Compare Energy Plans

How Canstar Blue compares electricity providers and plans

Canstar Blue compares electricity plans from 36 providers across Australia to help you find a better deal. Prices are updated as soon as we are made aware of changes. We also publish customer satisfaction ratings to help you compare providers on factors including customer service, billing and value for money.

Our electricity comparison site includes a unique ‘value score’ feature that lists plans based on which offer the best overall value, rather than just the cheapest prices. The value score is a rating out of 10, combining price and features data to help you make an informed decision about your next electricity provider.

Click here for more details on our pricing and value scores methodology.

Canstar Blue compares plans and prices from 36 electricity providers across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. Providers compared are:

• 1st Energy
• ActewAGL
• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• Amaysim Energy
• Aurora Energy
• Click Energy
• Commander
• CovaU
• DC Power Co
• Diamond Energy
• Discover Energy
• Dodo Power & Gas
• Elysian Energy
• EnergyAustralia
• Energy Locals
• Enova Energy
• Future X Power
• GloBird Energy
• Kogan Energy
• LPE
• Lumo Energy
• Mojo Power
• Momentum Energy
• Origin Energy
• People Energy
• Pooled Energy
• Powerclub
• Powerdirect
• Powershop
• QEnergy
• ReAmped Energy
• Red Energy
• Simply Energy
• Sumo
• Tango Energy

Not all providers operate in all states.

Our electricity comparison site is free to use, and we’ll never ask for your phone number!

How to use our electricity compare tool

Canstar Blue exists to help you compare electricity plans on the premise of both price and overall best value. By inputting a few details about your location and electricity usage, our comparison tool will present you with estimated prices from a range of retailers available in your area to help you choose a better value plan.

To compare electricity plans, enter your postcode into our comparison tool and select your suburb from the drop-down list. If you have a recent bill handy, you can input your energy usage details for the most accurate quotes. If you don’t have a bill, you can fill out our questionnaire to see estimated quotes based on the information provided.

When comparing electricity plans on Canstar Blue, you’ll be guided to answer questions such as how many people live in your home, whether you have a gas connection or pool, and whether you have a controlled load, in order to show the plans and prices most relevant to you. At no point do you have to enter your mobile number.

You will see a list of some of the electricity plans available in your area. By clicking on two or three of them, you can use our three-way compare tool to dive deeper into the specific details of each plan. This allows you to directly compare the usage and supply rates, as well as any discounts and solar feed-in tariffs that may be available.

How we’re different from other comparison sites

We are not a sales agent for energy retailers and we do not sell directly to consumers. Canstar Blue is a comparison site that enables consumers to freely compare energy offers in their area based on published pricing from energy retailers.

Our aim is to show as much of the energy market as possible to help you make an informed decision about which provider is best for you, based on price but also customer satisfaction and other features.

We’re energy experts

From Canstar Blue Editor-in-Chief, Simon Downes

“Canstar Blue gives Aussies the power to find a better deal across more than 100 different goods and services – but helping consumers find a better energy deal is one of our greatest passions. We do this by publishing detailed energy price comparison tables to show you where to find the cheapest prices in your area, as well as providing detailed guides on the energy providers competing for your business, so you can make an informed decision about which best meets your needs as a customer.

“On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the energy providers and prices currently on offer in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia. We’ll also explain everything you need to know about comparing energy in these areas, including what options are available to you, the kinds of plans you can expect to find, as well as details on the regulated price caps in your area.

“Comparing energy providers and plans has long had a reputation as a difficult, confusing thing to do. But at Canstar Blue, we’re experts in making sense of the complicated, and there’s nothing we know more about than energy. Read on for details in your area – and please get in touch with any feedback you have because we’re always trying to make our website better.”

The pricing below is based on a selected postcode in each state and compared to the Reference Price or Victorian Default Offer (VDO). Use our comparison tool for specific pricing in your area.

• NSW: Prices assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,467/year.
• VIC: Prices assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning the VDO is $1,334/year.
• QLD: Prices assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,570/year.
• SA: Prices assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,941/year.
• TAS: Prices assume general energy usage of 6775kWh/year (three-person household)
• ACT: Prices assume general energy usage of 5499kWh/year (three-person household)

1st Energy

1st Energy operates across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania, with one or two electricity market offers in each state. It is one of several retailers that uses large conditional discounts as its main market tool and often provides the biggest headlines discounts in each state that it services. But keep in mind that the biggest discounts don’t always mean the biggest savings. When it comes to 1st Energy, discounts are conditional on paying bills in full and on time. In most cases, discounts are ongoing. All plans have variable rates. 1st Energy also has a solar specific plan in Tasmania with a seemingly generous feed-in tariff.

1st Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	1st Saver Conditional Discounts 7% less than Reference Price for paying on time	Equal To Reference Price^^	$1,370 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

1st Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	1st Saver Conditional Discounts 4% less than VDO for paying on time	EqualTo VDO›	$1,286 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

1st Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	1st Saver Conditional Discounts 5% less than Reference Price for paying on time	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,493 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

1st Energy Prices Tasmania

Brand	Features	Benefit Period	Annual Cost**
Basic Plan Information	1st Plus $100 bill credit over 12 months	1 YearBenefit Period	$2,165Annual Cost**	More Details
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ActewAGL

ActewAGL is a joint-venture between the ACT government and AGL, with the retailer dominating the ACT residential market, while also operating in parts of NSW. ActewAGL is also associated with EvoEnergy, the energy distributor for the majority of the territory, responsible for maintaining the poles, wires, meters and all other components that make it possible to deliver power to your home. ActewAGL usually has two or three market electricity offers depending on the area, usually with discounts, but the bigger discount is conditional on direct debit payments or if customers pay on time once signing up to online billing.

Brand	Features	Benefit Period	Annual Cost**
Basic Plan Information	Home No conditional discount	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,821Annual Cost^^	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

AGL

Energy giant AGL provides two to three electricity market offers across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. These include one fixed rate plans plus one variable rate product. In Victoria, AGL also has a prepaid electricity plan whereby customers are rewarded with cheaper bills based on how much they prepay on their account. Post July 1, AGL stopped offering plans with conditional discounts, instead opting for bill credits on some of its plans. AGL frequently offers online sign-up credit which varies between states and one of its big selling points is that customers can collect flybuys points by paying their bills on time. All AGL customers will also receive access to AGL Rewards.

AGL Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Saver Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,213 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Plus Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit and $40/year bill credit Other Features: Fixed rates for 24 months	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,227 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

AGL Prices Victoria

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Essentials Saver No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan VDO›	$1,200	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Essentials No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	8% LessThan VDO›	$1,226	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

AGL Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Saver Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,318 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Plus Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit and $40/year bill credit Other Features: Fixed rates for 24 months	8% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,372 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

AGL Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Saver Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,663 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Essentials Plus Conditional Discounts $75 online sign-up credit and $40/year bill credit Other Features: Fixed rates for 24 months	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,682 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Alinta Energy

Alinta Energy is one of Australia’s fastest growing electricity retailers – if not the fastest growing – and has an apparent focus on low prices rather than any additional incentives like some retailers. Alinta Energy typically provides one or two residential market offers across NSW, VIC, QLD and SA. In NSW, QLD and SA, Alinta is offering its No Fuss plan and in VIC a plan named Real Deal. All products have no conditional discounts and variable rates. In QLD, customers can also sign up to the No Fuss solar specific product which comes with a slightly higher solar feed-in tariff. Alinta has quickly expanded across Australia and is often one of the cheapest retailers in each state. But prices can and do change frequently, so make sure you shop around.

