Who do I need to contact?

If you experience a blackout, it’s important to contact your local distributor. Your energy distributor is the company that owns and operates the poles, wires and grid that provide your home with energy. Your distributor’s determined by where you live so you don’t get to choose them – unlike your energy retailer (Origin).

Your local distributor can provide info about the cause of the outage and will likely be able to provide you with an estimated time when the power will be restored in your area.

How do I find my energy distributor?

Some postcodes have several distributors. If you see more than one listed you can confirm which one services your area by looking at your bill. Their number will be listed under ‘Faults and Emergencies’.

If you don’t have your bill handy, we’ve got you covered. Just pop your postcode into our Distributor Look-up Tool and we’ll tell you who your distributor is.

My power’s out, what do I do?

Your number one priority during a power outage is to stay safe.

Be energy safe

Be careful not to burn yourself when using candles and other open flames for light, and keep naked flames away from any flammable materials.

Food safety

Try to keep your cold and frozen food cold by moving it all to the freezer and only opening the freezer and fridge when necessary to keep it as cold as possible. 

It’s generally recommended that food can be kept and eaten for up to 4 hours and then it must be thrown away or, if it’s raw meat, cooked and eaten. When your power’s restored, if your frozen food is still solid, the food should be safe to refreeze – but approach this on a case by case basis.

If you have any questions, contact the Department of Health and Human Services on 1300 364 352. 

In the event of an extended power outage, you may be eligible for a credit to reimburse you for spoiled goods. Your local distributor will be able to advise whether you’re eligible for this.

Take care of one another

If you have neighbours or relatives that may have special needs (such as the elderly or those with a disability), be supportive. Check up on them to make sure they’re safe and provide assistance where you can.

If a neighbour or relative has life support, and their supply has been affected, help assist them to the nearest hospital if safe to do so. If it’s not safe, reach out to the ambulance service by calling triple zero (000).

What will happen to my solar system?

When you initially connect your solar system to the network, you need to abide by the network’s connection standard. This means the inverter must follow grid operation. So if the grid’s down the inverter needs to, and will, shut down automatically.

This is because linesmen may be harmed when repairing faulty electricity wires travelling back into the grid from your solar system. After the repairs have been made, your solar power system will automatically turn on during daylight hours. If you have a battery backup system connected to your solar system, then depending on the wiring, some internal services like your fridge could still be operated by the batteries.

I have an electric garage door, what should I do?

Many garage doors feature a manual release function to bypass the opening mechanism during power outages, so don’t fear. To activate this, depending on your door, there will be a short rope hanging down that usually ends with a red, T-shaped handle. Pull this cord to release the door from the drive chain or belt. 

Pulling this cord will allow you to manually raise your garage door. When power comes back on, you may have to manually reset your garage door’s automatic opening system. If you have any issues, contact your garage door installer.

What if a natural disaster or emergency is occurring?

If a flood or bushfire has caused a power outage in your home, you need to act appropriately.

Floods or storms

If you’re impacted by flooding or a damaging storm, your best point of contact is your State Emergency Service (SES):

• NSW SES
• VIC SES
• QLD Disaster Management
• SA SES
• ACT ESA
• WA Emergency
• Secure NT

Bushfires

Electricity and natural gas supplies are often disconnected during bushfires for safety reasons. Contact your local distributor to get an update on whether a disconnection has occurred.

If you’re in a high-risk location for a bushfire, contact your state fire service:

• NSW Rural Fire Service
• VIC Emergency & Country Fire Authority
• QLD Fire Department
• SA Country Fire Service
• ACT ESA
• WA Emergency
• Secure NT

If you have any further questions, our emergencies page can give you tips about what to do in the case of bushfires and floods.

Preparing for a natural disaster or wild weather

If there is a severe weather event predicted in your area, here are a few useful tips and resources to help ensure your home is prepared. In any weather event, your local distributor is your best contact for outage info. You can find your distributor’s contact details on the first page of your bill, or by popping your postcode into our look up tool. Jot these down and keep them handy.

