Energy customers are getting slugged to receive their utility bills in the post

Both electricity and gas bills received in the post will result in customers incurring a $1.69 fee per bill or the equivalent of an extra $6.76 per year for households to receive their quarterly bills.

The energy retailer said the new charges will hit customers from November 1 — they supply energy to customers in Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland.

The move comes after AGL announced it would charge customers a $1.75 fee for each paper bill received in the post and they would also slug customers a $2 fee for over-the-counter payments at Australia Post.

The charges will be rolled out from November 1 — but customers have an option to go fee-free.Source:istock

EnergyAustralia’s chief customer officer Kim Clarke said the move will encourage customers to manage their accounts electronically and avoid incurring any administrative charges.

“We have 2.6 million customer accounts and around 20 per cent of these already manage their accounts fee free,’’ she said.

The energy retailer said the charges will be rolled out from November 1 but they would work with customers who would find the “fee-free options challenging.”

However she said not all customers would be hit with the charge — exempt groups include concession card holders, pensioners and people in hardship programs.

EnergyAustralia customers will also be charged any third-party fees if they pay their bill over the counter at Australia Post — a $1.91 fee and any credit card merchant fees (0.36 per cent Visa and Mastercard and 1.5 per cent Amex.)

Consumer advocacy group Energy Consumers Australia chief executive officer Rosemary Sinclair said charging customers to receive statements would hurt.

“Consumers want a range of options for billing and managing their account,’’ she said.

“Charging for a paper bill limits their options and is an unreasonable impost on consumers which has the potential to unfairly impact those who do not regularly use the internet, such as older people.”

Origin Energy recently introduced a $1.75 fee for posted paper bills, costing customers $21 a year if they receive their bills monthly and want them posted.

sophie.elsworth@news.com.au