Alinta Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	No Fuss No Conditional Discounts	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,311	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Sports Pack No Conditional Discounts	8% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,350	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Alinta Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Real Deal No Conditional Discounts Other Features: $100 credit off first bill	Equal To VDO›	$1,334	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Sports Pack No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Includes a 12 month Kayo Basic subscription	Equal To VDO›	$1,334	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

Alinta Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	No Fuss No Conditional Discounts	15% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,340	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	No Fuss – Solar No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 11c/kWh Feed-in Tariff	Ongoing Benefit Period	$1,366	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Sports Pack No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes a 12 month Kayo Basic subscription	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,398	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Alinta Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	No Fuss No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,766	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Sports Pack No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes a 12 month Kayo Basic subscription	7% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,809	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Amaysim Energy

The company may be better known as a phone plan provider, but Amaysim Energy is now also looking to win over the electricity accounts of its customers. It’s trying to do this by promoting itself as a convenient, hassle-free alternative to the big boys. This means no “confusing” conditional discounts, no lock-in contracts and no exit fees. This is in contrast to its previous attempts to attract customers through large pay on time discounts. Amaysim now offers two variable rate market contracts, one of which is a specific deal for solar customers, bringing some relatively generous feed-in tariffs. These are the Electricity As You Go plan and Solar As You Go respectively. Amaysim Energy operates in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. In Victoria, it also offers a prepaid subscription style plan.

Amaysim Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Electricity As You Go No Conditional Discounts	1% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,475	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar As You Go No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 15c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,475	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Amaysim Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Electricity As You Go No Conditional Discounts	8% MoreThan VDO›	$1,442	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Solar As You Go No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 20c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,442	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

Amaysim Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Electricity As You Go No Conditional Discounts	2% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,605	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar As You Go No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 14c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,605	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Amaysim Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Electricity As You Go No Conditional Discounts	1% More Than Reference Price^^	$1,950	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar As You Go No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 22c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$2,023	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Aurora Energy

Aurora Energy is a state-owned electricity and gas retailer in Tasmania. Until recently, it was the only residential electricity provider in Tasmania, but this changed in early 2019 when 1st Energy became its first challenger. Aurora Energy provides a range of tariff options for Tasmania households, but its one market offer does not generally include any discounts. However, customers who sign up for direct debit billing may be eligible to receive a direct debit discount of 5.5 cents per day (inc. GST). That works out to about $20 a year.

Aurora Energy Prices TAS

Brand	Features	Benefit Period	Annual Cost**
Basic Plan Information	Residential Light & Power No conditional discount	OngoingBenefit Period	$2,265Annual Cost**	More Details
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Click Energy

Click Energy typically has one main market offer in each state that it serves – Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia – in addition to one or two specific offers for solar customers in each area. Click Energy has a habit of changing its main market offer fairly regularly, but the basics usually stay the same – mainly that it provides large conditional discounts. This changed after the introduction of the Victorian Default Offer and Reference Price, where Click now has no conditional discounts on any of its plans. Click Energy is also one of the most active electricity providers when it comes to promotional offers and other sign-up incentives, frequently offering $50 gift cards and the like. All plans have variable rates.

Click Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Banksia No Conditional Discounts	7% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,364	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Banksia Solar No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 14c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,467	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Default Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,467	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Click Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Banksia No Conditional Discounts	1% LessThan VDO›	$1,320	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Banksia Solar No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 13c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,333	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Victorian Default Offer No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,334	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

Click Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Hibiscus No Conditional Discounts	17% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,303	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Banksia Solar No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 12c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,570	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Default Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,570	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Click Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Banksia No Conditional Discounts	1% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,921	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Banksia Solar No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 17c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,940	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Default Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,940	Go To Site
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Commander

Commander is a business and residential electricity retailer servicing NSW, SA and Victoria. It only has one market contract on offer in each jurisdiction, aptly named ‘Market Offer’. The deal doesn’t have any conditional discounts and it’s on a no-contract term, so customers should be free to come and go as they please. Commander also sells phone, internet and mobile services. This allows customers to bundle their electricity and telco services, saving them the hassle of juggling multiple utilities accounts with various providers.

Commander Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,411	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Commander Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan VDO›	$1,200	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Victorian Default Offer No Conditional Discounts	3% MoreThan VDO›	$1,373	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

Commander Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	5% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,837	More Details
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CovaU

CovaU is one of a few residential power providers that began life solely servicing businesses, but has now gone more mainstream in retailing electricity to homes in New South Wales and Victoria. It also provides mobile phone plans, but when it comes to electricity, CovaU is like many retailers in that its main selling point appears to be large conditional discounts, which can be as large as 34% in Victoria. CovaU also offers a rewards program which could result in savings on things like eating out, cinema tickets, theme park tickets and gift cards.

CovaU Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Freedom Conditional Discounts Reduces to 8% less than Reference Price for paying on time Other Features: $50 credit off first bill when signing up online	23% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,352 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Freedom Solar Conditional Discounts 20% discount off whole bill for paying on time Other Features 8.5c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,441 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

CovaU Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Victorian Default Offer No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,334	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Smart Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 10% more than VDO for paying on time by direct debit	49% MoreThan VDO›	$1,473 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Smart Saver Solar Conditional Discounts 24% discount off usage charges for paying on time by direct debit Other Features: 12c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	1 YearBenefit Period	$1,626 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

DC Power Co

DC Power Co is an electricity provider that cater its offerings towards customers with solar panels. It currently operates in NSW, VIC and QLD, with one market offer in each of these states. Something to note about DC Power Co is that it operates in partnership with carbon neutral and green-friendly electricity retailer Powershop. Although you don’t need to have solar panels to sign up to DC Power Co, this provider’s market plan provides the most value to those that do, with solar system optimisation tips also available.

DC Power Co Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	5% MoreThan VDO›	$1,404	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

DC Power Co Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	4% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,531	More Details
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DC Power Co Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	21% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,905	More Details
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Diamond Energy

An electricity retailer that specialises in solar power, Diamond Energy is consistently ranked as one of the greenest energy companies in Australia, thanks largely to its ownership of renewable energy generation assets. Diamond Energy services homes across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, with just a single residential market offer usually available. This is called, quite fittingly, the Diamond Power plan, and comes with a conditional discount of 7% for paying on time, with a further 3% off for setting up direct debit. While these discounts are consistent across all states in which it serves, it’s worth noting that base rates differ. Diamond Energy may also have available a solar-specific product that provides a generous solar feed-in tariff.

Diamond Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Everyday Renewable Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 7% less than Reference Price for paying on time by direct debit	5% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,388 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Diamond Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Diamond Conditional Discounts Reduces to 1% more than VDO for paying on time by direct debit	12% MoreThan VDO›	$1,351 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

Diamond Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Everyday Renewable Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 11% less than Reference Price for paying on time by direct debit	1% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,399 incl. conditional discount	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Diamond Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Diamond Standard No Conditional Discounts	1% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,914	More Details
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Discover Energy

Newcomer on the block, Discover Energy, is an electricity and solar provider for customers in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. The company claims to be ‘100% Australian-owned’, putting green energy at the ‘forefront of its business’. Discover Energy generally offers two or three market offers in the states it services, giving customers a guaranteed discount off usage charges, as well as competitive electricity rates.

