A huge increase in Electricity Bill - double or triple usage out of no where

[Sin]

I phoned AGL the other day and spoke to a customer service representative and enquired about my current electricity bill because it has actually doubled out of nowhere, even though the AGL App's projection said that the bill was going to be around $468, then all of a sudden upon receiving the bill it is $803 (usually pay this amount and higher in the winter billing months).

Looks like there is a mistake in the system somewhere, the meter reader person has done something wrong or a faulty meter???

I have uploaded a few screenshots to the complaints email as I do not understand how 13.05kWh in 2024 jumps to 24.35kWh for 2025...

That is a bloody joke as it is just me and my mum, doing the same things that we have been doing over the years.

There isn't anything different or anyone new at the dwelling and for the projection to be one thing and the bill to actually be double is very weird as the prediction is usually correct on roughly the amount we usually pay.

The current bill on the "understand your usage" part, it shows a line comparison from May 2024 and May 2025 in which the line is around the same level if not, just a tad bit below it.

So, how can we use a similar amount to last year and get charged double all of a sudden. The projection on the app never said it would be around the $800 mark, as stated earlier it showed around $468 as to what we were expecting for the bill to be and since the initial charge is for 1,275 kWh / $0.345 / $441.02 for the "General Usage" which should actually be the to pay.

But then there is an extra charge called "General Usage Next" of 1,038 kWh / $0.345 / $359.04 which is ridiculous considering the graphs, the previous bills, the projection and whatever else as to why there has to be a mistake somewhere. By looking at the bill, we have used just over 2300kWh out of nowhere??????

Yes, I have looked into the "General Usage Next" on the AGL website but as I keep reiterating that something is not quite right with this bill cycle.

The lady I spoke to put in a ticket to investigate this issue and by the looks of things, it seems like some error has occurred for the current electricity bill as there is no way as stated earlier that 13.05kWh in 2024 jumps to 24.35kWh for 2025 when the graphs show similar usage to last year and our energy habits have no changed nor is it winter yet.

I just looked at the AGL App for the new/current cycle usage and it is showing the bill projection of $950 and as I said, we haven't been using any extra electricity nor have we bought a new appliance, so it's either a faulty meter, someone is siphoning our power, meter dude possibly did something??

Like, I switch off everything from the power point and the only things that are on and constantly running are the personal computers that my mum and I use, plus the fridge. Everything else is off, so it is absolutely baffling how the bill has doubled, and our electricity usage has actually tripled in the space of a few days/weeks.

It is madness and I hope the investigation team, or the complaints department can find out the issue because this is the first time I have ever made a complaint in regard to the bills because something isn't right on this bill cycle and if it was winter, I would understand as to why the electricity bill being $803.

Maybe AGL need to send someone out to check if the meter is faulty or something.

Kind Regards,

Sinan

[SYED_AGL]

Thank you for reaching out.

I'm truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you've been facing. I completely understand how frustrating and stressful this situation must be, and I want to assure you that we’re here to support you every step of the way.

If you've already lodged a complaint with someone at AGL, I recommend allowing a little time for that process to be completed. Once the outcome is available, we’ll have a clearer understanding of the situation and can take the appropriate next steps together.

In the meantime, if your bill's due date is approaching and you're concerned about payment, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We can discuss options to extend the due date until things are resolved or until you have a better picture of what’s going on.

Our team is ready and more than happy to help you through this, so please don’t feel like you have to manage it alone.

Thanks, 

SYED

[Sin]

Hello Syed,

It is frustrating and stressful when the projection is roughly what we usually pay only to receive a bill with that extra $360 on top for the extra 1000kWh which we did not use.

Since we live in a town house complex, the electrical box is shared by Villa 10 and 12(me and mum), so what I am assuming is that the person who came out to read the meter, most likely put the device into both ports to see how much we used which is that original price of $441 but the extra charge of $360 is probably Unit 10's which has doubled up for us.

I am giving it a few extra days and as the due date is getting closer, I will pay the $441 + GST - My mums pensioner discount/government rebate, then I will ask for an extension for that other charge whilst the team investigates.

We have been customers of AGL for a long time, and I do not think we have ever complained as this is the first time.

Appreciate the response, I will call up again by the end of the week to see what the go is but for the time being, I'll allow that time as you said, so it is all good.

I just hope it can be resolved and that there is a mistake, as I keep on reiterating that something is not right with that bill cycle when projection says one thing and bill is another because there is no way we have used 2300kWh in these months as we do not use air con or heaters because the weather is great after Summer.

What's funny is that our bill cycle from 31st October 2024 to 30th of Jan 2025 is $344.40 in which I was using the Air Conditioner in my room on the hot days since the start of December and the bill was at a "normal" price but 31st of Jan 2025 to 5th of May 2025 projection was a few days before the bill cycle ended $468, in which I was like cool... Then we got the bill a few days later for $803?? what the actual fudge??

Now that the weather is getting cooler, I will expect our bill to be $800 or more as the projection is currently showing $951 but not sure why it's showing that much, unless rates, tariffs and other things have changed to make it more expensive in this apparent "wind shortage" even though the government are putting up more wind farms???

If the end result after the investigation is "too bad, you have to pay because there was no error", then I will be looking at another energy company because I will bet my life on me and my mum not using 2300kWh worth.

Thank you again for responding and apologies for ranting a bit as I am annoyed at the situation with everything in life being so expensive only to receive a bill like that because it is an actual shock.

Kind Regards,

Sinan

[Lester]

..

@Sin relax a bit and don't let it stress you unnecessarily.

It sounds like an error, but hopefully one that can be fixed easily.

If you can read your meter, I'd recommend doing this to have the current numbers on hand to either compare to your bill figures, or to have on hand to give to anyone from AGL asking.

Record the date, time, and then whatever figures come up for various tariffs.

It sounds like you have a digital meter, but one that needs to be read by a meter reader still, with a port they plug in a device to download whatever tariff figures it provides.

If you can read it, there is usually a number flashing, then a figure, write these down.

If you have 2 meters, possibly separate for CL (controlled load, hws or other) do the same.

Good luck.