If you have life support at your property, ensure you are across your backup plan and have planned for access to your nearest hospital.⁠

For storms or cyclones

• Secure the exterior of your home by bringing all outside patio furniture, potted plants, bikes and toys indoors.⁠
• Source sandbags to keep water away from your property. Check whether your local council is offering these for free.
• If you have a generator, test it ahead of time and ensure you have adequate fuel on hand.⁠
• Charge power banks and any other appliances you may need (such as iPads, eBook readers, laptops, etc for entertainment) ahead of the weather event.
• Other important items to ensure you have on hand include bottled drinking water, food to last you between 5-7 days, torches, batteries, a battery powered radio to keep up to date with weather warnings, first aid kit and medication.⁠

For bushfires

A home that’s well prepared for bushfire season is more likely to survive a bushfire or ember attack according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Here are their maintenance tips to ensure your home is bushfire ready:

• Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs, and install metal gutter guards.
• Attach a fire sprinkler system to your gutters.
• Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof, enclose any gaps under the house and repair any in external walls.
• Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps inside the home.
• Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained.
• Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings.
• Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property.
• Have hoses long enough to reach around your house.
• If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so firefighters know where they can get water.
• Ensure you have an emergency survival kit on hand. Including things like: portable battery-operated radio, waterproof torch, spare batteries, first aid kit (with manual), candles with waterproof matches, woollen blankets, bottled drinking water (at least 3L for each person per day), medication and appliance chargers.

Tips for keeping the kids entertained

With TVs, computers and gaming consoles off the table (unless they’re battery operated of course), we’ve pulled together some easy ways to keep the kids entertained whilst waiting for power to be restored.

• Have a storytelling and shadow puppet show. Use a flashlight to take turns creating different animals and characters on the walls and creating stories to go with them.
• Pull out the board or card games and take the opportunity to bring the whole family together for some quality time.
• Who says forts are just for kids? Use blankets, pillows and sheets to create a cosy hideout inside.
• Pull out your craft supplies markers, paints and scrapbooks or download our colouring in sheet and get crafty together.

Have any more questions?

If you want to learn more about power outages, how this might affect your home or how to be better prepared, we recommend visiting your local distributors website.  

The post What to do in a power outage appeared first on The Origin Blog.

1. Access your Origin Rewards perks online

Our customers get access to a range of great rewards. From discounted movie tickets (including up to 45% off Gold Class and Luxe tickets) as well as discounts from a range of Australia’s favourite retailers – like The Iconic, JB HiFi, Endota and The Good Guys. You can access, and keep up to date with, all your perks via the ‘Rewards’ tab on the Origin app and My Account.  

2. Add your concession card

If you hold an eligible concession card, adding your details is as simple as following the steps below. 

3. Adjust your estimated bill

Estimated bills happen for a range of different reasons. From access issues like locked gates and pets, right through to natural disasters. If you’ve received an estimated read, the good news is you can submit a self-meter read in just a few steps. 

4. Check your energy plan

Want to check which energy plan you’re on? No need to go digging through your post or email inbox, it’s easily accessible via the Origin app and My Account.

5. Move house

Moving house is stressful enough without having to wait on hold to organise your energy connection. Skip the queue and organise your move in minutes online.

6. Pay your energy bill

Need to make a payment? Too easy, simply follow the steps below. 

7. Renew your energy plan

Energy prices change regularly, so getting into the habit of reviewing your plans regularly can help keep your household bills down. We know reviewing your utilities can be time consuming, so we’ve pulled together a handy checklist to help guide you through finding the right plan for you, and you can easily update your plan online. 

8. Submit a meter read to check your costs

Wondering how you’re tracking with your energy usage and costs? Here’s how you can submit a self-meter read and check. 

9. Update your details

Updating your contact details, postal address and email is easy via My Account and the Origin app, just follow our step-by-step instructions below. 

10. Need more support?

Our Help & Support section has hundreds of articles to help answer your energy account and billing questions. We’ve also got loads of great energy-saving tips and tricks on our blog. Still need a helping hand? Send our friendly team an email via hello@origin.com.au.  

The post 10 useful ways to manage your energy account online appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Acronyms

What is an NMI number?

NMI stands for National Metering Identifier. It’s a unique 10 or 11 digit number used to identify every electricity network connection point in Australia. Every connection to the national electricity network is given its own NMI. You can find your NMI number on the second page of your bill in the ‘Total Electricity Charges’ box.

What is a MIRN number?

MIRN stands for Meter Installation Registration Number. It’s another unique 11 digit number used by natural gas suppliers to identify your gas connection. It’s essentially the same as an NMI, but for gas.

What are kilowatt hours? (kWh)

A kilowatt hour is a measure of how much energy you’re using. It’s a unit of measurement that equals the amount of energy you would use if you kept a 1,000 watt appliance running for an hour. For example, if you switched on a 100 watt light bulb, it would take 10 hours to use 1 kWh of energy. If you’re curious about just how much energy each of your appliances uses, an appliance running calculator can give you a good sense of how much they cost to run.

What is a megajoule? (MJ)

If you have natural gas at your property, then you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of numbers on your bill followed by ‘MJ’. Similar to a kWh, a MJ is a unit of work or energy equal to one million joules. A property’s gas usage is measured in megajoules and is recorded using a gas meter.

