The Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWON) has advised that owners corporations supplying or selling energy to residents through an embedded network are required to become EWON members.
In March 2018, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) revised its Network Exemption Guideline and its Exempt Selling Guideline to require exempt entities servicing residential customers to join EWON.
This change gives NSW residents who receive electricity or gas via an embedded network access to the same protections customers of authorised energy retailers receive. More information about this is available via this link ewon.com.au/its-time-to-become-a-member.
There are benefits to joining EWON, which aims to be the office of last resort. It works with members to help them reduce complaints and manage the ones they do get as effectively as possible. Members receive a complaint handling policy template and training opportunities to help them improve their internal dispute resolution processes. Other benefits of joining EWON include:
- Regular reporting on complaint figures
- Systemic issues identification
- Participating in forums
- Complaint referrals
- Engagement and education
- Policy development
- Governance participation.
Read about the full benefits of membership at ewon.com.au/what-does-becoming-a-member-mean.
In the first year of membership EWON fees start from $425 for up to 50 customers, as shown in the table below.
| Customer number bandwidths | Joining fee (one off) | Base fee (annual) | Customer number fee (annual) | ||
| 1 | 1 | 50 | $125 | $150 | $150 |
| 2 | 51 | 100 | $250 | $500 | $200 |
| 3 | 101 | 500 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $500 |
| 4 | 501 | 2,000 | $2,500 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| 5 | 2,001 | 5,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
Visit applications.ewon.com.au to start your application. For more information, or help email members@ewon.com.au or phone 02 8218 5251.