About us
We provide a free, fair and independent dispute-resolution service for electricity and natural gas consumers who have been unable to resolve a complaint with their energy retailer or distributor.
Our role
We seek to achieve a fair and reasonable outcomes for complainants based on current law, individual circumstances and good industry practice. We can investigate a wide range of complaints, and we can help you by:
- Providing general information about your rights and responsibilities as an energy consumer
- Arranging for a senior person in the company to contact you directly about your complaint
- Investigating the circumstances that led to your complaint
- Trying to negotiate an agreement between you and the energy entity.
Most complaints are resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Where appropriate, we can make a binding decision on the issue.
Please note that we must remain impartial and so cannot act as your advocate.
Legislation, Regulations and Guidelines
We consider a wide range of legislation, regulations and guidelines when considering a complaint.
Our history
Before the disaggregation of the Hydro Electric Commission in 1998, the Office of the Economic Regulator was responsible for protecting the interests of electricity consumers.
People could only make electricity-related complaints through civil courts, the State Ombudsman or the Office of Consumer Affairs.
Research showed that an industry-specific scheme was needed and the Office of the Electricity Ombudsman was established in October 1998, after the Electricity Ombudsman Act received Royal Assent on 19 June 1998.
With the introduction of natural gas to the Tasmanian energy market, amendments were made to the Act and the Electricity Ombudsman became the Energy Ombudsman.
Since 1 July 2005, the Energy Ombudsman has had the power to receive, investigate and resolve complaints between electricity and gas consumers and their providers, under the Energy Ombudsman Act 1998.
About the Ombudsman
Dr Grant Davies was appointed Tasmania’s Ombudsman and Health Complaints Commissioner in July 2025. He brings over 25 years of experience in public service, with a strong background in complaints resolution and health oversight.
Before this role, Dr Davies served as South Australia’s Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner from 2018. He has also held senior positions in Victoria, including Deputy Commissioner and Health Services Commissioner in the Office of the Health Services Commissioner, and Director of Projects at Safer Care Victoria.
Dr Davies began his career as a registered nurse in general and radiation oncology settings, and in acute palliative care units. He later contributed to health policy development in Queensland and Victoria, and held national roles in aged care oversight, including as Investigations Manager at the Federal Office of the Aged Care Commissioner.
He joined the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD) at Flinders University in 2019.
Dr Davies holds a Bachelor of Nursing (ACU), a Master of Arts (Research) (QUT), and a PhD (Melbourne) in applied ethics. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
As with previous Ombudsmen, Dr Davies also serves as Ombudsman Tasmania - Energy.
In addition, Dr Davies is Tasmania’s Custodial Inspector, de facto Tasmanian Information and Privacy Commissioner, Coordinator of the Official Visitors program, and Tasmania’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).
Dr Davies is a member of the Australia and New Zealand Energy and Water Ombudsman Network (ANZEWON). The aim of the network is to share information such as training, systems, processes and systemic issues arising from complaints. The network works towards as much consistency as possible between schemes.
Careers
Any job vacancies will be advertised on the Tasmanian Government Jobs Website.