The energy industry

What is the NEM?

The NEM is the National Electricity Market. Operating in NSW, the ACT, QLD, SA, VIC and TAS, the NEM is a wholesale electricity market and includes the network of physical assets like power stations. Energy generated by those assets is then moved around the system and sold through a ‘pool’.

What is an energy distributor?

Energy distributors are responsible for the infrastructure that provides energy to homes and businesses. They take care of things like the poles, wires, grid, substations and natural gas pipes. As distributors cover specific areas or patches, like your local council, you can’t choose who your distributor is.

Your distributor will be the one who communicates with you about power outages. They’re also who you should reach out to for any updates on outages or interruptions. You can find their contact details here if you put in your postcode.

What is an energy retailer?

An energy retailer (like Origin) is a company that supplies natural gas or electricity to consumers. Retailers take the meter readings that are provided from either your distributor or meter provider – depending on your meter type – and generate your bill. They also handle everything from liaising with distributors on things like first and final meter reads (when you’re moving in/out of a property), meter upgrades and inspections, organising special reads, energy offers and applying concessions, through to everyone’s least favourite thing, resolving issues and complaints. 

Unlike your distributor, you can choose who your retailer is.

What is an energy generator?

Generators produce electricity, which they can sell to retailers like us. This energy can be from coal or gas, or renewable sources like wind, hydro and solar. Generators also sell energy via the National Electricity Market (NEM), where prices (known as “spot” prices) change every five minutes.

These prices reflect current demand and supply across the NEM, and are influenced by factors like weather, season, time of day, and gas, coal and oil prices.

What is a gentailer?

Like the name suggests, the term ‘gentailer’ combines the terms generator and retailer. It’s a reference to companies who operate in the National Energy Market (NEM) and both generate, and sell, energy to customers via their own retail business

Pricing

What is the daily supply charge?

The daily supply charge is a fixed daily cost that customers pay regardless of how much energy they use. It helps pay for the ongoing maintenance of the national energy grid including things like poles, wires and transformers. It also covers a portion of retailer operating costs.

The supply charge can differ according to your plan, any discount you have and who your distributor is.

What is a usage charge?

Just like the name suggests, usage charges are how retailers bill you for the energy you use at your home or business. Unlike the supply charge, which is fixed, your usage varies depending on your energy habits.

What is a tariff?

A tariff is a pricing structure — it’s the way that you’re charged for the energy you use. It’s normally determined by the type of meter you have and how it’s been set up. Some examples of tariffs include peak, off-peak and time-of-use.

What does peak/off-peak metering mean?

Off-peak refers to reduced electricity rates during specific times, these time periods are usually when households and businesses are using less electricity. The exact times will be different depending on your location and meter type, but they’re typically at night or over the weekend. This is also sometimes referred to as ‘time of use’ metering.

In order to take advantage of off-peak power, you might need to change your tariff – which can be dependant on your meter type. One more thing to be mindful of, before you make the switch, is your usage habits. It pays to look into your households energy usage and make sure you’re using the bulk of your appliances during the specific off peak/shoulder times. Find out more on how you can take advantage of off-peak power.

What is a controlled load?

A controlled load is electricity supplied directly to specific appliances, the most common being electric hot water systems, pool pumps or underfloor heating. These are usually on a separate meter or a dedicated circuit – you might also find you’re charged a lower rate as these appliances operate during times of the day where there may be more energy available in the grid.

What is a fixed-term energy plan?

A fixed-rate energy plan adds security by keeping your rates consistent for a fixed-term usually a 12-month period. Generally, if you are an Origin residential customer, you can switch energy plans at any time (with no exit fees).

What is a ‘block rate’?

Natural gas customers are sometimes charged in ‘block rates’ or ‘steps’. This means when you reach a certain threshold of usage, the price per megajoule changes. Generally, the more gas that’s used, the lower the rate per MJ.

What is the DMO?

The Default Market Offer (DMO) is the maximum price electricity providers can charge customers in NSW, the ACT, SA and parts of QLD who are on a ‘standing offer’ for electricity (a contract with regulated terms).

It’s also called the DMO reference price because it’s a cost benchmark that customers can use to compare offers (also called electricity plans).

The relevant regulator reviews and sets the DMO each year. It’s set by the government in the ACT or the Australian Energy Regulator in NSW, SA and parts of QLD.

What is the VDO?

