Promotional offer — trial 48 h at $1.61 then $87.71/month without obligation. The solution to track your subscriptions.
Cancel Just Energy: The Right Way
Frustrated with Just Energy? Discover how to cancel your plan, avoid fees, and switch easily. Rated 4.8/5. Start your cancellation today!
Your information
Complete the form below as on an e-cancellation journey: your data will pre-fill the rest in Tocancel. No letter preview on this page.
How to cancel Just Energy in australia and dodge unexpected exit fees
Why you might want to leave Just Energy
Just Energy supplies electricity and natural gas to Australian households on fixed-rate contracts (typically 12 to 36 months), variable month-to-month plans, and time-of-use offerings that reward off-peak energy use. If you've locked into a contract and your circumstances have changed, or you've discovered a competitor offering genuinely better rates, cancelling may be your next logical step.
Life circumstances shift: you relocate for work, your household income changes, or energy prices drop sharply elsewhere. Whatever your reason, you have consumer rights that protect you during exit, and Tocancel is here to walk you through them clearly and confidently.
When cancellation makes financial sense
Calculate whether cancelling early is worth the cost. If you've found a competitor offering 15% to 25% cheaper rates and your early termination fee sits between AUD $224 and AUD $299 (typical for Just Energy), the savings often outweigh the penalty within 12 to 18 months. Use an online energy comparison tool to estimate your annual saving, then subtract the exit fee to see your true net position.
If you're within the final 2 to 3 months of your contract, waiting until the natural end date costs you nothing and remains the smartest financial move.
When staying put is smarter
Before you cancel, check your contract schedule for promotional rate locks or introductory bill credits that are about to expire. If your plan resets to a higher standard rate within 60 days, that renewal point is often a better cancellation trigger than paying an early exit fee right now. Waiting a few weeks could save you significantly.
Review the remaining term on your fixed-rate contract. If you're locked in for another 18 months or more and early termination costs AUD $299 or higher, compare that fee against the annual saving your new plan offers before you decide to proceed.
Your consumer rights and what they mean for you
Australian Consumer Law (part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) protects you when you cancel an energy contract with Just Energy. Your key legal position is this: you have the right to cancel any contract, but a fixed-rate energy contract can include a lawful early termination fee if the company can demonstrate genuine loss.
What australian consumer law says about cancellation
The Australian Consumer Law sets out unfair contract terms that are void, even if you signed them. An early termination fee must be reasonable and proportionate to the company's actual loss, not a penalty designed to trap you. If Just Energy charges AUD $500 to exit a plan with only 3 months remaining, that fee is likely unfair and unenforceable under section 23 of the Australian Consumer Law.
Your legal position gives you the right to request a fee waiver or reduction if you can show the company will suffer minimal financial loss. Keep records of all communication, because these become evidence if you need to escalate to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) or pursue action through the Australian Consumer Law enforcement bodies.
Your cooling-off period and statutory rights
Just Energy must offer you a 10 business day cooling-off period from the date you sign a contract or receive the key contract documents, whichever is later. This means you can cancel within 10 business days with no penalty, no questions asked. If you're within this window, exercising your cooling-off right is the simplest path to cancellation.
After the cooling-off period ends, any cancellation incurs the early termination fee outlined in your contract. This is where Tocancel's step-by-step guidance becomes essential: knowing exactly how to lodge your cancellation request protects your rights and creates a paper trail.
How to cancel Just Energy: three methods
Just Energy offers three official cancellation channels: phone, post, and online enquiry form. Tocancel recommends using the method that provides the strongest proof of your request-ideally, written communication that you can reference later if the company disputes your cancellation date or fees.
Method 1: cancel by phone
Phone cancellation is fastest but leaves no written record. If you choose this route, request a cancellation confirmation number and email address the call centre representative uses, then follow up with a written request within 24 hours to create documentation.
- Call Just Energy customer service on 1300 318 799 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Australian Eastern Time)
- Have your account number, billing address, and meter reference details ready
- Confirm the early termination fee amount and your desired exit date
- Ask for a cancellation reference number
- Request the representative's name and the date and time of the call
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation by email within 2 business days
- This email must include your cancellation date, final bill amount, and any remaining balance
- Save all emails and call records to your computer or cloud storage
Method 2: cancel by post
Posting a cancellation letter creates a clear written record and protects you if a dispute arises later. Send your letter via Australia Post with tracking to verify delivery.
