While First Nations groups are trying to push through small-scale projects to support remote communities, the first movers have had to do considerable extra work to convince utilities that it would be possible. 

First Nations, industry and government are invited to an inspiring webinar showcasing what's possible when First Nations communities lead their own energy future.

What’s more important, the electricity or food? But to us, they are both important.

This is the decision that we make every day – everybody.

ElectraNet, SA Power Networks and Telstra have shared a range of commitments they will undertake to address significant power unreliability and storm damage in the Flinders Ranges region in South Australia.

Community has successfully negotiated an affordable reliable clean energy solution for all households in Point Pearce Aboriginal community in South Australia.

Australian First Nations households and communities accessing electricity through prepayment arrangements experience extremely high levels of energy insecurity. In many cases, there is an absence of consumer protections, financial hardship assistance, or debt and disconnection relief. Until recently, these arrangements have largely avoided scrutiny.

While awareness of prepayment for electricity has improved, our research is the first national project to shine a spotlight on the previously hidden experiences of First Nations households using prepayment. The research incorporates household surveys and household-level energy use data to show that frequent disconnections are impacting food security, health, wellbeing and economic participation for First Nations prepayment customers.

Australia is entering a new era of energy-driven economic development, powered by the potential of lower cost renewables. The consent for access to First Nations’ extensive land and sea estates will be needed. It is incumbent on leaders and policymakers to recognise those same communities remain at risk of being left behind; underserved by policy and regulation to pursue opportunities that would secure their own energy futures.

To overcome these structural disadvantages Australian governments must be guided by existing frameworks, including the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy and Closing the Gap targets, and take action to ensure regulators and energy retailers work together to improve the experiences of First Nations people across all key reform areas.

There is considerable scope and opportunity for existing processes to include prepayment customers, and to bring regulation, reporting requirements and policy responses for prepayment customers in line with National Energy Market rules and regulatory standards.

Energy is an essential service that must be accessible by all, regardless of billing arrangements, location or income level. This can be achieved through the application of a nationally consistent consumer protection framework and guaranteed service levels for all customer groups.

The overarching goal of this research and associated proposals for prepayment reform is to keep First Nations people connected to power. This is consistent with wider recognition of energy as an essential service and that no- one should be disconnected due to inability to afford the energy they need.

Cite: Original Power and the prepay research team (2025) The Right to Power - Keeping First Nations communities on prepayment connected. Melbourne, Australia.

Read the report