The VDO, or the Victorian Default Offer, are electricity prices set by the Essential Services Commission for Victorian customers. It’s designed to ensure customers pay a fair price for their energy. In Victoria, any discounts must be advertised off the VDO rates, and any electricity plan advertised must also show you the estimated yearly cost difference between the plan and the VDO.

None of our customers are currently being charged above the VDO

What’s the difference between a supply and street address?

Your supply address is the address that’s listed for your meter in the National Database. This may appear differently to your street address, which can cause you to think we might be billing you for the wrong property. The best way to check this is to compare your meter number with the meter number listed on the second page of your bill. Don’t have a bill yet? Reach out to our friendly Social Media Team and they’d be happy to check this for you. If your meter number matches, we can have the supply address updated to match your street address – we just need a copy of your council rates notice.

And that’s a wrap! Now that you’re up to speed with our lingo, you have all the right info to become the ‘energy whiz’ of your household. Hopefully this cheat sheet will make your life a little easier when you come across these terms in future.

The post Busting energy jargon appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Energy prices change regularly, so getting into the habit of reviewing your plans annually can help keep your household bills down. We know no-one likes the life admin that comes with reviewing utilities, so we’ve pulled together a handy checklist to help guide you through finding the right plan for you.

What do you need from an energy plan?

There are a lot of energy plans on the market and what works for one household may not be right for another. With so many plans and providers to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. A great place to start is by narrowing down what’s most important to you. Here are four key things to consider.

• Ease: How easy, and fast, is it to connect or switch providers? Does your provider offer electricity and gas, or even internet (making it a one-stop for your life admin needs)? Are there bundle deals?
• Convenience: What bill and payment options are available? Do they offer Live Chat and an online portal? Is there a mobile app for when you’re on the go?
• Control: Is it easy to check your energy rates? Can you easily access your energy usage online?
• Cleaner options: Do they offer any green energy products or add-ons, and if you have solar, what is the feed-in tariff like?

Compare apples with apples

Once you’ve narrowed down what’s important to you, the next step is to take a look at your current offer and compare it. If you’re looking for new ways to reduce your energy bill, reviewing some of your previous bills is bound to reveal some insights that will help point you toward a new plan that works for you.

• What is the base rate that you’re paying? And how does it compare to the DMO or VDO?
• Does your current plan have any bonuses or discounts?
• Is your plan flexible? Can you exit at any time without getting charged?
• Are your customer service needs being met?
• Victorian Energy Compare and Energy Made Easy (for customers outside of Victoria) are independent sites that allow you to compare plans across different retailers.
• You should also check for any hidden fees and additional costs you might be paying, or any exit fees you may need to pay if you decide to change providers.

Understand your energy usage

Have a close look at how many kWh of electricity, or MJ of natural gas, you’re using each quarter, along with what tariff you’re currently on. If you’re on a peak rate tariff, or a time of use (TOU) tariff, do these meet your household’s current needs? If you are on TOU or off-peak tariff check what times you should be using your power to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

If you can, try to look at all four quarters for your usage – your energy use will most likely fluctuate as the seasons change. Take note of your average daily usage and use this as the basis for comparing new plans.

A checklist for comparing

Use our quick, and handy, checklist the next time you’re comparing offers:

• Check the rate per kWh/MJ and check the fine print to determine the true energy costs. Check out our Pricing Explained page for a detailed breakdown about how pricing works.
• Since we don’t charge any exit fees, you can try out any Origin plan and swap to another if your needs change.
• Consider the daily supply charge. This is the fee for supplying energy to your property – even if you don’t use any electricity or gas this rate will still apply. These charges can vary from retailer to retailer (and between distributors).
• Find out how often you receive your bill and what your payment options are.
• Do late fees apply? If so, try to avoid them by setting up recurring BPAY payments or an ongoing payment plan like Easipay.
• If you have solar panels, take into account feed-in tariffs and solar specific plans – like Solar Boost.
• Are there any other admin fees for things like paying over the counter or receiving your bill in the post?
• Find out if there’s a contract, how long it’s for and if there are any exit fees should you change your mind and wish to switch providers down the track.
• Are there any other perks? For example virtual power plants, loyalty programs or partnerships like Everyday Rewards or energy-saving rewards programs that add extra value.

The post Tips for finding the best energy plan appeared first on The Origin Blog.

We’re spending over $100M to support vulnerable customers

We know that many households and businesses are feeling the weight of rising expenses. Over the last three years we’ve spent more than $90 million to support vulnerable customers, and we’ll spend up to $50 million to continue to provide support over the coming year. This includes shielding our existing Power On customers from price increases. 