Discover Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Ultimate Offer No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Online sign-up only	15% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,249	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Economy No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Online sign-up only	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,294	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar Boost No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 11.5c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,479	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Discover Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Ultimate Offer No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Online sign-up only	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,404	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Economy No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Online sign-up only	8% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,440	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar Boost No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 11.5c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	OngoingBenefit Period	$1,585	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Discover Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Ultimate Offer No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Online sign-up only	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,741	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Economy No Conditional Discounts Other Features:  Online sign-up only	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,772	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Dodo Power & Gas

Perhaps better-known as a phone and internet provider, Dodo also wants to sell you electricity and gas. Dodo Power & Gas operates across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, with just a single market offer in each state. Depending on the state you’re in, you could be looking at a sizeable amount off the reference price. In the past, conditional discounts of up to 40% have been available from Dodo, namely in Victoria, but like many others, the retailer has moved on to provide no conditional discounts, just lower base rates. 

Dodo Power & Gas Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,411	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			**^^View important information

Dodo Power & Gas Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan VDO›	$1,200	More Details
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Dodo Power & Gas Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	6% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,472	More Details
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Dodo Power & Gas Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts	5% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,835	More Details
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Elysian Energy

One of a new breed of energy retailer, Elysian Energy provides prepaid power options for customers in Victoria. The idea is that households select one of four prepaid packs with varying amounts of power to use each month. These include either 200kWh, 400kWh, 800kWh or 1,200kWh, with Elysian shifting customers onto the most appropriate plan once their usage needs are understood. There are no discounts involved with Elysian Energy, although it does offer a refer a friend deal that sees existing customers pocket $30 in power credit when their friend signs up.

Elysian Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	The Good Life No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes 800kWh/month	15% LessThan VDO›	$1,136	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	The Minimalist No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes 200kWh/month	15% LessThan VDO›	$1,138	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	A New Chapter No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes 400kWh/month	14% LessThan VDO›	$1,147	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	The Full House No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Includes 1,200kWh/month	14% LessThan VDO›	$1,142	More Details
View all electricity plans listed on Canstar Blue			˜›View important information

EnergyAustralia

One of Australia’s biggest electricity and gas retailers, EnergyAustralia operates across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. It offers three electricity products in each state, two of which bring fixed usage and supply rates, and all with no conditional discounts. The fixed rate plans, No Frills and Total Plan Home, have benefit periods of 12 months. The biggest difference between the two is that the Total Plan includes a guaranteed/unconditional discount that applies to both usage and supply rates. EA has also recently launched a ‘Basic Home’ power deal with variable rates and no discounts, which sits around the Reference Price/VDO in its respective states.

EnergyAustralia Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Total Plan Home No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	13% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,276	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	No Frills No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,284	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	Basic Home No Conditional Discounts	1% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,479	Go to Site
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EnergyAustralia Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	No Frills No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	6% LessThan VDO›	$1,249	Go to Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Total Plan Home No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	6% LessThan VDO›	$1,253	Go to Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Basic Home No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,334	Go to Site
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EnergyAustralia Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Total Plan Home No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	10% Less Than Reference Price^^	$1,409	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	No Frills No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	10% Less Than Reference Price^^	$1,411	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	Basic Home No Conditional Discounts	1% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,581	Go to Site
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EnergyAustralia Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	No Frills No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,871	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	Total Plan Home No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	3% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,875	Go to Site
Basic Plan Information	Basic Home No Conditional Discounts	3% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,991	Go to Site
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Energy Locals

One of just a few energy retailers that doesn’t get involved in conditional discounts, Energy Locals currently serves New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT with a handful of market offers for prospective customers to consider, in addition to a membership-based deal that sees households pay a weekly fee to receive access to cheaper rates. The company claims its purpose is to make energy retail less confusing and to save Aussies from the big power company “fat cats” chasing profits. Energy Locals says it doesn’t profit from the energy usage of customers and never changes its prices for profits.

Energy Locals Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Online Saver Conditional Discounts $84/year bonus credit for paying on time	8% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,268 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Local Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $191.88 Annual Fee	6% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,376	Go To Site
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Energy Locals Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Online Saver Conditional Discounts $84/year bonus credit for paying on time	3% LessThan VDO›	$1,214 incl. conditional discount
Energy Fact Sheet	Local Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $191.88 Annual Fee	3% LessThan VDO›	$1,294
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Energy Locals Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Online Saver Conditional Discounts $84/year bonus credit for paying on time	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,482 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Local Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $191.88 Annual Fee	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,562	Go To Site
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Energy Locals Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Online Saver Conditional Discounts $84/year bonus credit for paying on time	2% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,822	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Local Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $191.88 Annual Fee	5% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,849	Go To Site
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Enova Energy

Enova Energy is a community-owned retailer originating from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. The retailer has since expanded, offering electricity services to homes and businesses right across the three distribution networks in NSW. Enova says it’s passionate about renewable energy and giving back to the community. This is encapsulated in its two products, the Community Plus and the Enova Solar Premium. The first plan gives customers a small discount, while the solar deal gives customers a larger feed-in tariff. Enova Energy also has a number of schemes that customers can opt into that support community projects and renewable infrastructure developments. Enova Energy prices below apply to the Ausgrid network only. For more information on annual cost calculations please click here.

Enova Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Community Plus Conditional Discounts Reduces to 11% less than Reference Price for paying on time	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,308 incl. conditional discount	More Details
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Future X Power

Future X Power is a new electricity retailer that started servicing customers in NSW and south-east Queensland in 2019. According to its website, you’ll be met with a “transparent and empowering energy retail experience”, which it attributes to its online sign-up feature. This provider is currently offering one market plan in the states in which it operates, which comes with a generous pay on time discount that has an ongoing benefit period. This product also has variable rates and is available on a single rate tariff. 

Future X Power Electricity Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Flexi Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 6% less than Reference Price for paying on time	1% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,377 incl. conditional discount	More Details
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Future X Power Electricity Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Flexi Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 8% less than Reference Price for paying on time	1% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,441 incl. conditional discount	More Details
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GloBird Energy

GloBird Energy is a Victoria-based electricity and gas retailer, specialising in offering different plans for households with varying energy usage. It typically offers three electricity products, one with a large conditional discount for paying bills on time and by direct debit, and the other with no discount at all. It also offers a ‘combo’ deal for those who sign up to electricity and gas. Unlike some retailers, GloBird Energy seems purely focused on providing competitive prices rather than any other benefits or incentives. Plans come with variable rates. The retailer has revealed plans to expand to New South Wales and South Australia in the near future.

GloBird Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	EasySave No Conditional Discounts	12% LessThan VDO›	$1,173	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	GloSave Conditional Discounts Reduces to 11% less than VDO for paying on time by direct debit	5% LessThan VDO›	$1,187 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	VicSave Conditional Discounts Reduces to 1% more than VDO for direct debit payment	2% MoreThan VDO›	$1,346 incl. conditional discount	More Details
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LPE

LPE (Locality Planning Energy) has been operating as an embedded network electricity retailer for some time, but has only recently launched a mainstream retail service for all households on the Energex network in SE QLD, regardless of which type of home they have. It provides just a single market offer with no conditional discounts, just reasonable usage and supply rates.

LPE Electricity Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Principal Rate No Conditional Discounts	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,393	More Details
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Lumo Energy

Lumo Energy operates across Victoria and South Australia, offering one of the most diverse ranges of electricity products in the market. Lumo has a fairly standard plan (Lumo Value) with conditional discounts for paying bills on time. Its more tailored plans include Lumo Movers, for those making a switch and wanting to avoid connection/disconnection fees. And in an effort to offer all kinds of electricity plans, the retailer also provides a ‘basic’ product with no conditional discount, just competitive rates. On its Value and Movers plans, discounts are ongoing but usage and supply rates are variable. Lumo Energy also has a rewards program called Lumo Ameego which can bring special deals on a range of leisure activities for eligible customers.

