Canstar Blue explores what electricity sign-up incentives and promotions are currently being offered around Australia. These can be anything from online sign-up credits to frequent flyer points.
Power prices only ever seem to go in one direction, but the energy retailers will do almost anything to get you on board, which means there are opportunities to secure a better deal. While it’s always crucial to compare electricity plans on price, you may also find various other value-add incentives to sweeten a deal. It’s probably best not to be overly swayed by gimmicks, but if you find two comparable plans, these incentives can be a good point of difference.
So, what sign-up incentives and special deals are available in your state? Check by clicking the appropriate link below. Please note, this page may not cover all deals available in your area. Always check retailer websites before making a purchase decision.
Latest switching deals and promotions in Australia:
New South Wales electricity prices
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
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15% Less than reference price |
$1,553 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,498 Price/year (estimated) |
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29% Less than reference price |
$1,301 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
New South Wales energy deals
Energy customers in New South Wales have a wide variety of different sign-up incentives currently on offer. Here is a selection of some of the promotions. These deals are current as of May 2024.
- AGL is giving customers a one-off $200 bill credit when they sign up to the Netflix or Value Saver offers. Customers who do sign up to the Netflix Plan will also receive a Netflix Standard with ads subscription as part of the offer.
- Alinta Energy is giving customers on its Homesaver plan a $100 bonus credit, provided the customer hasn’t received any prior bonus credit in 12 months. Customer must receive communications and bills electronically.
- CovaU is offering a $50 refer a friend credit. The $50 offer is available both to the referring customer and their friend after switching electricity to a CovaU plan.
- Diamond Energy’s new customers can receive $35 off their first bill if they’ve been referred by a friend, benefiting the person on the referring end, as they receive a 2% ongoing discount on their bills.
- EnergyAustralia is offering customers a $200 sign-up credit for its Flexi Plan plus a $100 sign-up credit for each new gas account. It’s also offering $100 sign-up credit for its Rate Fix or Solar Max plans. EnergyAustralia also claim a guaranteed discount of 18%, excluding GreenPower or late payment fees.
- Energy Locals is crediting customers with $50 on their bill if they successfully refer a friend to the provider. New Online Member plan customers receive six months free membership to be applied as monthly instalments of $16.49 to the account following successful transfer or connection.
- Engie’s Perks plan includes a 12-month My NRMA membership. It is also offering a 15% guaranteed discount off its NRMA and GreenPower NRMA electricity usage and supply charges and 14% its GreenPower and Saver plans.
- GloBird offers a range of conditional bill discounts for direct debit and paying on time on its Glosave, Green Light, Glogreen, Solar Plus and Ultrasave plans.
- Kogan Energy is giving all new customers who sign up to its Kogan Energy with Free First product a complimentary 12-month membership to Kogan First – a discount and reward system for shoppers. If you are already a Kogan First member and sign up to this deal, you can score yourself a one-off $99 bill credit.
- Nectr is giving $50 credit to new customers who sign up to the 100% Clean offer. This credit will be applied to the customer’s second bill with the retailer. An additional $50 credit can also be scored by signing up to the retailer through a valid refer a friend link.
- Origin is offering all new customers who sign up to the Go Variable or Everyday Rewards Variable plans $200 in bill credit, if their plan is active on July 1, 2024. Additionally, new customers who sign up to the Everyday Rewards Variable plan could earn up to 10,000 Everyday Rewards points to use at participating Woolworths group stores when signing up to both electricity and gas (5,000 per energy type). Customers will also receive one point for every $1 charged on their bill, with a further 2,000 points on the line for those that opt into Origin’s Go Zero Electricity carbon offset scheme. Existing customers can earn 2,500 each for signing up to electricity and natural gas.
- OVO Energy is giving new customers who stay for at least three months a welcome credit of $150 on its The One Plan.