We have a range of financial assistance available

Not everyone’s circumstances are the same, that’s why we have a range of different payment and financial assistance options available. From payment extensions and payment plans to ongoing bill smoothing and the option to switch to monthly billing to help make your bills more manageable – we’re committed to helping our customers pay their energy bills in a way that suits them, and their needs, best. 

Our Power On program offers personalised support

For our customers who may need more of a helping hand, or simply more tailored support, our Power On program is available – we’re here to lessen the worry. Get in touch. We’ll give you access to information and options to help you get on top of your energy bills… and stay there.    

When you’re on Power On, we promise to:  

• Keep you connected 
• Respect you and your situation 
• Apply our hardship policy consistently, fairly and transparently 
• Give you information to help you use less energy 
• Set up a payment plan to fit your capacity to pay 

And we won’t initiate normal debt collection processes. Our dedicated team can also help you get on top of things by helping with:

• Flexible payment plan options 
• Information on Centrepay and how to set up a direct debit 
• Redirecting your bills to a third party at no charge (this helps when someone else is managing your bills) 
• Energy efficiency tips and ideas 
• Help with signing up for state concessions and rebates 
• A referral for financial counselling 
• Ensuring you’re on an energy plan that best suits your needs 

Providing practical energy-saving advice

Small tweaks to your energy habits can result in big savings on your energy bills. We have a range of resources to help you take control of your energy usage at home – without compromising on comfort. Our blog is filled with a range of energy efficiency advice including:   

• Seasonal energy-saving tips for both winter and summer 
• Simple energy hacks to reduce your everyday energy use 
• Clever ways to optimise your home 
  smart plugs 
• Educational explainers to help you understand your energy bills, consumer rights and how to compare energy plans 

Reach out, we’re here to help

We encourage anyone needing a hand getting on top of their energy bills, to gett in touch – our team are here to help. Reach out via the Origin app, email us via hello@origin.com.au or shoot us a Private Message on Facebook or Instagram. Prefer to pick up the phone and chat? Give us a call on 13 24 61.  

The post Our ongoing support for customers appeared first on The Origin Blog.

They’re often scams and they’re becoming more common. From the fake energy provider threatening to cut off your power, to the ever popular African prince looking for a bank account to store his millions, scammers are working harder and harder to get their hands on your hard earned money, or worse, your identity.

Scammers often mimic legitimate companies, like Origin, to trick you into opening a fake email, clicking on links, making a payment or even giving away your personal details.

How to stay safe online

Scam emails (otherwise known as “phishing”) set out to deceive people into providing their personal details. These fake emails often include a corporate logo and look like they’ve come from a legitimate company. If you believe you’ve received a scam Origin email, we also encourage you to report it to www.scamwatch.gov.au

If you use My Account to manage your energy online, you should also make sure you have a strong password – and never share that password with anyone. We’ll never ask for your My Account password over the phone, or ask you to send it to us via email.  

What should you do if you think you’ve received a scam email?

• Close it and contact us
• Forward the fake email to hello@origin.com.au so we can investigate further
  

What not to do

• Click on links
• Open attachments
• Download pictures
• Forward the scam email to others

How to spot a scam

Be on the front foot, here’s how you can tell if an email or text is a scam or a real Origin email:

• It might be an email scam if the sender has a suspicious email address.
• Look out for spelling mistakes or bad grammar – these are often a clue that it’s not from us.
• Look carefully at any links – do they point to origin.com.au or originenergy.com.au? We’ve seen scam websites posing under originnergy.com.au so look carefully at the website address.
• The only safe and trusted way for you to pay your Origin bills online is via My Account or the Origin app or at originenergy.com.au/pay. Anything asking you to make an Origin payment outside of those could be a scam.
• If you receive a suspicious email you suspect could be a scam Origin email, the quickest way to confirm whether it’s real or not is to check your account either using My Account or the Origin App. Your most current energy bill and billing history will appear there.

What are the legitimate Origin emails?

It’s important to look out for domain names when opening emails. A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website or an email address. Some common domains that we send emails from include:

• originenergy.com.au – e.g. retail@originenergy.com.au
• origin.com.au – e.g. hello@origin.com.au
• originbroadband.com.au – e.g. help@originbroadband.com.au
• originzero.com.au – e.g. noreply@originzero.com.au
• ecomms.origin.com.au – e.g. origin@ecomms.origin.com.au
• icomms.origin.com.au – e.g. origin@icomms.origin.com.au
• looop.co – e.g. notify@looop.co
• spike.originenergy.com.au – e.g. spike@spike.originenergy.com.au

Emails sent from other domains that may look similar should be treated as suspicious. We also encourage our suppliers to be vigilant when receiving any such requests and to ensure they’re familiar with Origin’s standard supplier process.

