Guaranteed Service Levels
Energex is committed to making sure the safe and efficient delivery of electricity to your home or business meets an agreed set of industry standards.
It's our promise to eligible customers* that we will meet the Guaranteed Service Levels (GSLs) set out in the Queensland Electricity Industry Code (the Code)
A copy of the Code can also be found on the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation website.
Processing and payment of Guaranteed Service Levels (GSLs) for our small customers is automated, as a result of the directive from the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).
This process is reflected in the Code. To summarise, the effects of this initiative include:
- GSL payments are now automatically identified and calculated.
- Small customers have a three-month time limit to lodge their claim.
- Energex must process and pay eligible GSLs within one month of lodgement.
You may view answers to our frequently asked questions by visiting our FAQs page.
Energex guarantees to meet the following Guaranteed Service Levels, or you will receive a GSL payment by cheque.
Service guarantees
Connections
As long as we have received all necessary paperwork and approvals from you or your retailer, electricity will be connected to your premises, where supply is available, by the agreed date.
If we need to construct new powerlines or infrastructure in order to connect your electricity, we will work with you to set a date for the connection to be completed.
Should we not connect within the agreed time frame, you will receive a $52 payment for each day we are late.
Reconnections
If you need to reconnect your electricity supply and you have completed all necessary paperwork, reconnection will take place as follows (unless otherwise agreed with you):
-
Customers living in Brisbane CBD and urban areas:
We guarantee to reconnect within the same business day if you contact your retailer by midday, or the next business day if you contact your retailer after midday.
-
Customers living in Bay Islands and some rural areas:
We guarantee to reconnect within 10 business days.
Should we not reconnect within the agreed time frame, you will receive a $52 payment for each day we are late.
Wrongful disconnection
If we wrongfully disconnect the electricity to your premises without your permission, or contrary to legislation or our contractual arrangements with you or your retailer.
Disconnection for non-payment at your premises must not be performed:
- Before 8am and after 3pm on a Business Day.
- On a Friday, on a weekend, on a Public Holiday or on the day before a Public Holiday.
- Between 20 December and 31 December (inclusive) in any year.
You will receive a $130 payment for the inconvenience.
Hot water supply
Loss of hot water, where the problem is our responsibility, will be attended to within one business day unless otherwise agreed with you.
You will receive a $52 payment per day if we do not meet this guarantee.
Appointments
Based on a particular time or time period within a day (up to a maximum time period of five hours), and unless we have contacted you the day before to reschedule, we will be on time for appointments:
- To read, test or inspect your meter.
- To inspect, alter or add to your electrical installation.
You will receive a $52 payment if we do not meet this guarantee.
Planned interruptions
If we need to interrupt your electricity supply to carry out maintenance on our network, we will provide at least two business days' notice.
We'll advise you of the estimated start and finish times of the planned interruption by one of the following:
- letterbox drop, letter or flyer
- newspaper or radio advertisements
- phone
- fax
If we don't meet this guarantee, we will pay residential customers $26 and eligible business customers $65.*
Please note: We use our best endeavours to advise of power interruptions.
However, for urgent work requiring action without delay - where failure to do so could result in an emergency or create a risk to the community or our staff - no guarantee payment is made except as described below.
Reliability - duration of electricity interruption
We aim to restore your power after an interruption to supply within eight hours for Brisbane CBD customers and 18 hours for customers outside the Brisbane CBD.
If we are unable to do so, you will receive a $104 payment for each eligible interruption.
Reliability - frequency of electricity interruptions
You are eligible for a Guaranteed Service Levels payment if you experience:
- Ten or more interruptions of supply over a financial year for customers in Brisbane CBD and urban areas.
- Sixteen or more interruptions of supply over a financial year for customers in rural areas.
You will be eligible to receive a $104 payment if these duration and frequency reliability guarantees are not met.
Only one claim for this guarantee can be made during a financial year.
The following interruptions of supply are excluded from these guarantees:
- interruptions of one minute or less duration
- interruptions due to generation or transmission problems (see the Electricity Industry Code for full details)
- planned interruptions
- interruptions caused or requested by you
- interruptions due to natural disasters (Refer to the Electricity Industry Code for full details)
Guaranteed Service Levels payments are automatically identified and calculated.
However, if you have not received a payment that you believe you are eligible for, please contact us on 13 12 53.
You will have three months from the date the event took place to lodge a manual claim.
How to claim
To apply for a GSL payment, phone the Energex Contact Centre on 13 12 53.
An Energex Customer Service Representative will take you through the process and your claim for a payment can be made over the telephone.
Alternatively, you can complete our Guaranteed Service Levels Claim Form online.
Guaranteed service levels fact sheet
You can download our Guaranteed Service Levels fact sheet (PDF 122.7 kb) or call 13 12 53 to obtain a hardcopy.
How to Appeal a Declined Guaranteed Service Level claim
Any GSL claim that does not meet the specified criteria as set out in the Queensland Electricity Industry Code (the Code) will be declined.
Should you wish to appeal this decision, please forward your request in writing and address to:
GSL Internal Review Panel
GPO Box 1461
BRISBANE Qld 4001
On receipt of your letter of appeal, the GSL Internal Review Panel will respond to your request within 20 business days.
Terms and conditions
*GSLs apply to residential and small business customers only; that is, customers using less than 100 megawatt-hours per annum.
You may refer to past electricity bills to check your electricity usage. If you are unsure, contact us on 13 12 53.
Customers are able to claim $416 in total across all GSL types excluding wrongful disconnections, per electricity account in any one financial year.
Payments for wrongful disconnections are not subject to a cap.
The Guaranteed Service Levels outlined above should be interpreted in relation to the Electricity Industry Code made under the Electricity Act 1994.
This information is a summary only. Any payments made under these Guaranteed Service Levels are made by Energex for failure to meet the nominated standards.
We reserve the right to amend these service levels in accordance with any variations to the requirements of the Electricity Industry Code.
Energex is committed to providing you with the best possible standards of service.
For further information on GSLs, contact us on 13 12 53. For more information on the Electricity Industry Code and Guaranteed Service Levels visit the Queensland Government website.
You require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print documents.