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Expert Picks: Best Value Energy Plans NSW (March 2024)

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This page features some of the best electricity plans from energy providers in NSW on Canstar Blue’s database. Every month, our dedicated team of energy experts will update this page to show you a range of competitive deals. This way, you can stay informed on the latest energy plans available in your area.

When we talk about the ‘best’ energy plans, we don’t just make this stuff up. We determine which are the best value plans based on our expert methodology which assesses numerous factors relating to the provider and plan in question, including price (of course), the features of the product, as well as the provider’s customer service and billing credentials. All this results in each plan being given a Value Score out of 10.

Our expert research team has spent years perfecting this methodology, so you can have confidence that we know what we’re doing. So without further ado, here are the best value energy plans on our database for NSW, including the best offers from the ‘big three’ power providers. Hit the links below to jump to your preferred plan type.

Best Electricity Deals NSW March 2024

The pricing shown below is based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney, NSW. This serves as a helpful guide but we’d suggest jumping into our energy comparison tool for an even more specific quote in your area.

Overall Best Value Plan, Powershop [Power House]

Value score: 9.6

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan: 

  • Guaranteed discount off usage and supply charges
  • Monthly billing options
  • GreenPower available

What to look out for: 

  • Disconnection and re-connection fees may apply
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Low solar feed-in tariff

Best Value Fixed Rate Plan, EnergyAustralia [Rate Fix Plan]

Value score: 8.0

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Energy rates that are locked in for 12 months
  • Guaranteed discount
  • $50 moving home credit

What to look out for: 

  • Move-in fees may apply
  • Disconnection fees may apply
  • Rates may change after the 12-month benefit period

Best Value Variable Rate Plan, Powershop [Power House]

Value score: 9.6

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan: 

  • Guaranteed discount off usage and supply charges
  • Monthly billing options
  • GreenPower available

What to look out for: 

  • Disconnection and re-connection fees may apply
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Low solar feed-in tariff

Best Value Plan with Entertainment, Simply Energy [Simply Blue Perks]

Value score: 9.0

Here is Simply Energy’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Receive 12-month complimentary membership to MyNRMA
  • $200 bill credit for customers on their first bill
  • Monthly billing options available

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Credit card payment fees may apply
  • Late payment fees may apply

Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions, Powershop [Power House]

Value score: 9.6

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan: 

  • Guaranteed discount off usage and supply charges
  • Monthly billing options
  • GreenPower available

What to look out for: 

  • Disconnection and re-connection fees may apply
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Low solar feed-in tariff

Best Value AGL Plan [Value Saver]

Value score: 8.5

Here is AGL’s plan on our database for NSW. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan:

  • $75 sign-up credit
  • No exit or paper billing fees
  • GreenPower add-on options available

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Disconnection and connection fees may apply
  • Some credit card payment fees apply

Best Value Origin Plan [Go Variable]

Value score: 8.5

Here is Origin Energy’s plan on our database for NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan: 

  • Carbon offset or GreenPower add-on options available
  • Monthly billing options available
  • $200 bill credit for customers who stay connected beyond July 1, 2024

What to look out for: 

  • Credit card fees may apply
  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • 12-month benefit period

Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan [Flexi Plan]

Value score: 8.9

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for NSW. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

What’s good about the plan:

  • Guaranteed discount off whole bill (usage and supply charges)
  • GreenPower add-on options available
  • No exit fees

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Credit card payment fees apply
  • Connection and disconnection fees may apply

 

More Expert picks plans, courtesy of our Value Rank formula

 

What to look for in an electricity plan

  1. what to look for in an energy plan inforgraphicUsage rates: Lower usage rates that cover the cost of using electricity (per kWh) and gas (per MJ)
  2. Supply charges: Competitive fixed daily fees for supplying your home with electricity or gas
  3. Discounts: Conditional or guaranteed discounts off your bills can help save on annual energy costs
  4. Bill credits: Like a discount but offers a credit off your bill, either as a standalone amount or ongoing
  5. Sign-up incentives: Access to rewards programs, frequent flyer points or entertainment services
  6. Fixed rates: Some plans comes with energy rates locked in for a set period meaning no rate rises
  7. Variable rates: Look out for low variable rates on plans but keep in mind they can change over time
  8. Customer service: Compare call centre hours and satisfaction ratings of energy providers
  9. Online tools and support: Does the company have an app and can you access your account online?

Our Value Score & Methodology Explained

Canstar Blue Value Score Rank 8.4
Canstar Blue Value Score

The page assesses the best value energy plans on our database for NSW, but what do we actually mean when we say ‘best’? While price will understandably be the deciding factor for many when comparing energy plans, we explore each product a little deeper. Our expert methodology allows you to compare plans based on our unique ‘Value Score’.

The Value Score is a rating (out of 10) and is a combination of the Price Score and Features Score. In calculating the Value Score, factors that are considered include:

Feature Score:

  • Billing & Payments
  • Customer Service & Support
  • Plan Flexibility

Price Score:

  • The estimated lowest price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met, based on the AER’s model annual usage in the distribution region as shown at the top of each table. If you have provided usage data from your electricity bill, the estimated annual amount payable for this plan will be based on your individual circumstances
  • The Price Score includes applicable discounts assuming all conditions have been met
  • The Price Score may factor in the Reference Price where you have not provided usage data from your electricity bill

Canstar Blue considers plan features most relevant to customers in the calculation of Value Score. However, not every feature is included in the Value Score, nor every feature that is relevant to you. For further details on how the Value Score works, you can read our methodology here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How we pick the best value plans

  1. Overall Best Value Plan: This plan is determined by what’s currently our top performing energy plan sorted by Value Score.
  2. Best Value Fixed Rate Plan: Our best-ranked plan as determined by our Value Score with fixed rates, meaning energy prices don’t change during the agreed period.
  3. Best Value Variable Rate Plan: The best value plan with energy rates that are variable, meaning prices are not fixed and are subject to change.
  4. Best Value Plan with Entertainment: This is an energy plan with the highest Value Score, which includes an additional entertainment feature or subscription.
  5. Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions: Our best value plan which has no conditional discounts, bill credits or similar. For example, it doesn’t require direct debit payment or similar.
  6. Best Value AGL Plan: The best value plan from AGL based on our Value Score.
  7. Best Value Origin Plan: The best value plan from Origin based on our Value Score.
  8. Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan: The best value plan from EnergyAustralia based on our Value Score.

In the event that two or more plans have the same value score in any given category, the cheapest option will be featured.

Tara Donnelly
Utilities Editor
Tara Donnelly is an internet and mobile expert - sectors she’s spent a decade covering - and also oversees energy and consumer technology content. She holds a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and has shared her expertise on national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise and the ABC.

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