Other scams to watch out for

• Emails, or phone calls, involving fake orders or requests for specific parts being sent from individuals claiming to be part of the Origin Procurement team.

• Emails offering you amazing job opportunities. Before offering any positions, Origin undertakes a thorough interview process. This usually involves both face to face and telephone interviews – we also ask candidates apply for roles formally via our website. You can view all of our current opportunities, and sign up for job alerts, via our Careers page.

What can you do if you’ve fallen victim to a scam?

If you believe you’ve been a victim of a scam online, here’s what to do next:

• Call our customer service team on 13 24 61
• Contact your financial institution immediately
• Disconnect your computer from the internet and run an anti-virus scan
• Report it to Scamwatch so they can warn others about the scam email

How to contact us

If you’re concerned about any communications you’ve received, and would like to speak to us directly, you can reach out to us by:

• Calling our customer service team on 13 24 61
• Contacting us via Facebook Messenger (you can be sure it’s us by the blue verified tick) or send us a direct message on Twitter.

Use our app to be sure it’s us

To be sure it’s us, you can view correspondence and pay your energy bills from the Origin App or by logging into My Account.

The post How do you tell a scam from a real Origin message? appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Why do estimated meter reads happen?

Estimated meter reads are essentially best guesses. They’re sent through to your retailer (Origin is an energy retailer) when the local distributor can’t read your meter — usually this is because they’re unable to safely access your meter due to either unrestrained pets, locked gates or even long grass. In rare instances, it can be due to severe weather events like flooding or bushfires, faulty meter reading equipment or issues with the meter data (when it looks like you’re using a lot more, or significantly less, than usual for that time of year).

How can I avoid an estimated bill?

The best way to avoid an estimated read is to make sure there’s always easy and safe access to your meter. One of the most common reasons for estimated reads are our furry family members. Sadly not everyone’s a fan of the four-pawed and sometimes even the most friendly dogs don’t take too kindly to having strangers in their yard. On top of the meter readers safety, there’s also the concern for your pets welfare – we’d hate for them to make like Houdini and escape!

To make sure your meter read goes off without a hitch, ensure your pet can’t access the meter. A few options are keeping them in a separate fenced off section, asking a friend to mind them or keeping them indoors for the day.

Providing clear access to your meter will also help reduce the chances of you getting an estimated bill. Make sure your grass is trimmed, there are no objects that could be a tripping hazard and there aren’t any vehicles blocking the way. If your meter’s located in a particularly odd nook or cranny, please let us know, as we can provide access details to the local distributor who reads your meter.

We also know how important it is to feel safe and secure in your home, so if you’ve got a gate that needs to be locked, there are distributor approved locks you can purchase. These allow the meter readers to get the job done, whilst maintaining your peace of mind. Most distributors list their preferred locksmiths on their website, so if you pop in your details we’ll let you know who’s the distributor in your area. A little unsure? No problem! Send us a message on Facebook and we’d be happy to point you in the direction of an approved locksmith.

How to check your estimated reading

The easiest way to see whether the estimated reading’s in line with your usage is to compare it with actual read on your meter. If the reading on your meter is higher than the estimate on your bill, this would indicate it’s in line – if the reading on your meter is less, your usage has likely been overestimated. Not sure how to read your meter? We’ve got you covered.

My bill’s been overestimated, what now?

Sometimes the readings we receive from the distributor may be different to what you’ve actually used, there’s a few ways to get this sorted out. You can choose to wait it out until you receive your next bill and if it’s an actual meter read, it will balance out the estimated read. Otherwise, if your estimated bills due date is no later than today’s date, you can submit a self-read and we’ll use the self-meter read you have provided to adjust your estimated bill with updated usage information and a new due date. We can do this within five business days – if you’ve got email billing you’ll receive the new bill within five business days. Get your bills via snail mail? It can take up to 10 business days to reach you.

Disclaimer

There are some situations where you may not be able to submit a self meter read . For further assistance, please reach out to our team via 13 24 61 or by emailing hello@origin.com.au

The post The ins and outs of estimated bills appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Disclaimer:The content provided is not intended to be tax advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Origin recommends you seek your own independent tax advice prior to lodging your tax return.

What can be considered as a tax deduction?

Simply put, tax deductions are permissible reductions in your taxable income, that are recognised by Australian tax law. Tax-paying individuals and businesses can claim certain expenses or contributions related to their work. These deductions reduce the amount of income you’ll be taxed on — effectively decreasing the overall tax liability, providing financial relief and greater tax savings.