Lumo Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Lumo Value Conditional Discounts Reduces to 7% less than VDO for paying on time	4% Less Than VDO›	$1,237 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Lumo Movers Conditional Discounts Reduces to 5% less than VDO for paying on time	2% Less Than VDO›	$1,273 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Basic No Conditional Discounts	4% Less Than VDO›	$1,276	Go To Site
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Lumo Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Basic No Conditional Discounts	5% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,835	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Lumo Movers No Conditional Discounts	3% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,884	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Standing Offer No Conditional Discounts	3% MoreThan Reference Price^^	$1,990	Go To Site
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Mojo Power

Another solar-focused energy retailer, Mojo Power claims to have some of the best feed-in tariffs on the market. Its unique selling point is that customers have access to ‘wholesale’ electricity rates, only after they pay an annual membership fee. It’s also one of a few companies that really promotes the benefit of smart meters and digital energy monitoring so customers can better understand their bills and power usage habits. Mojo Power operates in New South Wales and Queensland.

Mojo Power Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Energy Without Benefits No Conditional Discounts	Equal To Reference Price^^	$1,461	More Details
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Mojo Power Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Energy Without Benefits No Conditional Discounts	Equal To Reference Price^^	$1,569	More Details
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Momentum Energy

An electricity retailer with a clear focus on renewable energy generation, Momentum Energy serves homes in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, with just one market offer for its prospective customers to consider (excluding Victoria). Owned by Hydro Tasmania, Momentum Energy claims to be a provider that cares about competitive prices rather than big discounts or any other gimmicks. Openly opposed to big discounts, Momentum Energy holds itself as an alternative to the big power retailers, speaking in “plain English” and making rates easy to compare.

Momentum Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Smile Power Flexi No Conditional Discounts	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,291	Go To Site
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Momentum Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Smile Power Flexi No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,332	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Move Mate No Conditional Discounts	10% MoreThan VDO›	$1,465	Go To Site
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Momentum Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Smile Power Flexi No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,769	Go To Site
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Origin Energy

Australia’s biggest energy retailer, Origin Energy operates across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and the ACT, with a diverse product range to choose from. In most areas, the company’s plans consist of three variable rate options, with varying unconditional discounts. However, in some cases customers may need to pay by direct debit to get the best deal. In most cases, electricity discounts have a 12 month benefit period. Those who sign up online may get additional discount. Origin also generally offers solar customers two specific products and is active in the installation of solar rooftop panels. It is also one of the most active with regards to digital energy monitoring and helping households better understand their usage.

Origin Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver – Online Special No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Online sign-up only	13% Less Than Reference Price^^	$1,276	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver No Conditional Discounts	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,291	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Flexi No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,320	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Freedom No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,335	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar Boost Plus Conditional Discounts 2% guaranteed discount off usage charges Other Features: 23c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	1 YearBenefit Period	$1,444 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Basic No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,467	More Details
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Origin Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Max Saver – Online Special Conditional Discounts 4% less than VDO for direct debit & eFulfilment discount Other Features: Online sign-up only	Equal To VDO>	$1,278 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Max Saver Conditional Discounts 4% less than VDO for direct debit & eFulfilment discount	Equal To VDO>	$1,287 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Flexi No Conditional Discounts	3% LessThan VDO>	$1,294	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Solar Boost Plus Conditional Discounts 1% guaranteed discount off usage charges Other Features: 15c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	2 YearBenefit Period	$1,322 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Basic No Conditional Discounts	Equal To VDO>	$1,334	More Details
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Origin Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver – Online Special No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Online sign-up only	11% Less Than Reference Price^^	$1,397	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,413	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Flexi No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference price^^	$1,429	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Freedom No Conditional Discounts	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,507	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar Boost Plus Conditional Discounts 1% guaranteed discount off usage charges Other Features: 20c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	1 YearBenefit Period	$1,558 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Basic No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,570	More Details
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Origin Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver – Online Special No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Online sign-up only	15% Less Than Reference Price^^	$1,650	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Max Saver No Conditional Discounts	14% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,669	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Flexi No Conditional Discounts	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,708	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Freedom No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,747	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Solar Boost Plus Conditional Discounts 9% guaranteed discount off usage charges Other Features: 23c/kWh Feed-in Tariff Price estimate excludes solar FiT credits	1 YearBenefit Period	$1,796 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Basic No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,941	More Details
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People Energy

People Energy operates solely in Victoria. The retailer has two market offers, the first of which gives customers a large discount, however it only applies to the usage charge component of the bill. The other plan has a smaller discount, but this applies to the entire bill. People Energy also offers a standard retail contract that has no discounts and is currently equal to the VDO.

People Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Standing Retail Contract No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,334	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	Total Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 12% more than VDO for paying on time by direct debit	41% MoreThan VDO›	$1,500 incl. conditional discount	More Details
Energy Fact Sheet	On Time Saver Conditional Discounts Reduces to 19% more than VDO for paying on time by direct debit	41% MoreThan VDO›	$1,588 incl. conditional discount	More Details
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Pooled Energy

Pooled Energy is not your ordinary electricity retailer. In fact, as the name suggests, this retailer specialises in swimming pools. Pooled Energy offers NSW residents a comprehensive pool care package to keep your pool crystal clear all year long with little to no effort on your part. The deal includes sensors, controllers, filters, pumps and chemical management systems. Pooled Energy also takes over your energy account in order to ‘optimise’ the rates and tariffs for pool owners. Pooled Energy only sells electricity as part of its automated care package. It does not sell electricity as an independent product and there are other fees attached to its services, like a monthly subscription and chemical top-up.

Pooled Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Market Offer No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Only available to pool owners	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,467	More Details
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Powerclub

Powerclub does things a little differently when it comes to its energy plans, offering households ‘wholesale’ electricity prices instead of charging set rates. This does, however, come with a catch – customers will need to pay an annual fee to gain access to the cheaper wholesale prices. Powerclub is currently available in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

Powerclub Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Powerbank Home Flat No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Annual cost does not include upfront powerbank payment Powerclub recommends a minimum $40 per 1000kWh of estimated annual usage	12% LessThan VDO›	$1,177	More Details
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Powerclub Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Powerbank Home Flat No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Annual cost does not include upfront powerbank payment Powerclub recommends a minimum $40 per 1000kWh of estimated annual usage	23% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,133	More Details
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Powerclub Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Powerbank Home Flat No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Annual cost does not include upfront powerbank payment Powerclub recommends a minimum $40 per 1000kWh of estimated annual usage	23% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,207	More Details
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Powerclub Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Powerbank Home Flat No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Annual cost does not include upfront powerbank payment Powerclub recommends a minimum $40 per 1000kWh of estimated annual usage	20% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,554	More Details
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Powerdirect

Backed by AGL, Powerdirect is an energy company that previously focused on business energy retail before launching more prominently into the consumer electricity market in recent times. It operates across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, with just a single market offer in each state. This includes an unconditional discount on the plan, which varies between states. The discount applies to usage and supply charges and has a benefit period of 24 months. In Victoria, there are no discounts, but rates are fixed for 12 months.

