EnergyAustralia has admitted to breaching the Electricity Retail Code by failing to make the government-mandated Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) available to eligible households from its July 1, 2026, commencement date. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on August 3, 2026, that it has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from the energy retailer following the 33-day delay.
The ACCC’s intervention means EnergyAustralia customers in New South Wales, South Australia, and South East Queensland who are eligible for the SSO can now access up to three hours of free electricity daily. The delay meant thousands of households missed out on significant savings, estimated to be over AUD$237 for a typical customer during the period of non-compliance, based on 24 kWh of free daily usage at an average rate of $0.30/kWh over 33 days.
“EnergyAustralia’s delay in offering the plan initially denied current and prospective consumers the opportunity to access this plan and take advantage of the benefits available.” – ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey.
The Solar Sharer Offer: What You Missed
The Solar Sharer Offer was introduced as a key reform to the Default Market Offer (DMO) framework, mandated by the Australian Government in November 2025. It requires major electricity retailers to provide eligible households with smart meters access to three hours of free electricity during the middle of the day. This period is strategically timed to coincide with peak solar generation, helping to utilise the abundant solar energy flowing into the grid.
Specifically, the free electricity window runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in New South Wales and South East Queensland (across the Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential, and Energex networks). In South Australia, the free period is from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the SA Power Networks system.
This initiative aims to deliver long-lasting bill savings for consumers and improve grid stability by encouraging demand shifting. Households can receive up to 24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of free electricity daily, a substantial amount capable of meeting the needs of an average five-person household. Crucially, the offer is available to both homeowners and renters, even if they do not have rooftop solar panels installed.
EnergyAustralia’s Undertaking and Consumer Impact
EnergyAustralia was required to make the Solar Sharer Offer available from July 1, 2026. However, the company only began offering the plan on August 3, 2026. The ACCC stated that the delay prevented current and prospective customers from accessing this valuable benefit.
As part of the court-enforceable undertaking, EnergyAustralia has committed to several measures:
- Continue Offering SSO: Ensure the Solar Sharer Offer remains available to eligible customers.
- Compliance Reporting: Report its compliance with the Electricity Retail Code and the undertaking to both the ACCC and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
- Staff Training: Train customer-facing staff to effectively assist customers with the Solar Sharer Offer.
- Public Notice: Publish details of the undertaking on its website.
ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey emphasised the regulator’s expectation that major retailers maintain robust systems to meet their legal obligations. The ACCC has confirmed it will continue to closely monitor all retailers’ compliance with the Solar Sharer Offer requirements.
For households seeking to manage their energy costs, understanding government-mandated offers like the Solar Sharer Offer is crucial. While this particular offer focuses on free usage periods, other forms of assistance are available. For a broader overview, refer to our guide on Australian Energy Bill Relief & Utility Concessions 2026: Your Comprehensive Guide. When considering energy plans, comparing market offers against the Default Market Offer (DMO) and new initiatives like the SSO is essential for finding the best value. Our guide on Choosing Your Australian Energy Provider in 2026: A Definitive Guide can assist in navigating these choices.
Solar Sharer Offer: Key Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Availability | NSW, SA, SE QLD (DMO regions) |
| Eligibility | Households with smart meters (homeowners and renters, with or without solar panels) |
| Benefit | 3 hours of free electricity daily |
| Daily Limit | Up to 24 kWh free per day |
| Free Period (NSW/SE QLD) | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential, Energex networks) |
| Free Period (SA) | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (SA Power Networks) |
| Purpose | Lower consumer bills, improve grid stability by leveraging midday solar surplus |
This incident underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring that consumer-focused energy policies are implemented promptly and correctly by all market participants. Eligible EnergyAustralia customers should now ensure they opt-in to the Solar Sharer Offer to start realising these potential savings.