National Customer Code for Energy Brokers, Consultants and Retailers

The National Customer Code for Energy Brokers, Consultants and Retailers aims to give large customers confidence that Signatories are working together in their best interests and delivering value to them. The Customer Code will also address some of the concerns about third party intermediaries’ selling practices raised in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Report 2018.

NEWS

May 2022 News Update – In this news update, you will find an update about our refreshed Customer Code Council for 2022 and information about our recent roundtable event.

WHAT'S ON?

Lunch & Learn (March 2023) With uncertainty around energy prices, challenges securing forward contracts etc, the motivation for a business to see solar as an option has never looked more attractive. View our expert panel – Alan Gill, Phil Gannon, Vaughan Furniss and Manfred Fahr and Anthony Cooper.

RESOURCES

Commercial & Industrial Customer Procurement Checklist

2023 Checklist for procuring a new large energy contract

This checklist provides information to help you with your decision-making.

Sign up to the National Customer Code

Signing up to the National Customer Code is voluntary. Download the application form here.

To sign up, get in touch with the Independent Code Administrator, Anne Whitehouse.

“When we joined the Customer Code, we met with all our retailer partners to seek and give feedback. Whilst we have always appreciated our partnerships, our communication with them has never been so fluid. This has allowed us to resolve customer challenges faster. Putting the customer at the centre of everything we strive to achieve at the Code has been our consistent focus, so this efficiency gain certainly aligns to our objectives.”
Alan Gill,
Choice Energy

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How does it work?

The Customer Code is voluntary, and all energy brokers, consultants and retailers are welcome to sign up. In signing up to the Customer Code, they are committing to:

  1. Customer centricity – putting customers at the centre of their business and making decisions based on what is in the customers’ best interests
  2. Transparency – providing clear, accurate and relevant information to help customers make informed choices
  3. Fit for purpose – ensuring that products and services are responsible, accurate and meet customer expectations
  4. Accountability – being responsive to customer needs and taking prompt, appropriate action if a customer makes a complaint to ensure continuous improvement

Anne Whitehouse is the current Independent Administrator of the Customer Code and runs the day-to-day activities. The Customer Code is overseen by the Customer Code Council made up of representatives of energy brokers, consultants, retailers and customers.

What’s the customer benefit?

If you’re a large customer of an energy broker or consultant, then the Customer Code provides you with more confidence and peace of mind that your energy broker, consultant and retailer are:

  • Putting you at the centre of what they do
  • Acting in your best interests with honesty and integrity
  • Committing to being knowledgeable, transparent and professional
  • Providing you with fit-for-purpose advice based on accurate and complete information
  • Meeting industry best practice standards
  • Understanding the energy market and with the requisite knowledge to help you
  • Growing trust and reputation across the industry
  • Collaborating across the energy industry to work better together

Who should sign up?

Signing up the Customer Code is voluntary. The more signatories, the better for customers and growing trust and reputation in the industry. If you’re an energy broker, consultant or retailer, the benefits of the Customer Code may include:

  • Differentiating yourself by publicly committing to “doing the right thing by your customers”
  • Demonstrating practically that you are working in the best interests of your customers
  • Increasing your accountability to customers and partners to do the right thing
  • Ensuring best practice within your business
  • Improving your reputation and standing
  • Lifting the standards of the industry to meet customer and community expectations
  • Being part of a cohort who are aligned in their values and having a voice to call out actions which go against the principles of the Code
  • Networking with other signatories, partners and supporters
  • Access to customers’ insights and consistent customer facing information
  • An opportunity to shape the future of the market

Current Signatories

Customer Code Council

The Customer Code is governed by the Customer Code Council (CCC) and administered by Anne Whitehouse, CEO of Sales Assured Limited. The CCC is made up of:

  • John Smith, National Customer Code Council (Independent Chair)
  • Anne Whitehouse, Sales Assured Limited (Administrator)
  • Sabiene Heindl, Energy Charter (Observer)
  • Adam Bronks, Energy Marketplace (Broker)
  • Darrin Crompton, CS Energy (Retailer)
  • Andrew Randall,
  • Sharon Musker, Wise Up Energy Solutions (Consultant)
  • Nick Giles, EnergyAustralia (Retailer)
  • Kate Turner, Edge 2020 & Edge Utilities (Broker)
  • Nancy Katsimberis, Australian Utilities (Consultant)
  • Patricia Paech, Renewable Energy Hub (Consultant)
  • April McBride, Zembl (Broker)
  • Emily Wood, EUAA (Customer representative)
  • Anthony Cooper (Customer representative)