Powerdirect Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Discount Saver No Conditional Discounts	14% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,258	More Details
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Powerdirect Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Rate Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	10% LessThan VDO›	$1,200	More Details
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Powerdirect Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Discount Saver No Conditional Discounts	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,377	More Details
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Powerdirect Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Discount Saver No Conditional Discounts	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,739	More Details
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Powershop

Something of a unique proposition in the Australian energy market, Powershop operates an online ‘shop’ for customers to purchase special power deals in order to reduce their costs. Powerpacks can be purchased for future use, allowing customers to budget ahead of schedule. Powershop’s other big selling point is its online reporting tools which allow customers to track their energy usage in almost real time. It has a smartphone app for customers to follow their usage history and help them make better informed decisions about their energy usage. Operating in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, Powershop is also one of the greenest energy companies in the country.

Powershop Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Shopper Market Offer Conditional Discounts 15% less than Reference Price for purchasing the Mega Pack	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,247 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Powershop Lite No Conditional Discounts	7% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,367	Go To Site
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Powershop Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Shopper Market Offer Conditional Discounts Reduces to 10% less than VDO for purchasing the Mega Pack	17% MoreThan VDO›	$1,199 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Powershop Lite No Conditional Discounts	2% LessThan VDO›	$1,314	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Victorian Default Offer No Conditional Discounts	Equal To VDO›	$1,334	Go To Site
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Powershop Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Shopper Market Offer Conditional Discounts Further 16% less than Reference Price for purchasing the Mega Pack	1% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,322 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Powershop Lite No Conditional Discounts	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,404	Go To Site
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Powershop Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Shopper Market Offer Conditional Discounts 15% less than Reference Price for purchasing the Mega Pack	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,648 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Powershop Lite No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,775	Go To Site
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QEnergy

QEnergy holds itself as a business-focused electricity retailer, but also provides market contracts in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. It typically offers one or two electricity plans in each state, but has a habit of turning these offers on and off from time to time. When they are publicly available, they tend not to include conditional discounts, just reasonable rates.

QEnergy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Home Saver Lite Variable No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Plan requires direct debit payment and online sign-up	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,301	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Home Saver Variable Other Features: Plan requires online sign-up No Conditional Discounts	11% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,311	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Home Your Way No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,461	More Details
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QEnergy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Home Your Way No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo VDO›	$1,334	More Details
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QEnergy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Home Saver Lite Variable No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Plan requires direct debit payment and online sign-up	15% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,341	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Home Saver Variable No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Plan requires online sign-up	13% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,364	More Details
Basic Plan Information	Home Your Way No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,569	More Details
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QEnergy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Home Your Way No Conditional Discounts	EqualTo Reference Price^^	$1,933	More Details
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ReAmped Energy

One of the newest electricity providers in the country, ReAmped Energy operates in NSW and QLD with one or two market offers for customers to consider depending on where you live. Based in Brisbane, ReAmped Energy claims a 100% only business model which seems to allow it to offer some of the most competitive usage rates in both states. Its market offers come with no conditional discounts, just competitive rates. And you won’t get any other sign-up incentives from ReAmped Energy which markets itself as keeping things really simple.

ReAmped Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	ReAmped Handshake No Conditional Discounts	19% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,188	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Residential Anytime No Conditional Discounts	16% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,229	Go To Site
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ReAmped Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Residential Anytime No Conditional Discounts	16% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,320	Go To Site
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Red Energy

Owned by renewable energy generation company Snowy Hydro, Red Energy has become one of the biggest challengers to the likes of AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia across the states that it serves. It operates in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, with three electricity offers for prospective customers to consider. Red Energy’s biggest selling point is its deal with Qantas which allows customers to earn frequent flyer points by paying their bills on time. The number of points on offer varies between plans. Red Energy has a good reputation for keeping things fairly simple, with modest conditional discounts attached to some plans for paying on time. Discounts apply to both usage and supply charges with an ongoing benefit period. All plans have variable rates.

Red Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Living Energy Saver No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,332	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Qantas Red Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy when bills paid on time	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,332	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Red Taronga Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Comes with Taronga Zoo Friends membership	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,332	Go To Site
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Red Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Living Energy Saver Conditional Discounts Equal to VDO for paying on time	11% MoreThan VDO›	$1,334 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Qantas Red Saver Conditional Discounts Equal to VDO for paying on time Other Features: 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy when bills paid on time	11% MoreThan VDO›	$1,334 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Victorian Default Offer No Conditional Discounts	3% MoreThan VDO›	$1,374	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Qantas Red Plus No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 7 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy when bills paid on time	11% MoreThan VDO›	$1,478	Go To Site
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Red Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Living Energy Saver No Conditional Discounts	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,421	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Qantas Red Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy when bills paid on time	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,421	Go To Site
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Red Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Living Energy Saver No Conditional Discounts	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,864	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Qantas Red Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy when bills paid on time	4% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,864	Go To Site
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Simply Energy

Simply Energy is an electricity retailer known for providing various sign-up incentives and special deals targeted at certain customer segments. Its wide range of products includes a deal for members of automotive clubs like the RACV and RACQ which brings bonus bill credits on the anniversary of the supply date, as well as a plan for cinema lovers which includes movie tickets during the duration of their contract. Simply Energy has also previously offered specific deals in partnership with professional sports clubs, including vouchers for club megastores.

Simply Energy Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Simply NRMA No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes a $50 first anniversary credit	16% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,231	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Simply Low Rates No Conditional Discounts	13% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,281	Go To Site
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Simply Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Simply RACV No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $150 first anniversary credit $50/year credit thereafter	11% Less Than VDO›	$1,183	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Simply Plus No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $50 first anniversary credit	4% Less Than VDO›	$1,283	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Simply Gold Class No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 4 Gold Class movie tickets every year	Equal To VDO›	$1,333	Go To Site
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Simply Energy Prices QLD

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Simply RACQ No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes a $160 first anniversary credit	17% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,310	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Simply Plus No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $30/year credit	8% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,440	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Simply Movies No Conditional Discounts Other Features: 4 Gold Class movie tickets every year	6% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,470	Go To Site
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Simply Energy Prices SA

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Simply RAA No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $150 first anniversary credit	15% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,650	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Simply Plus Low Rates No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Price includes $100 first anniversary credit	12% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,700	Go To Site
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Sumo

Sumo is one of a handful of electricity retailers which also offers phone and internet (NBN) services. It operates in both Victoria and NSW. In these states it generally offers three plans, where customers can choose from plans offering a pay on time discount, bill credits or fixed rates. These have previously included some short-term special deals. Signing up for telco services earns you extra bill credits with Sumo.

Sumo Prices Victoria

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Sumo Select Conditional Discounts 6% less than VDO for paying on time	Equal To VDO›	$1,251 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Sumo Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: $100 credit over 24 months	2% Less Than VDO›	$1,308	Go To Site
Energy Fact Sheet	Sumo Lite No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	1% Less Than VDO›	$1,323	Go To Site
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Sumo Prices NSW

Brand	Features		Price(estimated**)
Basic Plan Information	Sumo Select Conditional Discounts 15% less than Reference Price for paying on time	Equal To Reference Price^^	$1,246 incl. conditional discount	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Sumo Saver No Conditional Discounts Other Features: $100 credit over 24 months	10% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,321	Go To Site
Basic Plan Information	Sumo Lite No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	9% LessThan Reference Price^^	$1,328	Go To Site
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Tango Energy

Servicing households in Victoria only, Tango Energy is best known for being the retail arm of green energy company and renewable energy asset Pacific Hydro.  Victorians can expect one market offer available for sign up, which is the Home Select. This plan comes with a generous amount of the VDO and fixed rates for a 12 month benefit period. Although Tango Energy is associated with Pacific Hydro, it does not offer GreenPower options on its plan.

