The Energy Ombudsman provides a dispute-resolution service for electricity and natural gas customers who have been unable to resolve a complaint with their energy retailer or distributor. Our service is free, fair and independent.
Our role
The Energy Ombudsman tries to achieve fair and reasonable outcomes for people who have a complaint. We can investigate a wide range of complaints. We can help you by:
- providing general information about your rights and responsibilities as an energy consumer
- arranging for a senior person in the energy 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 company.
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. We cannot act as your advocate. We try to achieve outcomes based on current law, the circumstances of the person making the complaint and good industry practice.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
When considering a complaint, we check a wide range of legislation, regulations and guidelines. You can find out more on our legislation page.
Our statement of commitment to child and youth safety
We are committed to keeping children and young people safe. This commitment covers all the work of our Office, including our roles as the Ombudsman, Health Complaints Commissioner, Custodial Inspector, Energy Ombudsman, National Preventive Mechanism and the Official Visitors program.
We believe every child and young person has the right to feel safe and to be safe. Keeping them safe is everyone's job and we take this seriously. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.
Read our full statement of commitment (PDF, 106.5 KB).
Our history
Before 1998 when the Hydro Electric Commission was broken up, the Office of the Economic Regulator was responsible for protecting the interests of electricity consumers.
People could only make complaints relating to their electricity supply through civil courts, the Tasmanian Ombudsman or the Office of Consumer Affairs.
In October 1998, the Office of the Electricity Ombudsman was established after the Electricity Ombudsman Act was adopted. This created a scheme for resolving complaints that was specific to the electricity industry.
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 customers and their providers, under the Energy Ombudsman Act 1998 (Tas).
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 resolving complaints.
As with previous Ombudsmen, Dr Davies also serves as the Energy Ombudsman.
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. He also held national roles in overseeing aged care, including as Investigations Manager at the Federal Office of the Aged Care Commissioner.
He joined the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying 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.
In addition, Dr Davies is Tasmania’s Custodial Inspector, de facto Tasmanian Information and Privacy Commissioner, Coordinator of the Official Visitor programs and Tasmania’s National Preventive Mechanism.
Dr Davies is a member of the Australia and New Zealand Energy and Water Ombudsman Network (ANZEWON). The aim of ANZEWON 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
Our careers page offers information about job vacancies.