Retailer of Last Resort

The Retailer of Last Resort refers to the default retailer in your area who has been appointed by the Queensland Government to provide customers with electricity in the event their existing retailer is unable to continue to provide an electricity supply. This may be because the retailer has had its market registration suspended, which legally prohibits them from continuing to supply, or because it is unable to access electricity in the wholesale market to supply its customers.

The arrangements are intended to ensure that customers continue to receive their electricity supply in circumstances where their existing retailer is unable to continue to provide that supply.  Under the Electricity Act and the Electricity Regulations, customers of such a retailer are automatically transferred to another electricity retailer so that their electricity would not be cut off. 

It is important for customers to note the price arrangements under the Retailer of Last Resort contracts. For small customers (those who consume less than 100MWh a year, which includes residential and most small businesses) the price charged by the Retailer of Last Resort will be the notified price that is set by Government. For large customers (those who consume more than 100MWh a year) the price will be based on the National Electricity Market spot market price.