Tango Energy Prices VIC

Brand	Features		Price(estimated˜)
Energy Fact Sheet	Home Select No Conditional Discounts Other Features: Fixed rates for 12 months	9% LessThan VDO›	$1,220	More Details
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In July 2019, the energy industry began a significant period of change, which saw lots of Australian households moved onto cheaper deals, while making it easier for everyone to compare plans and find the best value. Here is a high-level guide to the changes and what you need to be aware of.

What changed in NSW, QLD and SA?

• Customers paying the highest power prices (‘standing offers’) were automatically switched onto a new ‘Default Market Offer’ (DMO), the cost of which is determined by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and updated every year.
• Those customers moving from standing offers onto the new default price will save an average of around $200 a year, but for many the savings will be much more significant.
• The default price is designed to be consistent across all power retailers, so as a consumer, if you are simply happy paying the default price, it doesn’t really matter what retailer you are with. Though, consumers shouldn’t just settle for the default price (which we’ll come to).
• The DMO acts as a safety net for consumers who do not engage in the energy market, but it also has another, hugely significant, purpose. The DMO also acts as a ‘Reference Price’ from which all market offers (anything other than the DMO) will need to be compared to.
• All market offers will need to reference the Reference Price in marketing, clearly displaying a percentage ‘less than’ the DMO (Reference Price). This is so that consumers can see how the marketed plan compares to the DMO on price, removing the issues we previously saw when it comes to discounts not delivering the savings they seemed to.
• There is still no level playing field from which all discounted products are applied, but the retailers have to show how the cost of their plan compares to the reference price. But with their marketing, they must show the minimum cost of their plan most prominently, rather than the potential lowest price with discount conditions met. As a result, it’s likely we’ll see the end of big discounts, because the retailers will put all their value into the minimum cost they must display most prominently.
• All this means that the DMO (Reference Price) will effectively act as a price cap for energy. However, retailers are still able to charge more than the DMO, but given they will need to represent this in their marketing (i.e. x more than the reference price) it seems unlikely that many will do it, unless they have a particular value-add benefit which justifies the extra cost.
• The DMO is not designed to be a competitive energy deal, rather a safety net for those who do not engage in the energy market. Based on current market offer prices, the cheapest deals are currently $2-300 a year cheaper than DMO, so no one should just settle for paying too much.

What changed in Victoria?

• There are some similarities between the DMO and the changes in Victoria, but the biggest differences are that, in Victoria, the new default price is called the ‘Victorian Default Offer’ (VDO). And unlike the DMO, which acts as price safety net for consumers, the VDO has been designed as a “fair price” for energy. In other words, it’s a competitive offer compared to the market.
• Customers still on standing offers will be automatically switched onto the new VDO price for their specific distribution network. Average savings are around $3-450 a year, although some people could save more.
• The VDO does not act as a price cap, so retailers can still charge more. Even customers on market offers can request a switch onto the VDO if they are currently paying more, which many will be.
• The other important point about the VDO is that it acts as a point of reference from which discounted plans must apply. This way, consumers can have confidence that the plans with the biggest discounts genuinely will mean the biggest savings. Retailers must state (in dollar or percentage terms) how their discounted offer compares to the estimated annual cost of the VDO.
• Retailers are required to include information on a customer’s bill about how the customer can access the VDO. Additionally, retailers are required to inform customers of the retailer’s best offer for that customer. This could be the VDO or a better market offer.
• With a narrowing of price competition, retailers look set to put more emphasis on their sign-up incentives, such as rewards programs, temporary promotions and various other value-add incentives, such as flybuys points of Qantas points etc.

Summary

The regulatory changes from this July are certainly a positive for those energy consumers who have paid too much, for too long. The concern, however, is that competition will suffer and those who’ve previously shopped around for the best deals may end up paying more in the future.

Consumers should also be mindful that settling for the default price in their area will still mean they are paying more than they need to, albeit the gap between the cheapest and most expensive plans will narrow considerably. This means consumers should consider what other value-add benefits they can get from their retailer. Energy is one of the biggest grudge purchases you can make, so getting a little extra for your money in return makes perfect sense.

NSW Electricity Prices

Here are the electricity plans on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer and plans are listed in order of lowest price first. See here for further information on the Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year, meaning that the Reference Price is $1,467/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

*Price assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Ausgrid network in Sydney, but prices differ between distribution areas. Oct 2019.

Victoria Electricity Prices

Here are the electricity plans on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailers and plans are listed in order of lowest price first. See here for further information on the VDO, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning that the VDO is $1,334/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

˜Price assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Citipower network in Melbourne, but prices differ between distribution areas. Oct 2019.

QLD Electricity Prices

Here are the electricity plans on our database for SE QLD. These costs are based on Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer and plans are listed in order of lowest price first. See here for further information on the Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year, meaning that the Reference Price is $1,570/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

*Price assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Energex network in Brisbane, but prices differ between distribution areas. Oct 2019.

SA Electricity Prices

Here are the electricity plans on our database for South Australia. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer and plans are listed in order of lowest price first. See here for further information on the Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning that the Reference Price is $1,941/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

*Price assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on SA Power network in Adelaide, but prices differ between distribution areas. Oct 2019.

ACT Electricity Prices

These costs are based on annual energy usage of 5499kWh/year and a selected postcode in Canberra, but these prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. Use our energy comparison tool above for a quote where you live. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Prices based on the EvoEnergy electricity distribution network, postcode 2600, Oct 2019. One product per retailer shown.

In addition to comparing many electricity plans based on price and the best value, Canstar Blue also publishes customer satisfaction ratings for electricity companies in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Our annual reviews are based on the feedback of bill-paying customers, with the latest ratings as follows:

Best-Rated Electricity Providers NSW:

• Red Energy
• Alinta Energy
• Dodo Power & Gas
• ActewAGL
• AGL
• Click Energy
• EnergyAustralia
• Origin Energy

See here for further details on the ratings and our methodology.

Best-Rated Electricity Providers VIC:

• Tango Energy
• Powershop
• GloBird Energy
• Momentum Energy
• Alinta Energy
• Dodo Power & Gas
• Red Energy
• Simply Energy
• Lumo Energy
• EnergyAustralia
• Origin Energy
• AGL
• Click Energy

See here for further details on the ratings and our methodology.

Best-Rated Electricity Providers QLD:

• Alinta Energy
• Red Energy
• Click Energy
• Origin Energy
• AGL
• EnergyAustralia

See here for further details on the ratings and our methodology.

Best-Rated Electricity Providers SA:

• Lumo Energy
• Alinta Energy
• Origin Energy
• Simply Energy
• EnergyAustralia
• AGL

See here for further details on the ratings and our methodology.

What is an electricity plan?

An electricity plan is a contract between you and your electricity retailer that stipulates the prices, discounts and conditions of the supply of electricity to your home or business. Most electricity retailers offer customers a handful of deals made up of both standard and market offer contracts, which vary from state to state. You will find open contracts (with no contract term) and contracts for one or two years.

How do I sign up to an electricity plan?

Most electricity retailers let customers sign up online. Simply visit your preferred provider’s website and carefully consider what it has to offer – be sure to read the Electricity Price Fact Sheet to find out exactly what you’ll be paying. Once you have found yourself a good deal, just follow the website’s instructions to sign up. Customer review and comparison websites such as Canstar Blue can also help in the decision-making process. If you’re changing your plan, but not the retailer, then there is nothing else you need to do. If you’re switching companies or signing up for power for the first time, you may need to provide your NMI (If known), plus address and bank details. After that, pick a connection date and a meter technician will come out to seamlessly complete the connection.

