Crackdown on $1000 power bill late fees

Sneaky late payment fees on electricity bills will be a thing of the past if the energy market regulator accepts the federal government's request for a change to rules.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor has asked the Australian Energy Market Commission to end the practice of power companies charging hefty late fees if customers pay late or fail to meet other conditions on bills under discount plans.

The late fees affect about one in four customers and can add between $500 and $1000 a year to the annual bill for households who miss just one payment due date.