Tomorrow marks a significant shift in Victoria’s energy landscape, as a long-overdue ban on door knocking under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme kicks in. This follows a telemarketing ban earlier this year, finally cracking down on some questionable practices in the industry.
For those not in the know, the VEU is a government initiative providing discounts on energy-efficient products for households and businesses. From low-flow showerheads to electric heating and cooling systems, the programme has helped more than 2 million households upgrade their appliances since 2009. These discounts are funded through Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates, each representing a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions avoided. Accredited companies provide the upgrades and then sell these certificates to energy retailers, who need them to meet the state’s emissions targets.
Sounds great, right? But here’s the kicker: not all these companies played by the rules. Telemarketing and door knocking were common tactics to push these upgrades, and some operators took things too far. Case in point: a 92-year-old woman was reportedly bombarded with calls every day for a year, despite repeatedly saying she had the items or wanted off the contact list. One rep even showed up at her door, refusing to believe her.
A Code of Conduct was introduced, and the Essential Services Commission (ESC) was given more enforcement power. But complaints only grew, with reports of high-pressure tactics and shady practices eroding consumer trust and tarnishing the programme’s reputation.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) had enough. After consultations, they presented three policy options. The winning option? A full ban on telemarketing and door knocking, with the latter coming into effect tomorrow. The only exception: if someone has given express consent, with strict record-keeping rules in place. Buying consumer contact details obtained from cold calling at homes or businesses is also off the table.
The ESC isn’t messing around. They’ve expanded their monitoring tools and promised to take strong action against anyone who breaches the ban. Penalties include suspension, cancellation, or disqualification of accreditation, along with fines and possible legal action.
So, if you get a knock on the door from a VEU rep after today, report it to the ESC at (03) 9032 1310 or email veu@esc.vic.gov.au. More details about your rights under the VEU programme can be found on their website.
This isn’t the first crackdown. The Solar Homes programme, offering rebates for solar panels and other incentives, saw similar issues. A door knocking ban was implemented in 2021, and telemarketing was banned from May 1 this year. The message is clear: play fair or face the consequences.