- Red Energy is awarding new customers with Qantas points through its Qantas Red Saver plan. New sign-ups will receive 10,000 Qantas points for electricity, 5,000 for gas as well as two points per $1 spent on energy bills that are paid on time. The Red Taronga Flex plan gives customers a Taronga Zoo Family Flex membership, which allows park access for one adult and any children under the age of 16 from the same household. Those who refer a friend to the retailer could also nab themselves an extra 1,500 Qantas points, or a $25 eGift Card, if they aren’t on the Qantas Red Saver product.
- Sumo are offering an 11% guarantee discount on its electrical daily supply and usage rates for its Sumo Assure plan.
While these promotions sound tempting, it’s important to first compare plans based on standard prices and conditions. You can see how the retailers featured above compare to others on price with our New South Wales price comparison report.
Victorian electricity prices
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
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22% Less than VDO |
$1,225 Price/year (estimated) |
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21% Less than VDO | $1,241 Price/year (estimated) | Go to Site |
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35% Less than VDO | $1,020 Price/year (estimated) | Go to Site |
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. Costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
Victorian energy deals
Households in Victoria have a similar list of promotional power deals as those in New South Wales, but with a few notable additions. These deals are current as of May 2024.
- 1st Energy is offering a guaranteed 15% discount off the market contract usage rates.
- AGL is offering new customers a $150 credit when they sign up to the Value Saver or Netflix Plan. Customers who sign up for AGL’s Netflix Plan will also receive a Netflix Standard with ads subscription as part of the offer.
- Alinta Energy is giving customers on its new Homesaver offer a $100 bonus credit, provided the customer hasn’t received any prior bonus credit in 12 months. Customer must receive communications and bills electronically.
- Arcline by RACV is offering new customers who sign up via refer a friend with a $50 credit. To receive this credit, customers will need to mention an existing Arcline by RACV customer’s name when signing up.
- CovaU claims to offer a 27% guaranteed discount on total usages for its Super Saver plan, excluding the GreenPower component.
- Diamond Energy has a 2% discount on its Everyday Renewable Saver plan called ‘Thrive’, as well as a 2% Pay on Time discount for customers who agree to receiving emailed invoices. Customers can also receive $35 off their first bill if they’ve been referred by a friend.
- Energy Locals’ Online Member – Summer Special plan currently offers $150 in loyalty credit for customers who stay with the retailer for six months. Customers can also be eligible for an additional $50 credit at sign-up on all market offers if they mention an existing customer by name.
- EnergyAustralia is offering customers a $100 sign-up credit for its Flexi Plan, a $100 sign-up credit for each new energy account and a 26% guaranteed discount. It’s also offering a $50 sign-up credit for its Rate Fix or Solar Max plans for each new energy account plus a guaranteed 8% electricity discount and a 9% gas discount for its Rate Fix Plan.
- Engie has an interesting deal available for Victorians with its Movie Perks plan. This plan rewards customers with Village Cinema rewards points, to the total of 12,000 a year for electricity (1,000 each month) and another 12,000 rewards points a year for gas. This offer also comes with a guaranteed 8% discount off usage charges and a $200 welcome credit. For those interested in becoming an NRMA member, the retailer offers a 12-month complimentary My NRMA membership to eligible customers through its Engie Perks plan.
- GloBird offers a range of conditional bill credits for direct debit and paying on time on its Glosave, Green Light, Glogreen and Suresave plans.
- Kogan Energy is giving all new customers who sign up to its Kogan Energy with Free First product a complimentary 12-month membership to Kogan First – a discount and reward system for shoppers. If you are already a Kogan First member and sign up to this deal, you’ll earn yourself a one-off $99 bill credit.
- Nectr is giving $50 credit to new customers who sign up to the 100% Clean offer. This credit will be applied to the customer’s second bill with the retailer. An additional $50 credit can also be scored by signing up to the retailer through a valid refer a friend link.
- Origin’s Everyday Rewards plan offers up to 5,000 Everyday Rewards points for each power type, and an extra point for every dollar spent on a customer’s bill. With a further 2,000 points on the line for those that opt into Origin’s Go Zero Electricity carbon offset scheme.
- OVO Energy is giving new customers who stay for at least three months a welcome credit of $150 on its The One Plan.