Who sets electricity prices?

Electricity prices are set by either your energy retailer or your state government depending on if you live in an area with price regulations or not. In most cases, the energy companies are free to set their own prices, but in many rural areas prices are still regulated, meaning they are set by the local government. Households in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne will have their prices set by the energy retailers, but in Western Australia and rural Queensland, for example, prices remain regulated.

How are electricity prices set?

Electricity usage rates are largely controlled by the market forces of supply and demand. Retailers purchase electricity at a wholesale rate from the National Electricity Market before on selling it to customers. The wholesale prices will change every five minutes depending on the demand for electricity. Supply charges, meanwhile are determined by network distributors to fund network infrastructure maintenance and improvements. As well as market forces, prices are also set by retailers. In addition to usage and supply costs, your bill will also be made up of charges for your retailer’s service, as well as government GST.

When are electricity prices set?

Energy retailers typically submit their applications for rate changes to the Australian Energy Regulator every 12 months. In South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, prices are usually reviewed in July, but in Victoria prices will change in January. However, it should be noted that electricity costs can change during the year if your provider amends its rates or discounts.

What is electricity price deregulation?

A deregulated market means that energy retailers are free to set their own rates and offers under a relaxed regulatory environment. Previously, prices were set by state governments. Deregulation has opened the door to new electricity providers and increased competition, although the merits of price deregulation are still hotly contested. Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia all have price deregulation, but in some rural parts of these states, plus in Tasmania and Western Australia, the price of electricity is still set by the local government.

What is an electricity market retail offer?

Electricity market retail contracts are energy plans designed by specific energy retailers. These are almost always cheaper than the alternative standard retail contracts that are also offered, and are likely to include discounts, incentives and bonuses for customers. The main downside to market offers is that your retailer can change the prices you’re charged at any time, unless it is a fixed rate plan. The majority of these offers come with variables rates. Not all households in Australia will have access to market retail offers.

What is a standard electricity retail offer?

Standard retail electricity contracts are plans with the terms and prices set by a state government. Retailers in deregulated electricity markets must provide a standard retail contract by law as a default option for customers who have yet to switch to a market offer contract. Standard retailer contracts have fixed prices for six month intervals, however the rates are generally higher than those of market retail offers and there are no discounts available. As such, standard offers are more expensive and are not intended as a viable alternative to market contracts.

What is a variable rate electricity plan?

A variable rate electricity plan means the amount you are charged for power usage or supply can change at your energy retailer’s discretion. The majority of retail market contracts have variable rates, which are typically reviewed every 12 months. Variable rate electricity plans are usually available on one or two-year contracts, but some providers do offer open contracts. Exit fees will often apply if you cancel the agreement. Variable rate plans generally provide the best value, but you must be sure to regularly review your options as charges and discounts change.

What is a fixed rate electricity plan?

A fixed rate electricity plan means the amount that you are charged for energy usage and supply will not be changed during the term of your agreement. While prices on variable rate plans will change every year, fixed rate plans provide some certainty over the rates you will pay for electricity. However, your electricity bills will still fluctuate depending on your usage habits. Fixed rate plans are only available on one or two-year contracts, meaning that you will be protected from any rate increases over that period. Only a handful of energy providers offer fixed rate plans, including AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia and Tango Energy.

What is a fixed cost electricity plan?

A fixed cost electricity plan means you know exactly what you will be paying for power every billing period, regardless of your energy usage. Fixed cost plans are currently only offered by Origin Energy, although more retailers are likely to follow suit in future. Fixed cost plans provide the most certainty over your electricity costs, with the amount you are charged based on your previous usage history. The fixed amount is what you will pay each billing period, but this will be reviewed every 12 months.

What is a GreenPower plan?

Many retailers offer business and residential customers the option to have some or all of their energy usage reimbursed to the electricity grid from renewable energy sources. GreenPower plans are usually offered with 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% renewable generation. GreenPower plans involve paying a few cents extra per kWh, potentially making it rather expensive.

What is an electricity usage charge?

Electricity usage charges are what you pay for each kWh of electricity your household consumes – the more electricity you use, the more you will pay. Usage charges generally cost around 20c/kWh to 40c/kWh, but prices vary significantly between states and depending on your provider. Usage charges will typically be the most costly element of your electricity bill, so it’s very important to understand what rate you are paying and whether you could find a lower rate with a different supplier.

What is an electricity supply charge?

An electricity supply charge is a cost incurred for remaining connected to an energy network. Supply charges vary considerably from state to state, generally ranging in costs from 80c to $1.50 each day. Even if you don’t use any power, you will still need to pay the supply charge. Despite supply costs being a charge imposed by energy distributors, the rates will vary from retailer to retailer. As supply charges can heavily contribute to your bill, it’s important you check the energy price factsheet.

What is a kWh?

A kilowatt hour (or kWh, as it is more commonly expressed) is a unit of measurement used for measuring electricity usage for billing purposes. Simply put, a kilowatt (kW) is a measurement of how much electricity an appliance demands in order to operate, while a kWh is the number of kilowatts that your household consumes over a period of time.

How much electricity am I using?

The average Australian household uses 17.3kWh of electricity per day, according to research published by the Australian Energy Regulator. Energy requirements will vary depending on the season, the number of people in a household, and the types of appliances used. Bearing in mind that the AER’s research excludes households with swimming pools, its publication claims that we use the least amount of electricity in summer, while the winter months see us considerably increase the level of energy used, as the table below shows.

The following table shows average daily electricity usage (kWh).

Source: AER

These results are based on average households, so consider that if you have more than five people living with you, your energy usage will reflect this.

What is an electricity tariff?

Electricity tariffs refer to the pricing structure of your electricity usage charges. Depending on your tariff, you may be charged different rates depending on when, or how, you use electricity. Electricity tariffs can vary between energy retailers, but the most common electricity tariffs are:

• Single rate
• Controlled load
• Block rate
• Two rate
• Time of use

The tariff available to you depends on your meter type. Old meters will usually be on single rate tariffs, while newer meters can take a number of usage measurements for multi-tariff rates.

What is a single rate tariff?

A single rate tariff means you are charged the same rate for all of your electricity usage regardless of the time of day, what you are powering, or how much energy your household has consumed. Single rate tariffs will typically result in the highest bills. This type of tariff has fallen out of fashion in recent years as more modern electricity meters, such as smart meters, have given more homes and businesses access to time of use tariffs or other tariffs that could help reduce costs.

What is a controlled load?

Certain high energy usage appliances such as hot water systems, pool pumps and refrigerators may be connected on a dedicated circuit and metered separately from the rest of your electricity. Electricity retailers can charge a considerably lower usage rate for the dedicated appliance, potentially helping to reduce your energy bill. A controlled load is not exclusive and can be combined with a time of use, two-rate, block or single rate tariff.

What is a block electricity rate?

A block electricity rate means a different rate is charged for each ‘block’ of electricity usage. A block may be a certain amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) per day, or per billing period. To illustrate this, take the artificial example below:

• First block of 1,000kWh in a quarter – Rate: 23c/kWh
• Second block of 1,000kWh in a quarter – Rate: 22.6c/kWh
• Third block of 1,000kWh in a quarter – Rate: 24.2c/kWh

What is a two rate/off-peak tariff?