There are many deductions you can claim against work-related expenses that people often forget about when completing their tax return. Certain travel expenses, home office expenses, education and even internet and mobile phone expenses may be tax deductible. Remember, it’s worth speaking with a tax professional to confirm which apply to you (this will help ensure you’re compliant and the cost of tax advice is deductible, too!). 

Financial expenses

Accounting fees

Did you use a tax agent to prepare and lodge your tax return last year? If you did, then you can claim the amount you paid last year – on this year’s return. On your tax return, simply put the amount you paid in 2023 into section D10 – “Cost of Managing Tax Affairs”. The fees you pay for tax return help are always tax deductible. 

Donations

If you’ve been generous over the past financial year, it’s an added perk that your donation may extend beyond a good cause to a tax break. Donations of $2 or more to organisations that have the status of a deductible gift recipient  are tax deductible if you have a receipt. 

Income protection insurance

You’re entitled to claim tax deductions for insurance premiums paid against the loss of income. Remember though, this doesn’t include life insurance, trauma insurance or critical care insurance.

Investment losses and bad debts 

Many people think they are a share trader rather than an investor, make sure you know the difference to ensure you lodge your tax correctly this year.

It’s important for investors to include any capital losses not used to offset current year capital gains on their tax return in the year they occur. By including capital losses on a tax return, they’re available to use in future years and can prevent you being contacted by the ATO when the loss is used in future years. Remember, investors can’t use capital losses to offset income like wages. Business owners also need to prove they have made a genuine attempt to recover any bad debts that may have arisen. Your financial advisor can explain how to document the debt as evidence the amounts were written off before the end of the financial year. 

Prepaid expenses

With tax deductions, every little bit counts. Prepaying your expenses (such as with PAYGI) can attract a tax deduction that is commonly overlooked. 

Small business owners and rental property owners can prepay expenses such as subscriptions, business travel expenses, training events, leases, rent, phone, internet, insurance and business asset repairs (note these can’t exceed more than one year and the expenditure must be over $1000). 

Rental property expenses

One of the most common mistakes when owning a rental property is not understanding what can be claimed and when, in particular repairs and capital expenses. Repairs can generally be claimed immediately, but any improvements and capital expenses must be claimed over time.

Any work done before earning any income from the property is considered to be part of the acquisition cost and can’t be claimed unless it’s capital works or a depreciating asset, which gets claimed over a number of years. Acquisition costs can be used to reduce any capital gains when the property is sold.

If you’re not sure download the Investors toolkit and check with your registered tax agent.

Union fees

If you pay to be a part of your workplace’s or industry’s union each year, you’re entitled to a tax deduction under D5-Other work related expenses. 

Assets and inventory

Review your asset acquisition

Running a small business? Did you purchase new or second-hand assets for your business recently? If you have depreciating assets, it’s worth finding out whether you’re eligible for small business concessions, such as simplified depreciation rules, the small business income tax offset or immediate deductions for prepaid expenses. Take advantage of these concessions and/or instant asset write-offs to see if they can help reduce your tax bill (some may also save you time).

Take stock of your inventory

If your business produces or purchases stock for sale, you’ll likely need to do at least one stocktake at the end of the financial year for tax purposes. It’s important to identify any damaged or obsolete stock and write it down or write it off. This exercise will impact the value of the trading stock and your profit margins. 

You’ll also need to consider how to value your trading stock every financial year, as you may be entitled to claim a tax deduction when the opening stock exceeds the closing stock. 

Work related and operational expenses

Home office expenses

With many of us working from home, we’ve put together a quick guide to deductions for home office expenses.

The way you claim (and the amount you claim) for your home office expenses will depend on the method you use to calculate a working-from-home deduction. If you’re eligible to claim a working-from-home deduction, there are two ways you can do this: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.  

Fixed rate method

The fixed rate method allows you to claim 67 cents for every hour you work from home and covers additional running expenses that are often difficult to apportion, such as your phone and internet usage, electricity and gas, stationery, and computer consumables (like printer ink). You can’t claim these items separately if you use the fixed rate method, but your deduction can include working-from-home expenses, which the rate doesn’t cover, such as decline in value of depreciating assets used for working from home.  

Actual cost method

Using the actual cost method, you work out your deduction by calculating the actual additional expenses you incur when working from home, such as your phone, data and internet expenses. Where you incur running expenses for both private and work purposes, you need to apportion your deduction. You can only claim the work-related portion as a deduction. Whichever method you use, you’ll need to make sure you have the right records, or your deduction may be disallowed. 

