#BetterTogether - COVID-19 Customer Vulnerability Research
Led by Jemena, ActewAGL, Energy Queensland, Essential Energy, Powershop and Simply Energy.
Energy Charter signatories Jemena, ActewAGL, Energy Queensland, Essential Energy and Powershop, together with #BetterTogether Collaborator Simply Energy, are collaborating with Deloitte to expand this research nationally in four quarterly rounds over 2020-2021. The insights will be leveraged to better understand customers impacted by COVID-19 and how the energy sector can help them. We are working closely with a Customer Outcomes Group made up of a number of customer representatives and advocates to help strategically guide the research and outcomes.
Research Reports
Wave 4, COVID-19 Consumer Vulnerability Research - Quarter 3, September 2021
Research was conducted to understand the degree of customer vulnerability, as well as customers’ consumption and sentiment towards energy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the final Wave 4 via survey between July 19th to Aug 2nd 2021 which found:
- Only 31% of people are optimistic about Australia’s economic direction
- 52% of people agreed that COVID-19 had increased their stress levels
- 67% of respondents stated they are highly concerned about the lasting impacts of COVID-19
- 36% of respondents intend to reduce spending on non-essential items in the next 3 months
- Recovery trajectory has been curbed by the widespread lockdowns that have occupied many of the eastern states of Australia
- COVID-19 related stress has worsened as the pandemic escalates around the country, particularly amongst older respondents and women
- Hardship groups that have relied on now non-existent income supplements have incurred the largest degree of financial hardship
- Reduction in spending is the most common alleviating measure that respondents are utilising. Adversely impacted groups are more likely to reduce household spending.
Wave 3, COVID-19 Consumer Vulnerability Research - Quarter 2, June 2021
Research was conducted to understand the degree of customer vulnerability, as well as customers’ consumption and sentiment towards energy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, via survey between April 28th to May 3rd 2021 which found:
- Only 35% of people are optimistic about Australia’s economic direction
- 45% of people agreed that COVID-19 had increased their stress levels
- 56% of people on JobSeeker reported a decrease in household income
- 31% of people indicated that that they are spending more on energy bills over the last 3 months
- Respondents wellbeing continue to trend upwards across the entire sample population, suggesting a continued trajectory of recovery
- Pandemic induced stress has improved as the COVID-19 situation becomes more manageable across the country, however figures remain high
- Whilst JobSeekers have improved since Wave 2, the ending of income supplements may amplify their vulnerability over the coming months
- The proportion of respondents needing hardship support has persisted since Wave 2.
Wave 2, COVID-19 Consumer Vulnerability Research - Quarter 1, March 2021
Research was conducted to understand the degree of customer vulnerability, as well as customers’ consumption and sentiment towards energy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, via survey between February 11th to February 21st 2021 which found:
- Only 36% of people are optimistic about Australia’s economic direction
- 50% of people agreed that COVID-19 had increased their stress levels
- 41% of people on JobSeeker reported that financial stress keeps them up at night
- 36% of people indicated that they are spending more on energy bills over the last 3 months
- A range of survey responses are trending positively (when compared to Wave 1), pointing to signs of recovery
- The pandemic has increased stress levels for many, and significant concern about the lasting impacts of COVID-19 will see that trend likely continue
- The impacts of COVID-19 are being felt more significantly by vulnerable groups. But it is JobSeekers who are falling further into hardship
- There is an upward trend in both those receiving and potentially needing support, in response to the increase in energy bills and the balancing of household spend
Download the snapshot placemat and full report below.
Wave 1, COVID-19 Consumer Vulnerability Research - Quarter 4, Dec 2020
Research was conducted to understand the degree of customer vulnerability, as well as customers’ consumption and sentiment towards energy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, via survey between October 23rd to November 2nd 2020 which found:
- 20% of people have either had their working hours reduced or lost their job due to COVID-19
- 37% of people have experienced a decrease in household income
- 47% of people stated that 2020 has been a difficult year for them
- 37% of people indicated that over the last 3 months, energy bills were the household item where their spending had increased the most
- In the next 3 months, 24% of people are intending to reduce spending on essential items, and half will take conscious behavioural changes to use energy more efficiently
- For people who are currently receiving or may need energy bill support, bill discounts and energy tips communicated on a monthly basis via email was the most preferred communication model
Download the snapshot placemat and full report below.