This means that two separate usage rates are charged for ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ periods. As electricity is considerably cheaper during off-peak hours – because of decreased demand – it is a good option for those who use most of their electricity during the day.

What is a time of use tariff?

A time of use tariff means you are charged three separate electricity usage rates for either ‘peak’, ‘off-peak’ or ‘shoulder’ periods. This is a common tariff structure for households with smart meters installed.

What is a peak usage rate?

A ‘peak rate’ is charged during periods where there is a high demand for electricity usage. Peak usage rates are generally applied from 3pm to 9pm and are considerably higher than those charged in off-peak or shoulder periods.

What is an off-peak rate?

An ‘off-peak rate’ is charged during periods of reduced energy usage. Off-peak electricity rates generally apply from 11pm through to 7am and are much cheaper than shoulder or peak period rates.

What is a shoulder usage rate?

A ‘shoulder rate’ is a rate charged between peak and off-peak periods when there is a mild demand for electricity. Shoulder rates usually apply from 9pm to 11pm and 7am to 3pm. Shoulder rates are more expensive than off-peak periods and cheaper than peak periods.

What are electricity discounts?

Discounts are a percentage deduction made from your electricity costs at the end of each billing period. Energy discounts are only available on market retail contracts, and the amount you are discounted – if at all – will vary across different plans and electricity companies. Discounts you might commonly encounter include:

• Pay on time discount
• Direct Debit discount
• Bundled energy discount
• Email billing discount
• Unconditional energy discount

The discount amount, which can vary from as low as 2% up to 40% or more, will usually be taken off your electricity usage costs. However, some providers have discounts off your entire bill instead. Be aware that not all high-discount plans work out the cheapest overall options as some of the contracts with the highest discounts will also include the highest usage or supply charges, which can negate the overall savings. Failing to meet the conditions of your discount could also mean you are charged a fee. Also keep in mind that energy discounts have benefit periods and can expire.

What is a pay on time discount?

A pay on time discount means you will receive a set percentage off your electricity costs at the end of the billing period – provided that you settle your bill on or before the due date. Pay on time discounts are the most common form of energy discount, but the amount you receive off your bill can vary considerably. This will depend on your energy retailer and the plan you are on. Pay on time discounts can be off your entire bill or just usage charges.

What is a direct debit discount?

By having your electricity bill automatically debited from your selected bank account – rather than making manual payments every time – you could be eligible for a direct debit discount. It’s a simple and effective way to save money for those who are comfortable with direct debiting. A direct debit discount could be off your entire bill or just usage charges.

What is a bundled energy discount?

If your home or business uses natural gas provided through the same retailer as your electricity, you may be eligible for a ‘bundled’ discount. This discount, also known as a double up discount, can vary considerably across retailers from 2% to 15%. The discount could be off your whole bill or just usage charges. Like with other discounts, there will likely be a benefit period which could expire after one or two years.

What is an email billing discount?

Discounts are offered by the energy retailers for anything that makes their lives a little easier, or just saves them money. This is the case with email billing discounts. If you receive your bills by email instead of post, energy providers will often give you a modest discount as reward. This will also mean receiving all other communications via email instead of post.

What is an unconditional energy discount?

It’s all in the name. An unconditional energy discount refers to discounts that are applied to your power bill that aren’t dependent on you fulfilling any conditions. Regardless of your chosen payment method, how you receive your energy bill or whether or not you’re early on your bill payment, you can expect an unconditional energy discount to apply to the amount you have due. This discount can apply to the whole bill or just usage charges.

What is a discount benefit period?

A discount benefit period is the length of time that your energy discount will apply. In most cases, benefit periods last for 12 months, although some electricity retailers offer discounts over two years, or even ongoing. Once the benefit period ends, you will likely have to start paying the full, non-discounted rate for power, which could be considerably more. It’s best to treat big-discount electricity plans as introductory offers and review your options at the end of the benefit period.

What electricity concessions are available?

Each state and territory provides a number of government-mandated concessions designed to assist households experiencing hardship that affects electricity requirements or their ability to pay their bills. Depending on the type of government concession or rebate, customers may be required to hold one of the following:

• Senior Card
• Pensioner Concession Card
• Centrelink Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

The names and availability of assistance schemes will vary across states, but they generally include:

Emergency relief assistance: Customers who are at risk of being disconnected due to a legitimate inability to pay their utility bill may be eligible to receive a one-off payment. This can only be applied every 12 or 24 months depending on your state.

Medical Energy rebate: Customers who require energy-consuming medical equipment or must regularly use heating or cooling appliances for medical purposes may receive an annual rebate of around $200. Some states such as Victoria instead supply a reasonable discount on your energy bill.

Other rebates, concessions and discounts: Depending on your state, several other assistance programs may be available to you if you are:

• A senior citizen
• A veteran
• A low income earner

What if I can’t pay my electricity bill?

If you are unable to pay your electricity bill on time, your retailer is required by federal law to follow certain steps. You will not be automatically disconnected, however you may lose any discounts you might have been eligible for.

1. If the bill has not been paid, the retailer will issue a reminder notice.
2. After a time period is stipulated on the reminder notice, your retailer will then issue a disconnection warning.
3. As a final step, your retailer is required to contact you (usually by phone) to discuss payment.
4. If the energy company cannot get in touch with you or you continue to refuse payment, the property will be disconnected. Reconnection to the grid will incur a small fee.

Disconnecting a property for late payment is a drastic action which retailers do their best to avoid. If you think you may struggle to pay your bill on time, contact your energy retailer to discuss a possible extension, or payment scheme.

What is bill smoothing?

Bill smoothing is a payment scheme with which customers can pay fixed monthly, fortnightly or weekly installments towards their expected electricity bill. Your retailer will forecast your annual electricity requirements, given your history, to see how much you should be paying. Incorrect estimates will be settled in later bills. Bill smoothing is a great option for those who like a predictable budget. The idea behind paying the same amount each billing cycle is that you won’t be taken by surprise in peak energy usage seasons.

What are smart meters?

Smart meters are electricity meters that provide energy usage information every half hour, allowing households and businesses to more closely monitor usage through apps and web portals, as well as benefit from flexible pricing tariffs. Smart meters are installed in most Victorian homes and are becoming increasingly common in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Some energy providers, such as Powershop, have built their business models around the use of smart meters. It is recommended that customers monitor their electricity usage through their smart meter to become better informed about their usage habits, which could result in reduced costs.

What is a NMI?

The National Meter Identifier (or ‘NMI’ as it’s displayed on your bill) is a unique 10 digit number used to identify your electricity meter. It allows your electricity retailer and network distributor to identify your meter for purposes of connection, metering and billing.

What if my electricity meter can’t be read?

If a meter reader is unable to access your electricity meter (e.g. due to an aggressive dog), then the distributor will estimate your energy usage based on previous records and your retailer will charge you accordingly. If this is the case, an ‘E’ will be displayed next to your usage figure on your bill. If it is later learned that this was an incorrect estimate, you will be charged more or less accordingly in your next bill. This is not a problem for households with smart meters, as electricity usage data is automatically transferred to the network distributor. You may also be able to submit your own meter reading.

What is an electricity distributor?

An electricity distributor owns and maintains all of the infrastructure within a certain area that is associated with delivering power to homes and businesses, including poles, wires and meters. Your local distributor is responsible for recording your energy usage and passes the details to your electricity retailer for billing. While you have no choice over who your distributor is, they have a big impact on your overall energy costs because they set supply charges. Usage costs could also vary depending on location.