- Write a formal cancellation letter on plain paper that includes
- Your full name, address, and account number
- Your meter reference number (visible on any Just Energy bill)
- Your desired cancellation date (typically 3 to 5 business days from posting to allow processing time)
- A clear statement: "I wish to cancel my Just Energy contract effective [date]"
- A request for written confirmation of the cancellation and final bill amount
- Send the letter via Australia Post to
- Just Energy, PO Box 173, Niddrie VIC 3042, Australia
- Use tracking service so you have proof of delivery
- Retain the Australia Post tracking receipt and a photograph or scan of your letter for your records
- Allow 5 to 10 business days for Just Energy to acknowledge receipt and process your cancellation
Method 3: cancel via online enquiry form
Just Energy's website offers an online contact form that provides a digital footprint of your request. This method bridges the convenience of phone and the record-keeping of post.
- Visit justenergy.com.au/contact-us
- Select "Cancellation" or "Account Issues" from the enquiry type dropdown
- Complete all required fields
- Full name, email address, phone number
- Account number and meter reference
- Desired cancellation date
- Reason for cancellation (optional but helpful if you're claiming hardship)
- Message: "I wish to cancel my Just Energy contract effective [date]. Please confirm receipt and provide my final bill amount and any early termination fee that applies."
- Submit the form and retain a screenshot of the confirmation page
- Check your email (including spam folder) for Just Energy's response within 2 to 3 business days
- If you don't receive a response within 3 business days, follow up by phone using Method 1
Understanding early termination fees and what you owe
Just Energy's early termination fee is not arbitrary: it reflects the company's estimated loss from you breaking a fixed-rate contract early. Understanding how this fee is calculated helps you negotiate if the amount seems unreasonable.
How Just Energy calculates exit fees
The company typically calculates your early termination fee by estimating the profit it would have earned over the remaining contract term, minus any profit from on-selling your account to another retailer. For most fixed-rate plans, this fee ranges from AUD $224 to AUD $299, depending on how much time remains on your contract.
As you approach the contract end date, the fee decreases because Just Energy's potential loss shrinks. If you're within the final month of a 24-month contract, your fee may be as low as AUD $50 to AUD $100.
Requesting a fee reduction or waiver
Australian Consumer Law allows you to challenge an early termination fee if it's unreasonable or disproportionate. If Just Energy quotes AUD $400 to exit a plan with only 6 weeks remaining, you have grounds to dispute this fee as unfair.
Send a written request (email or letter) to Just Energy's customer service, referencing section 23 of the Australian Consumer Law. Explain your specific circumstances and ask the company to reduce or waive the fee. State your willingness to escalate to the Australian Energy Regulator if the fee is not adjusted. Many companies reduce fees rather than face escalation.
Keep a record of all correspondence. If the company refuses, contact Tocancel for guidance on formal complaints to the AER or your state energy ombudsman.
What happens after you cancel
Your cancellation doesn't end on the day you submit your request. Several important steps follow, and Tocancel recommends you stay vigilant to protect yourself from billing errors or missed deadlines.
Timeline and final billing
After you submit your cancellation, Just Energy typically processes the request within 3 to 5 business days. Your final bill arrives within 30 days of your exit date and includes all charges up to your cancellation date, minus any credits or rebates you're entitled to. If you've paid in advance, Just Energy must refund the balance within 30 days.
Mark your calendar for 45 days after cancellation. If you haven't received your final bill by then, contact Just Energy immediately to chase payment. A missing final bill often indicates a processing error.
Switching to a new energy provider
Once your Just Energy cancellation is confirmed, you're free to switch to a competitor immediately. You don't need to wait for your final bill. Arrange your new connection date to coincide with your Just Energy exit date to avoid any gap in coverage (or overlapping charges).
Your new retailer handles all meter transfer details and notifies the network operator automatically. Tocancel advises you to keep copies of both your cancellation confirmation from Just Energy and your welcome paperwork from your new provider, because these are proof of your transition and protect you if billing disputes arise.
