More than 600,000 energy customers are currently in energy debt. If you are one of them, you can use our tool to build an email you can send to your energy company asking them to waive your debt.

Here’s how to build your email:

1. Before you start, gather the information you will need to support your ask – this might include doctors reports, proof of changes in your circumstances, proof of your caring responsibilities etc. You will need this information ready to attach to your email before you forward it to your energy company.

2. Find a copy of a recent energy bill or your account details and an email contact for your energy company.

3. Enter your email address in the email address field – this is where we will send your email, ready for you to complete and forward to your provider

4. Choose which kind of waiver/s you are applying for (tick each relevant box).
Health – you have significant, ongoing physical or mental health conditions that exacerbate your debt and impact your ability to pay it back [You will need to provide details about your physical or mental health, with a letter or report from your treating doctor as proof].
Financial hardship – you are unemployed or low income and/or on a Centrelink payment. You are struggling to pay for your basic living costs and cannot afford to pay back your energy debt.
Other extenuating circumstances – you have significant caring responsibilities that impact your ability to earn an income and/or pay back your debt, or other challenges such as significant health issues for members of your family etc.

You will have the opportunity to provide more details about your specific circumstances before you send your request.

5. Click “BUILD”; this will send you a pre-written, templated email,

6. Fill in the marked sections with your details, attach your supporting documents and forward the email to your energy company’s accounts department.

You can also view and download our template here and use it to draft and send your own email, if you would prefer.

Warning: This example letter is not a substitute for legal advice. If you require more information, please contact the Consumer Action Law Centre’s Worker Advice Line on (03) 9602 3326 or the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.