Tackling Energy Hardship across Australia
What drives energy hardship in Australia and what solutions can reduce it?
The problem:
In recent years, challenges around affordability and wellbeing have intensified for many Australian households due to high energy prices and rising costs of living. These developments have led to a growing number of Australians unable to use adequate energy in their homes without facing hardship or compromising other essential needs.
Our research:
- Our research, commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, explored the different states of energy hardship in Australia, including their drivers, indicators, and impacts.
- We carried out primary research with customers and experts to uncover the underlying causes of energy hardship and to inform prevention, support, and relief strategies.
- We worked closely with the Department to ensure our findings addressed key policy questions while meeting the needs of Australian energy consumers.
Our impact:
- Our research created the ABATE Energy Hardship Framework, defining four distinct hardship states and identifying their key drivers, indicators, and outcomes to guide more effective support strategies.
- Our findings directly shaped national policy, providing the foundation for the Commonwealth’s first National Energy Equity Framework (2024), a major step toward reducing energy vulnerability and ensuring fair access to energy.
The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water used our frameworks as the foundation for the first National Energy Equity Framework, released in 2024.
| Our Researchers | Our Collaborators | Our Partners | Publications |
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Swinburne University University of Technology Sydney Australian Catholic University Queensland University of Technology Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Common Capital Energetic Communities Queensland Council of Social Service | Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3:
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