Checking your final bill for errors
Review your final bill line by line. Confirm that the early termination fee amount matches what you were quoted, that all account credits are applied, and that you're not charged for days after your cancellation date. If you spot an error, contact Just Energy's billing team within 10 business days-this is the standard dispute window.
If Just Energy refuses to correct a billing error, you can escalate to the Australian Energy Regulator's Retail Ombudsman Service, which investigates complaints at no cost to you.
Pricing and fee comparison table
Understanding Just Energy's cost structure helps you weigh cancellation against the alternative of staying and renewing.
| Cost element | Amount (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early termination fee (12-month contract) | $224-$250 | Decreases as contract end approaches |
| Early termination fee (24-month contract) | $250-$299 | Higher fee for longer initial term |
| Early termination fee (within final 30 days) | $50-$100 | Minimal fee if cancellation is imminent |
| Cooling-off period cancellation | $0 | No fee within 10 business days of contract start |
| Standard monthly plan fee | Varies | Electricity and gas rates vary by state and plan type |
| Average annual saving (switching to competitor) | $200-$600 | Commonly offsets early exit fee within 6-12 months |
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling energy contracts involves several hidden pitfalls, and it's easy to stumble if you're not aware of them. The good news is that each of these mistakes is preventable once you know what to watch for.
Not calculating your true financial position
Many people cancel without comparing the early termination fee against the annual saving their new plan offers. If you exit Just Energy for a competitor at a saving of AUD $25 per month (AUD $300 per year) but pay an early termination fee of AUD $299, you break even in just 12 months. After that, you're ahead. But if your saving is only AUD $10 per month, the math doesn't work for at least 2 to 3 years.
Use an energy comparison website to calculate your estimated annual bill with your current plan and your target plan. Subtract the early termination fee from your annual saving to confirm the net benefit before you cancel.
Cancelling outside the cooling-off period without written proof
Phone cancellations made after the 10 business day cooling-off window are binding only if you have documented evidence. If you call Just Energy and nobody sends you a cancellation confirmation email, the company can later claim it never received your request or processed it incorrectly. Always follow up a phone call with written communication (email or post) within 24 hours.
Tocancel strongly recommends using the online form or post method for all cancellations after the cooling-off period ends, because these create automatic digital or postal records.
Missing your desired cancellation date
Just Energy needs 3 to 5 business days to process a cancellation request once received. If you submit your request on a Friday afternoon, processing may not begin until Monday or Tuesday. If you request an exit date of the following Monday, the company may miss your deadline and charge you for an extra week.
Submit your cancellation request at least 10 business days before your desired exit date to ensure the company has adequate processing time.
Not switching to a new provider in time
Some customers cancel Just Energy but then delay signing up with a new retailer. This creates a gap where you're either without energy supply or reverting to your regional retailer's higher default rates. Arrange your new contract to begin on or before your Just Energy exit date.
Your new retailer manages the meter transfer automatically, so there's no risk of supply interruption if you time the switch correctly.
Ignoring billing disputes after cancellation
Your final bill is the last place Just Energy can charge you wrongly. Some customers receive final bills with inflated early termination fees or charges for days after cancellation and simply pay without querying. If your final bill seems wrong, contact Just Energy within 10 business days and request an itemised explanation.
Disputes raised outside the 10 business day window are harder to resolve and may require escalation to the ombudsman, which takes longer and causes stress.
Checklist: cancelling Just Energy step by step
Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect your consumer rights throughout the process.
