Electricty Supply
Park Management is responsible for the supply of electricity. The on-supply of electricity is when an entity, such as a park operator, purchases electricity from a licensed supplier, such as Synergy or Horizon Power, through a master meter. This operator may on-sell the electricity to its residential customers. Government rules control how much the park can charge.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Advice received by PHOAWA from Consumer Protection in October 2024 says that a park is not permitted to levy a 'supply charge'. This has been a long standing practice that has not been allowable under the regulations since 31 January 2022.
Download the March 2025 DEMIRS Bulletin "On selling Electricity Fact Sheet".
The relevant section on a supply charge in caravan parks is highlighted in yellow.
Can I get a refund of incorrectly charged supply charges?
Residents who have been charged for electricity supply are entitled by law to receive a refund. Under the Regulations, a refund may take the form of reduced rent. It is up to the residents affected to seek a refund and may claim the amount as a debt through a Magistrate's Court or via application to the State Administrative Tribunal.
If you wish to request a refund from your park manager, first try approaching them directly and suggest a discussion over the issue. If that is not successful, or you do not think it will work, write to them. There is a sample letter for download HERE.
How much refund is owing?
This will vary from park to park. As an example, a park who charged the Synergy Residential Tariff amount of a fixed daily charge from 1 February 2022 to 31 October 2024 have collected an excess amount of $434.
A Refund Calculator is available for download here (requires Microsoft Excel or other Spreadsheet) - DOWNLOAD SUPPLY CHARGE REFUND CALCULATOR
The Long Stay Lease Agreement determines the method a park operator will use to calculate a tenant’s electricity consumption and supply costs.
The most common method is to use a sub-meter. This means that each resident has a meter attached to their residence. If the sub-meter is registered, the meter will be read by the supplier (Synergy or Western Power) and the park will receive a bill for each residence from the supplier, which will be passed on.
NOTE: Under the Residential Parks Regulations 2022, park operators MAY NOT charge for supply. ONLY the consumption charge in the table above may be levied. The usage would be charged at 30.812 cents per KWhr (unit). Park management should give notice of rate increases to residents.
What to Do If You Think Your Electricty Charges Are Wrong
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In the first instance, talk to your park operator who should be able to explain the on-supply arrangements for your park.
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If you have a Park Liaison Committee, approach them, as they are also a valuable means of resolving a range of matters through on your behalf with the park operator.
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If you have any queries or concerns about how the on-selling of electricity is disclosed in your long-stay agreement, please contact Consumer Protection’s Contact Centre on 1300 304 054.
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Unfortunately, park home residents served by embedded networks do not have access to the Energy & Water Ombudsman for a dispute resolution service. Hopefully, this will change soon after a review conducted in 2024.
Energy Concession Extension Scheme
Holders of a Commonwealth Pension Card, Health Care Card or Vet Affairs Gold Card (not a WA Seniors Card) are eligible to recieve assistance with energy charges. If you are directly billed by Synergy or Western Power, this happens automatically but if you are in a park that on-sells, you need to apply.
You can find the details and make an application at Apply for the Energy Concession Extension Scheme (www.wa.gov.au).