Sole traders and partnerships

If you’re a sole trader or in a partnership, you may be able to claim the business-use portion of running expenses (the additional costs of using your home for your business activities) and occupancy expenses (what you pay to own or rent your home). If you operate your business from your home and have a dedicated area set aside as a ‘place of business’, you may be able to claim occupancy and running expenses. These can include mortgage interest or rent, electricity and phone use. Find out more at: www.ato.gov.au/homebasedbusiness However, you may not get the full main residence exemption if your home is your principal place of business — for more information visit the ATO website. 

If you’re an Origin customer, you can download your energy bills using Origin’s MyAccount. Check out our tax time help and support page to learn how. 

Mobile phone expenses

As a business owner or an employee, you can claim the cost of your work-related calls (not your entire phone bill). It’s a good idea to keep a logbook of when you use your personal phone, to determine the average percentage of your calls that are work-related. If you have claimed working from home expenses, you cannot claim the same phone expenses twice.

Education and training expenses

You can claim self-education expenses if there’s a direct connection between the course and your role in your business, or your duties as an employee. You could be entitled to a tax deduction for expenses including the following: 

• Textbooks, professional and trade journals 
• Stationery 
• Photocopying 
• Computer expenses 
• Student union fees 
• Student services and amenities fees 
• Accommodation and meals, only when participating in your course requires you be away from home for one or more nights.
• Running expenses if you have a room set aside for self-education purposes – such as the cost of heating, cooling and lighting that room while you are studying in it. 

Also, if you’re a small business with an aggregated turnover of less than $50 million, you may be eligible for the small business skills and training boost. The boost would give you an additional 20% bonus tax deduction for eligible expenditure incurred on training new and existing employees.

If eligible, you can claim a deduction on expenditure for external training courses delivered to your employees, either in person in Australia or online. The training must be provided by an external training provider registered in Australia. The boost is available until 30 June 2024. 

You can’t claim expenditure for training you undertake yourself as a business owner, such as where you are a sole trader, partner in a partnership or independent contractor.

Work-related car expenses

Business owners who use their personal car for work-related reasons, apart from driving to and from work, can usually claim running costs as a tax deduction where a valid logbook has been kept for a representative period of three months. Or you can use the cents per kilometre method for up to 5,000 kilometres. To be eligible, you must be the owner of the car and your travel must be part of your working day. For example: driving between offices, special trips to the post office, bank or moving from one job site to another are considered work-related expenses.

Employees can also claim car expenses in similar circumstances.

Consult the ATO website

Our tips are not tax advice and are intended to be general in nature. We recommend you keep a record of all your receipts and working hours as evidence, and that you seek expert advice from a registered tax professional before you lodge your return.

For more information on what you can and can’t claim check the ATO website and for businesses check out ATO website for business. 

Get started

Build your tax and super skills this tax time with Essentials to strengthen your small business. A flexible and free online learning platform with courses for small businesses to learn how to get their tax and super basics right. To help you this tax time, and throughout the year. Not too sure where to start? you can always talk to the experts and get the help you need by speaking to the ATO, or your registered tax agent, to help get you on your way. 

This article has been created in collaboration with the Australian Taxation Office. For more helpful tax info visit the ATO Community or the ATO website.

The post Don’t forget these tax deductions in your FY24 return appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Download our app

With the Origin app, you can manage your energy accounts right from the palm of your hand. There are a number of handy features that can help you take control of your energy including:

• Check your account balance 
• View, download and pay your bills 
• View your energy plan and rates  
• Change your energy plan 
• Submit a self-meter read if you’ve received an estimate  
• See exclusive rewards and offers 
• Arrange your move-in or move out

If you have a smart meter, you can also view and track your energy usage*, allowing you to see what you’re using and when. Solar customers can also see how much energy they’ve fed back into the grid, and any credits they’ve earned. And Spike members can check their Watts balance, cash them in for rewards, and see any upcoming SpikeHours or events. 

Download the app today via Google Play or the App Store.

Log in to My Account

If you’d prefer to access your account online, our online portal, My Account, to do all the above as well. 

To set up an account, you’ll just need the email address that’s linked to your account. We’ll send you a code to make sure we have the correct email – then simply choose your password and you’re good to go.  

If you don’t already have access, you can register right here in just a few steps.

Reach out to us directly

Can’t find what you’re looking for in the app or My Account? We’ve got you. Shoot an email to our friendly customer team via hello@originenergy.com.au and we’ll get back to you. Alternatively, you can reach us on 13 24 61 or via our Socials.  

*We’re aware that not all customers are currently able to view their usage information online and apologise for the inconvenience. Our team are working on a fix and we hope to have the service restored as soon as we can.  

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