- Red Energy has a new deal for Victorians who love Qantas points. Bill payers who sign-up to the Qantas Red Saver plan will receive 10,000 Qantas points when they first sign up, as well as two points per $1 spent on energy bills. Those who refer a friend to the retailer could also nab themselves an extra 1,500 Qantas points, or a $25 eGift Card, if they aren’t on the Qantas Red Saver product.
- Sumo is giving new customers $100 in bill credit when they sign up to the Sumo Lite or Sumo Assure plans with the promo code ELEC100. This credit will be paid in $25 increments over customers’ first four bills.
Victorians are well-accustomed to headline-grabbing energy promotions, but it’s still worth saying that consumers should compare plans based on price before thinking too much about extra incentives. However, some promotions will have a direct impact on costs, so it’s definitely worth paying attention to what’s on offer. Compare the providers mentioned above to others in the state with our Victorian price comparison report.
Queensland electricity prices
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
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15% Less than reference price |
$1,675 Price/year (estimated) |
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10% Less than reference price |
$1,772 Price/year (estimated) |
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28% Less than reference price |
$1,422 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
Queensland energy deals
Queenslanders have become spoilt for choice when it comes to electricity retailers, with some offering a little extra to sweeten the deal. Here is a selection of promotions. These deals are current as of May 2024.
- 1st Energy is offering a guaranteed 7% discount off the market contract usage rates and a $150 credit applied to the second month of billing.
- AGL is offering up to $200 in credit for customers who sign-up for Value Saver or Netflix plans. Customers who sign up to AGL’s Netflix Plan will also receive a subscription for Netflix Standard with ads as part of the offer.
- Alinta Energy is giving customers on its new Homesaver plan a $50 bonus credit, provided the customer hasn’t received any prior bonus credit in 12 months.
- Ampol Energy is helping households save at the bowser with a 10c off per litre discount for customers who sign up to its Powering On plan in the state. This discount is eligible on up to 1,500 litres of fuel each year.
- CovaU is offering a $50 refer a friend credit. The $50 offer is available both to the referring customer and their friend after switching electricity to a CovaU plan. It is also offering a guaranteed discount of 20% of total usages on its Freedom Plan.
- Diamond Energy’s new customers can receive $35 off their first bill if they’ve been referred by a friend, benefiting the person on the referring end, as they receive a 2% ongoing discount on their bills.
- Energy Locals’ customers can be eligible for a $50 credit at sign-up on all market offers if they mention an existing customer by name.
- EnergyAustralia has a guaranteed discount of 5% for its Rate Fix plan and a 9% guaranteed discount for its Flexi Plan.
- Engie offers a 12-month complimentary My NRMA membership with one of its electricity plans, available to eligible customers through the Engie Perks plan as well as a 19% guaranteed discount of 20%. Its GreenPower and Saver plans have a guaranteed discount of 19%.
- GloBird offers a range of conditional bill credits for direct debit and paying on time on its Glosave, Green Light, Glogreen and Ultrasave plans.
- Kogan Energy’s latest product Kogan Energy with Free First is awarding new sign-ups with a 12-month complimentary membership to Kogan First – a discounts and rewards system for shoppers. For those already a member of Kogan First, a $99 one-off bill credit will be awarded instead of the membership.
- Nectr is giving $50 credit to new customers who sign up to the 100% Clean offer. This credit will be applied to the customer’s second bill with the retailer. An additional $50 credit can also be scored by signing up to the retailer through a valid refer a friend link.
- Origin is offering a $200 bill credit for new customers on its Go Variable and Everyday Rewards Variable plans, provided the plan is still active on July 1, 2024. Origin’s Everyday Rewards plan also offers up to 5,000 Everyday Rewards points for each power type, and an extra point for every dollar spent on a customer’s bill.
- OVO Energy is giving new customers who stay for at least three months a welcome credit of $150 on its The One Plan.
- Powershop’s new Switch Saver offer is giving customers a one-off bill credit worth $150. Households will need to be a new Powershop customer in order to be eligible for the credit.
