On Monday, 16 June 2025, we launched Rank the Energy Retailer 2025 — a report shaped by the insights of over 400 financial counsellors from across the country. The findings offer a compelling, on-the-ground snapshot of how energy retailers are performing when it comes to supporting people in hardship — and, importantly, where improvement is urgently needed.
This national project was coordinated by Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) in partnership with Energy Consumers Australia, Financial Counselling Australia, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre, with the support of every state and territory’s financial counselling peak body. We’re deeply grateful to the many financial counsellors who contributed their expertise and time to help build a clearer picture of what clients are experiencing.
You can explore the full report — and read more about the project’s findings, methodology and media coverage — on our dedicated webpage:
fcvic.org.au/rank-the-energy-retailer-2025
The project was funded by Energy Consumers Australia as part of its Grants Program to support consumer advocacy and research that benefits households and small businesses. The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect those of Energy Consumers Australia.
A Dynamic and Collaborative Launch
We were thrilled to see such strong engagement at our hybrid launch event, with over 50 participants joining us in person and more than 110 online. The event brought together financial counsellors, advocates, industry representatives and regulators for a frank and insightful conversation about energy hardship.
Sincere thanks to our speakers and panellists, who brought expertise, openness and challenge to the discussion:
- Marianne Campbell, Senior Research and Engagement Advisor, Consumer Policy Research Centre
- Sarah Duane, Financial Counsellor, Westjustice
- Natalie Elkins, General Manager, Market Performance, Australian Energy Regulator
- Louisa Kinnear, CEO, Australian Energy Council
- Dr Domenique Meyrick, co-CEO, Financial Counselling Australia
- Dr Brendan French, CEO, Energy Consumers Australia
- And the panel discussion was facilitated by our CEO, Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope.
If you missed the event, the full recording is available here:
Watch the launch
Helping to Spark Broader Conversations
We were pleased to see the report gain national media attention, with ABC News covering the findings and speaking directly to those working on the frontline. Financial counsellor Sarah Duane spoke to ABC News Radio and FCVic CEO Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope appeared on ABC News to discuss the findings and the stories behind the data.
Read the ABC article:
Energy retailers ranked by financial counsellors in new report
And watch FCVic CEO Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope on ABC News that afternoon:
Looking Ahead
Since the launch, many of the retailers named in the report have reached out to engage in deeper conversations — a positive sign that these insights are being taken seriously. We hope the report helps prompt real changes in policy, process and culture — and we look forward to continuing to work with industry, regulators and financial counsellors to make that change happen.
