While the customers stay put, the development of systems that allowed retail competition to go ahead has meant consumers are being better informed on the efficient use of their electricity supply, according to the National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO).

NEMMCO is responsible for settling payment between electricity generators and retailers - a procedure that has become more complex because of the much larger group of customers now able to chose an electricity supplier. Retail competition began in NSW from January 1 and from January 13 in Victoria.