Energy company
One of Australia's Big 3 energy retailers.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jan 2026)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Origin Energy Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change Score of A-
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2022)
41.8% in Oil and Gas Benchmark
The 2023 Oil and Gas Benchmark ranks 100 oil and gas companies on their climate strategy and performance together with social performance. This company ranked #6/100, with a total score of 41.8/100.
53.3% in Just Transition
The 2026 Just Transition Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies across multiple industries and sectors on how they integrate social equity, inclusivity and the rights of workers into their climate transition plan. This company received a score of 53.3/100. The average score was 5.7 and the highest score was 86.7.
Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Modern slavery disclosure is a critical step in mitigating the risk associated with modern slavery practices in companies' operations and supply chains. The quality of the disclosure signals the level of commitments and efforts that the companies have put in managing these risks. In 2024 the Monash Centre for Financial Studies analysed and ranked the disclosure quality of the modern slavery statements submitted by the 100 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX100). This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a grade of A.
Source: Monash University
(2024)
1/5 in Green Electricity Guide
The 2022 Greenpeace Green Electricity Guide ranked 47 Australian electricity retailers based on their environmental credentials, assessing factors like renewable energy provision, commitment to ending coal use by 2030, halting fossil fuel expansion, support for new renewable energy, and transparency. This provider was one of the worst rated, with only 1 star: "relies on highly polluting coal and gas for much of their electricity generation and aren't doing nearly enough to clean up their act."
Source: Greanpeace
(2022)
Fined $17m for customer hardship breaches
In 2022 Origin Energy was ordered by the Federal Court to pay penalties totalling $17 million for failing to comply with their obligations to protect customers experiencing hardship and payment difficulties, in proceedings brought by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). This was the largest total penalty ever imposed for breaches of the National Energy Retail Law and Rules.
Fined $12m for life support breaches
In 2025 Origin Energy was ordered by the Federal Court to pay penalties totalling $12 million for over 5,000 breaches of its life support obligations under the National Energy Retail Rules.
22.2% in Social Benchmark
The 2026 Social Benchmark assessed the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company received a score of 22.2/100. The average score was 20 and the highest score was 75.
High ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 35.2, placing it in the "high risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
Fined $17.6m for multiple breaches
In 2025 Origin Energy was ordered to pay $17,605,000 by the Supreme Court of Victoria after admitting to breaches of Victoria's energy rules that affected 668,750 customers. This was the largest financial penalty for breaches of Victoria's energy rules in the state's history.
Fined $5m for charging exit fees
In 2021 this company paid penalties totalling $5 million after allegedly charging prohibited exit fees to more than 20,000 gas and electricity small business customers. The Essential Services Commission issued 250 penalty notices to Origin Energy after evidence showed that more than 77,000 gas and electricity small business contracts wrongly included exit fees. As a result, exit fees adding up to $489,774 were charged to 22,371 customers.
17.4% in Urban Benchmark
The 2026 Urban Benchmark evaluates the 300 biggest and most influential companies shaping cities on their responsibility to advance inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban environments. Companies are assessed across four measurement areas: Sustainable governance, Inclusive cities, Healthy cities, and Climate neutral and resilient cities. This company received a score of 17.4/100. The average score was 12.2 and the highest score was 40.3.
Misleading claims
Ordered to pay penalties of $325,000 in 2015 for misleading consumers about discounts under energy plans.
Source: ACCC
(2015)
Unlawful sales tactics
In 2015 the Federal Court ordered Origin Energy to pay $2 million in penalties in relation to unlawful door-to-door selling practices in proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Source: ACCC
(2015)
Fined $126k for misleading customers
In 2020 this company paid a penalty of $126,000 after the ACCC issued it with an infringement notice for an alleged false or misleading representation in a price increase letter sent to residential electricity customers in Victoria.
Source: ACCC
(2020)
Political donations
The democracyforsale.net website, which aggregates data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), reports that this company donated $638,475 to Australia's major political parties between 2018 and 2023. To view this company's entry in the AEC's Transparency Register, follow the link and click on "Named on the following annual returns as providing funds to:" to see the political donations made by the company.
Source: AEC
(2024)
Fined $1.6m for multiple breaches
In 2024 this company paid penalties totalling $1,597,668 for alleged breaches of family violence provisions in Victoria’s energy rules.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; put a price on carbon; commit to 100% renewable power; responsible corporate engagement in climate policy; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to electric vehicles.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
C grade in ACT Core
The 2026 ACT Core Benchmark assessed 1,600 companies on the credibility of their climate transition plans. Companies are evaluated across six measurement areas; emissions reporting and target definition, planning for the low-carbon transition, governance and policy, low-carbon investments, current target alignment, and performance. Companies receive a letter grade from A to G. This company received a score of C (Inconsequential planning).
34% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 34 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
No tax paid in 2019-20
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Jan 2022, this company was one of many local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2019-20. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO
(2022)
44.6% in Electric Utilities Benchmark
The 2023 Electric Utilities Benchmark assesses 68 electric utilities companies on their alignment to a low-carbon world, together with social performance. This company ranked #11/68, with a total score of 44.6 out of 100. The average score was 26 and the highest score was 70.
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
2000
Revenue:
12.1 billion AUD
(2021)
Contact Details
Address:
Level 45, Australia Square, 264-278 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Phone:
13 24 61
Website:
Products / Brands
Origin Energy
Origin
Electricity Suppliers