The Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Hon Angus Taylor MP, announced the launch today of a new tool to help small businesses reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency.

The Government’s Business Energy Advice Program (BEAP) will give small businesses access to two new free services.

1. A personalised energy advice service, and
2. An online tool to help them understand their energy saving opportunities.

The Program will assist small businesses to find the best energy plan available and make practical suggestions to adapt or change equipment with a view to improving energy efficiency. There will also be the opportunity to apply for grants to deliver energy savings.

The NSW Business Chamber will assist in the national delivery of individualised energy discussions for businesses with 6–20 employees. Small businesses can register for their free consultation at businessenergyadvice.com.au

The Government has also collaborated with AlphaBeta and Xero to develop the Small Business Energy Check online benchmarking tool, which allows small businesses to compare their energy costs to other similar businesses in their area and industry, which means a business can compare their energy spend to other like businesses quickly and easily.

The Program has resulted from recommendations from the 2018 ACCC Retail Electricity Price Enquiry, which found that small businesses struggle with getting the best deal for energy needs and are often paying more than they should.

Small and family businesses contribute billions of dollars to the Australian economy and the Program is intended to support them in reducing energy costs.

For more information about the Business Energy Advice Program visit energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-programs/business-energy-advice-program