A33/2020. Date: 30 July 2020

Australian Government extends current support for IOT electricity customers

The Australian Government will continue its current relief measures to support electricity customers in Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) households, businesses and community groups on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its economic impacts.

These measures, by the Indian Ocean Territories Power Service, through the Indian Ocean Territories Administration (IOTA) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, ensure assistance is available for affected customers to maintain critical electricity connections.

The relief for customers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 currently in place until 31 July 2020 will now be extended to 31 October 2020.

Measures include:

• No increase to the cost of residential electricity use tariffs until at least July 2021.
• Disconnection and reconnection fees will not be applied up until 31 October 2020 to small businesses that have ceased business operations.
• Disconnection, reconnection or late payment fees will be waived for customers experiencing financial hardship up until 31 October 2020.
• No customers experiencing financial hardship will have their electricity disconnected without their agreement up until 31 October 2020.
• No referrals to a debt collection agency will be made up until 31 October 2020.
• Customers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to apply for a payment plan or hardship arrangement, by contacting the IOTA office on 08 9164 7901 or emailing accounts-iota@infrastructure.gov.au 

Customers with existing payment plans can also apply to have their payment plans and hardship arrangements modified if their financial circumstances have further deteriorated.

Mrs Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands