The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is seeking your feedback on proposed changes to energy rules that could affect Victorian small businesses and businesses with multiple locations.

There are 2 proposed changes:

• Allowing businesses with multiple sites to combine their electricity or gas usage when participating in energy markets.
• Reviewing the electricity consumption threshold used to define small business energy customers in Victoria.

Currently, businesses that operate across more than one site cannot combine their electricity or gas usage when buying energy.

This can make it harder for some businesses to access energy plans and services that may better suit their needs. It may also mean they are paying more for energy than necessary.

Under the current rules, businesses with at least one small site (using less than 40 megawatt hours of electricity per year or 1,000 gigajoules of gas per year) are classified as small customers for that site.

These businesses can access important consumer protections and may be eligible for the Victorian Default Offer, which is a simple, regulated electricity price.

However, some businesses with multiple sites may prefer the option to combine their energy use across all locations. Doing so could provide access to different energy purchasing options, although they would no longer be eligible for certain protections available to small business customers.

DEECA is also reviewing the electricity consumption threshold that determines whether a business is considered a small energy customer. Victoria's current threshold is lower than those used in some other states, such as New South Wales and Queensland, and may no longer reflect the needs of businesses as more make the switch to electric appliances.

Consultation open until Friday 7 August 2026

Businesses, industry groups and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed energy reforms.

We want to hear your views on 2 proposed reforms:

• Allowing businesses with multiple sites to combine their electricity or gas usage when participating in energy markets.
• Reviewing the electricity consumption threshold used to define small business energy customers in Victoria.

We want to better understand how the changes could benefit businesses, while ensuring important protections for small business energy customers are maintained.

Your feedback will help shape future energy policy in Victoria.

For more information and to share your feedback, visit Engage Victoria. 

Submissions close at 11:59 pm Friday 7 August 2026.

If you would like to discuss your feedback directly with DEECA during the consultation period, email energyretail@deeca.vic.gov.au.