What did the report find?

Households with incomes of less than $50,000 per year were the most likely to face energy hardship, with 54 per cent of renters and 46 per cent of mortgage holders experiencing financial strain.

The report found many of the hardest-hit households are not accessing or aware of government assistance programs aimed at helping to ease energy costs. Source: SBS News

These percentages drop markedly as household income increases.

“Without decisive action, many Australians will continue to face unaffordable energy costs, unsafe living conditions, poor health outcomes, and sustained financial stress,” she said.

Renters are worse off

“Not only does this lead to higher energy costs, adding to cost of living pressures for renters, it also affects them financially, because energy inefficient homes cost more to heat and cool, thus further entrenching energy hardship.”

Only 9 per cent of renters have access to solar power, compared to 41 per cent of mortgage holders and 48 per cent of outright homeowners.

Renters are disproportionately more likely to be vulnerable to, or experiencing, energy hardship across all indicators of hardship. Source: SBS News

Around two-thirds of renters also lack at least one form of insulation, such as ceiling insulation, floor insulation, double- or triple-glazed windows, or draft proofing, according to the report.

In 2019, all jurisdictions committed to establishing a framework for energy-efficiency standards for renters by the end of 2022, with implementation to follow in subsequent years. While some states have made progress, others have lagged behind.

What can you do about high energy bills?

“The first step is to speak with your energy provider as soon as you can and see what support they can offer you. Tell them you’re having a hard time and that you need support to pay your energy bill — you have a right to receive help,” Stephens said.

Sally Tindall, data insights director at comparison website Canstar, said millions of Australians are paying more than they need to for electricity and gas, simply because they haven’t compared their options in a while.

Canstar Blue research shows over two-thirds of Australians have been with the same provider for more than two years. Source: SBS News

“Our research shows switching from an average-priced plan to one of the lowest in the market could save a typical household up to $406 a year in some areas, even more for larger households,” Tindall told SBS News.