In this Canstar Blue report, we show consumers in South Australia what they can expect to pay for natural gas in the state. We also share what households should look out for when choosing the right gas deal for them.
Many South Australians rely on natural gas to heat and power their homes, and given the trajectory electricity rates have taken in the past few years, gas bills can add further pressure to already tight household budgets. While the retail gas market is not as competitive as electricity, customers can still find a cheap deal on gas, provided a little homework is done.
That’s where this page comes into good use. To help make it easier for customers to compare gas prices in South Australia, Canstar Blue has created a list of cheap SA gas plans. The prices below are based on a set of assumptions and apply to a specific household in the Adelaide area, so please treat this information as a general guide only.
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Which providers offer the cheapest gas prices in Adelaide?
Our price calculations suggest that Alinta Energy, Lumo Energy and CovaU Energy currently provide the cheapest natural gas deals in South Australia, according to this specific comparison. Keep in mind that gas prices can change frequently, and remember that costs will vary according to usage habits so it’s important to compare using your billing information.
Most homes in South Australia will be supplied gas via the Australian Gas Networks (AGN) – a distribution network consisting of more than 7,500 kilometres of pipes. Before we have a look at retailers and their prices, it’s important to note that bills are made up of three components – extraction and generation costs, transmission and distribution costs, and retail costs. In the tables below, we assume household gas usage of 11,875MJ a year, but remember that households have different gas consumption needs. Our price assumptions should be used as a general indicator of prices which are currently available from retailers on our database. Calculations factor in usage and supply rates, plus any conditional discounts available on the provider’s cheapest market offer.
Homesaver (Alinta Energy)
Here is Alinta Energy’s cheapest natural gas plan on our database for South Australia. This is a product from a referral partner†. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Basic (Lumo Energy)
Here is Lumo Energy’s cheapest natural gas plan on our database for South Australia. This is a product from a referral partner†. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Freedom (CovaU Energy)
Here is CovaU Energy’s cheapest natural gas plan on our database for South Australia. This is a product from a referral partner†. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Compare other cheap gas plans in SA
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
How to choose a good gas plan
While you may be naturally attracted to big discounts, it’s worth checking out the base rates of a gas plan. Some retailers may advertise large flashy discounts to gain your business, but these could be hiding inflated rates, or may be only available if you pay a certain way (i.e. by direct debit). Failing to meet the conditions of a discount could see you paying much for gas than you need to.
Another important aspect of a gas bill is the benefit period, which is basically how long you’ll receive a discount for, or other incentives, like bill credits. Benefit periods normally only last for one or two years, meaning you could be moved onto a standard offer with higher rates and no discount once the period has lapsed. Aside from discounts, some gas retailers are now offering once-off or ongoing bill credits, access to their rewards programs, and even a sports streaming subscription. Most of this information also applies when searching for cheaper electricity prices in SA.
Understanding your gas bill
When looking for a cheap gas deal, it helps to know which charges mean what on your monthly or quarterly bill. The bulk of what you pay will usually come down to usage and supply charges, but depending on your gas retailer, there may be other costs involved.
- Usage charges: This charge is the price households pay for using natural gas and is measured in megajoules (MJ). Gas usage charges will either be billed at the same rate (flat/single rate), or will be charged in blocks (block rate tariff). Block rate tariffs charge customers at different rates based on the quantity of gas they use. For example, a rate of 3c/MJ may apply to the first 20MJ block, while the next 20MJ used is charged at a rate of 2.5c/MJ.
- Supply charges: This is a daily charge that covers the cost of supplying natural gas to a home. It is typically around 70 to 80 cents a day, and will be charged to a bill regardless of how much gas is used.
- Discounts: Many plans include a percentage off bills provided customers have met the conditions of a discount. Conditions may include paying bills on time, paying by direct debit, or signing up online. Also, be sure to find out whether the discount applies to both usage and supply charges, or just the usage charges. This information can be found in the fine print of each gas plan.
- Other fees and charges: By checking the breakdown of charges on your bill, you may notice other fees and expenses listed. These may relate to credit card surcharges, late payment fees, paper billing fees or connection charges.
Type of gas contracts in South Australia
There are two types of natural gas contracts in South Australia – market contracts and standard contracts.
- Market contracts: The vast majority of residential gas customers in SA are connected to a market contract or ‘market offer’. These are plans with prices and conditions set by the natural gas retailer, which are usually more competitive than standard contracts. Customers on market contracts will, however, have to be wary of price changes and benefit periods.
- Standard contracts: A standard gas contract is a government-regulated contract that customers are likely to be on if they have never switched gas suppliers, or they haven’t jumped ship in several years. About one in 10 SA households are currently on standard contracts.
Is gas cheaper than electricity?
There are many variables at play when determining which source of energy is cheaper to power your home. For instance, households with high gas usage may benefit from lower overall costs than electricity due to cheaper usage prices. Given that the average electricity usage rate in SA is about 33c per kWh – and the gas usage rate is approximately 4c per MJ – an argument for natural gas seems like a no brainer. But, it’s the supply charges of natural gas which makes it all a little more complicated, given that you’ll also be paying for electricity supply charges.
Gas can be a viable alternative to electricity for some household appliances, such as hot water systems and heaters, particularly if customers have higher gas consumption needs. For those with lower gas usage needs, you could be better off switching all appliances to electric.
Learn more about your home fuel type options by checking out our natural gas vs electricity guide.
Which gas supplier is rated highest in SA?
Regardless of which gas retailer you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the quality of your supply will not be affected by your decision. However, just because the natural gas supplied to your home comes from the same pipes, doesn’t mean prices are all set in stone. There are numerous offers from gas suppliers in South Australia, and if price alone can’t help you narrow your choices, then perhaps it’s time to look at other features, like customer service or online tools. To find out who is king of gas in SA, read our annual review of suppliers via the link below.
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