Retail Pricing
Full retail contestability (FRC) commenced in the South Australian gas market on 28 July 2004. From that date, most connected distribution network gas customers have been able to enter into a market contract with their retailer of choice.
Standing contract prices have been established in legislation as a measure of protection to small customers (i.e. those customers with annual gas consumption less than 1 terajoule per year) who choose not to enter into a market contract with a retailer.
Origin Energy, as the prescribed retailer under the Gas Act 1997 ("the Gas Act") is required to offer to sell gas to small customers at a standing contract price and subject to standing contract terms and conditions. Standing contract prices are available on the Origin Energy website.
The Gas Act empowers the Commission to make a price determination under the Essential Services Commission Act 2002 setting the standing contract prices which Origin Energy can charge under its standing contracts.
Gas retail tariffs under market contracts offered by any gas retailer (including Origin Energy) to customers connected to Envestra's distribution network are not regulated by the Commission and are instead set by gas retailers in a competitive market environment.
Residential and small business customers interested in comparing market contract offers to the Origin Energy standing contract are encouraged to use the Commission's retail Price Comparison Service.