| Task | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Verify you're past the 10-day cooling-off period (or use it if within window) | Before submitting cancellation | ☐ |
| Calculate the early termination fee using Just Energy's quote | Before submitting cancellation | ☐ |
| Compare annual bills with your target new provider | Before submitting cancellation | ☐ |
| Gather your account number, meter reference, and billing address | Before submitting cancellation | ☐ |
| Submit cancellation request via phone, post, or online form | At least 10 business days before desired exit date | ☐ |
| Follow up with written confirmation (email) within 24 hours if you phoned | Within 1 business day of phone call | ☐ |
| Retain all cancellation confirmations and reference numbers | Throughout cancellation process | ☐ |
| Arrange new energy retailer connection for same date as Just Energy exit | Within 5 business days of Just Energy confirmation | ☐ |
| Receive and review your final bill from Just Energy | Within 30 days of cancellation date | ☐ |
| Check final bill for errors (early termination fee, charges after exit date) | Within 10 business days of receiving bill | ☐ |
| Dispute any billing errors in writing if identified | Within 10 business days of receiving bill | ☐ |
| Escalate to Australian Energy Regulator Ombudsman if dispute unresolved | If company rejects dispute after 10 business days | ☐ |
Refunds and what to expect after final billing
Once your final bill is issued, any credit balance in your account must be refunded to you. Tocancel advises you to confirm the refund timeline and method when you cancel.
Refund timeline and methods
Just Energy must refund any credit balance within 30 days of your final billing date. The company typically refunds via bank transfer to the account you've used for bill payments, or via cheque if you request it. Confirm the refund method and estimated date before you exit.
If you've paid an advance or have an outstanding rebate, Just Energy should offset the early termination fee or credit your final bill. Ask the company to apply any credits to your early termination fee first, minimizing what you owe.
Pursuing refunds if payment is delayed
If your refund hasn't arrived 35 days after your final bill, contact Just Energy in writing and request immediate payment plus interest (calculated at the Reserve Bank rate). If the company continues to delay, escalate your complaint to the Australian Energy Regulator's Retail Ombudsman Service, which can order Just Energy to pay your refund plus compensation for the inconvenience.
Document every attempt to recover your refund, because these records become evidence if you need ombudsman support.
How to lodge a formal complaint if Just Energy refuses to cooperate
If Just Energy ignores your cancellation request, overcharges you, or refuses to address a billing dispute, you have a clear escalation pathway.
Internal dispute resolution process
Just Energy must have an internal complaints process that responds to your dispute within 10 business days. Submit your complaint in writing (email or post) to the company's customer service team. State the issue clearly, reference your cancellation date or bill reference, and specify the resolution you're seeking.
If Just Energy doesn't respond within 10 business days or rejects your complaint, move to the next step.
Australian Energy regulator escalation
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) operates a free Retail Ombudsman Service that investigates complaints about retail energy providers, including billing disputes, cancellation delays, and fee challenges. You can lodge a complaint at any time, but it's best to exhaust Just Energy's internal process first (or after 10 business days if the company doesn't respond).
Visit aer.gov.au to lodge your complaint online, or call 1800 931 357. Provide all documentation: your cancellation request, the company's responses, your final bill, and evidence of the issue.
The ombudsman can order Just Energy to refund overcharges, reduce or waive early termination fees, and pay compensation of up to AUD $10,000 for loss and inconvenience. This process is free and doesn't prevent you from taking legal action later if needed.
Summary and key takeaways
Cancelling your Just Energy contract is straightforward if you follow the right steps and know your consumer rights. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel energy contracts across Australia without paying unfair fees or missing critical deadlines.
Your action plan
First, calculate whether cancelling makes financial sense by comparing early termination fees against your annual saving with a new provider. Second, submit your cancellation request at least 10 business days before your desired exit date using the method that provides the strongest written record: post or online form. Third, arrange your new energy connection to start on or before your Just Energy exit date, and review your final bill carefully when it arrives.
If Just Energy resists your cancellation, overcharges you, or fails to process your request, escalate to the Australian Energy Regulator's Retail Ombudsman Service. Your consumer rights are backed by law, and the ombudsman enforces them at no cost.
Contact information for Just Energy cancellation
Phone: 1300 318 799 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Australian Eastern Time)
Post: Just Energy, PO Box 173, Niddrie VIC 3042, Australia
Online enquiry form: justenergy.com.au/contact-us
Australian Energy Regulator complaint: aer.gov.au or 1800 931 357
Tocancel empowers you to take control of your energy contract and switch to a provider that better suits your needs and budget. Whether you're cancelling within the cooling-off period or paying an early termination fee, you now have the knowledge and checklist to complete the process confidently. Tocancel is your partner in protecting your consumer rights every step of the way.