- Red Energy is offering new sign-ups in Queensland the opportunity to earn Qantas frequent flyer points on its Qantas Red Saver plan. All customers who sign up will not only receive 10,000 Qantas points, but a further two points per $1 spent on energy bills. A further 1,500 bonus Qantas Points, or a $25 eGift card, can also be earned by those who refer a friend to the retailer.
There is often not much difference in price between retailers in Queensland, meaning any extra incentives can prove a helpful point of difference when comparing plans and providers. Nevertheless it is still important to review standard prices to get an idea of what you can expect to pay long after the promotion has gone. See what the providers mentioned above are offering in the state with our Queensland price comparison report.
South Australia electricity prices
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
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5% Less than reference price |
$2,165 Price/year (estimated) |
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7% Less than reference price |
$2,120 Price/year (estimated) |
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13% Less than reference price |
$1,981 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.
SA energy deals
South Australians get a bad energy deal when it comes to standard prices. They also currently have few extra incentives to consider when comparing plans. Here is a selection of what’s available. These deals are current as of May 2024.
- AGL is giving new customers who sign up to its Value Saver and Netflix plans a $200 credit. Customers who sign up for the Netflix Plan will also receive a subscription to Netflix Standard with ads.
- Alinta Energy is giving customers on its Homesaver plan a $50 bonus credit, provided the customer hasn’t received any prior bonus credit in 12 months.
- Diamond Energy customers can claim a $35 credit off their first bill by signing up with a referral code. Once successful, the friend who supplied the referral will receive an ongoing 2% discount off their bills.
- EnergyLocals is offering customers a $50 credit when they sign up using a refer a friend link from an existing customer.
- GloBird offers a range of conditional bill credits for direct debit and paying on time on its Glosave, Green Light, Glogreen and Ultrasave plans.
- Kogan Energy is giving all bill-payers who sign up to the retailer’s latest product Kogan Energy with Free First a 12-month complimentary membership to Kogan First – a discounts and rewards program for shoppers. For those already a member of Kogan First, a $99 one-off bill credit will be awarded instead of the membership.
- Lumo Energy customers can earn a $25 eGift card for signing up with a referral code. This applies to both the new sign up and the person who referred them. SA Lumo customers also have access to the retailer’s Lumo Rewards program, which awards discounts on everything from dining to travel.
- Origin is offering an online-only $200 bill credit for new customers on its Go Variable and Everyday Rewards Variable plans, provided the plan is still active on July 1, 2024. Origin’s Everyday Rewards plan also offers up to 5,000 Everyday Rewards points for each power type, and an extra point for every dollar spent on a customer’s bill.
- OVO Energy is giving new customers who stay for at least three months a welcome credit of $150 on its The One Plan.
- Red Energy is a provider offering great sign-up incentives to those who can’t resist rewards points. All customers who sign up to the Qantas Red Saver plan will receive 10,000 Qantas points, as well as two points per $1 spent on energy bills. Those who refer a friend to the retailer could also earn themselves a further 1,500 Qantas points, or a $25 eGift card.
We all love a bonus, but don’t let that allure you into a bad energy deal. See how South Australia electricity retailers compare with our South Australia price comparison table.
What’s the deal with energy promotions?
Perhaps the most obvious trend to emerge from this review is that most promotions are only available online. While this is great for web-savvy consumers looking to compare the best deals, it’s not such good news for those who aren’t able to go online, or find the idea of comparing plans too daunting.
For those engaged in the energy market, there are certainly some interesting offers to consider. Red Energy arguably stands out for offering plans tailored to frequent flyers, which appear to bring a tangible value add, while Energy Locals’ refer a friend deals could prove profitable if you can persuade enough people to follow your lead. That said, you should be open with them about your intentions.
It’s hugely important not to get too carried away with promotions and to compare plans based on their standard pricing and conditions first. If you find two similar products and can’t decide between them, then incentives are worth considering to sweeten the deal.
Image credits: greenbutterfly/Shutterstock.com
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