It has been revealed that the best offer included on ActewAGL customers’ energy bills may not the best offer that may be available to them.

During hearings in Budget Estimates, the acting CEO of ActewAGL Retail, Megan Wilcox, said customers receive a message on their bill every 90 days.

“Every 90 days customers will receive on their bill if a better deal is available with their current retailer. Customers can contact their retailer and seek to achieve a better discount than that.”

The Australian Energy Regulator’s Better Bills Guideline requires that energy retailers inform customers if they’re on the lowest cost generally available plan that’s applicable to them.

This information is provided on people’s energy bills, which must include a  ‘better offer message’ if the customer could save money by switching to another plan.

Under questioning from the Independent Member for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson MLA, Ms Wilcox confirmed that customers can seek a better deal by threatening to move to another energy retailer even if their bill says they are already on the best available deal.

Mr Emerson has called it misleading and unfair, saying energy providers should be upfront with customers about what’s actually the best offer available to them.