting more than one to see what’s available for your home or business!

16/01/2026

For years Jung-hee* had been getting the Medical Heating and Cooling Concession (and other rebates) to help with her household energy bills. But one day, her provider stopped applying those rebates to her bills.

She didn’t notice this until she moved house and closed her old account. When she asked about it, her provider said they couldn’t apply the missed rebates to her final bill.

When she started getting debt collection threats, she lodged a complaint with EWOSA.

We worked with Jung-hee, her energy provider, and Concessions SA to figure out what was going on. Turns out, the provider believed her to be ineligible for the rebates because of missed communication with the Department of Human Services.

We confirmed that Jung-hee was eligible and informed her energy provider, who promptly credited the $1,800 in missed rebates to her accounts.

💡 Got a problem with your energy or water provider that you can't resolve directly with them? Call us on 1800 665 565—we're here to help.

*Names have been changed

13/01/2026

Summer heat can make homes uncomfortable – and for many people, unsafe.

The Australian Council of Social Service is running its Heat in Homes Survey to better understand what it’s like for people struggling to stay cool during summer.

Your experience matters. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and the results will be used by ACOSS to advocate for policies that help communities cope with extreme heat in the home.

Take the Heat in Homes survey ➡️ https://buff.ly/r19RhTe

01/01/2026

Unplanned interruptions to your electricity can happen for all sorts of reasons: heatwaves, storms, equipment faults, or even curious animals.

If the power goes out, your distributor must work to restore supply as quickly as possible. They’re also required to:
✅ Tell you when and where the outage happened
✅ Give an estimate for when supply will be back
✅ Provide this info within 30 minutes
✅ Make it available through a 24/7 phone number on their website

If your supply is interrupted, call your distributor or check their website. You’ll find their contact details on your bill or through your provider.

Read our fact sheet for more information ➡️ https://buff.ly/bEos6SU