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

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Every month our team of energy geeks will update this page with the best offers on our database from QLD electricity providers. This way you’ll always be ahead of the game.

The south-east Queensland electricity market has undergone a swathe of regulatory changes, most notably with the introduction of ‘fairer’ default energy pricing. These changes may have set a new reference point for pricing; however, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of making it easier to compare deals.

Choosing the best energy plans is made possible by our expert methodology, which places each product under the microscope, examining its features, price, customer service and billing. Then we give each plan a Value Score out of 10.

If you’re

tired of sifting through multiple websites to find the latest and greatest deals, then look no further. Here are the best value plans on our database for Queenslanders, including the best market offers from the ‘big three’ retailers, as well as various types of plan styles. To get started, simply click on the links below to your preferred energy plan.

Best Energy Plans QLD March 2024

  1. Overall Best Value Plan: Powershop, Switch Saver
  2. Best Value Fixed Rate Plan: EnergyAustralia, Rate Fix Plan
  3. Best Value Variable Rate Plan: Powershop, Switch Saver
  4. Best Value Plan with Entertainment: Red Energy, Qantas Red Saver
  5. Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions: Powershop, Switch Saver
  6. Best Value AGL Plan: Value Saver
  7. Best Value Origin Plan: Go Variable
  8. Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan: Flexi Plan

The pricing shown below is based on the Energex network in Brisbane, QLD. If you’d like a more accurate quote from your area, jump onto our comparison tool.

Overall Best Value Plan, Powershop [Switch Saver]

Value score: 9.8

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • Monthly billing available
  • No lock-in contract
  • $150 sign-up credit

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Average feed-in tariff
  • For new Powershop customers only

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

Value score: 8.5

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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
  • GreenPower available

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 [Switch Saver]

Value score: 9.8

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • Monthly billing available
  • No lock-in contract
  • $150 sign-up credit

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Average feed-in tariff
  • For new Powershop customers only

Best Value Plan with Entertainment, Red Energy [Qantas Red Saver]

Value score: 9.2

Here is Red Energy’s plan on our database for SEQ. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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 10,000 Qantas Points at sign up, plus two points for every $1 spent on bills
  • Monthly billing options
  • No credit card or paper billing fees

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Offer only available to new Red Energy customers
  • Must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member at the time of sign up to be eligible

Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions, Powershop [Switch Saver]

Value score: 9.8

Here is Powershop’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • Monthly billing available
  • No lock-in contract
  • $150 sign-up credit

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Average feed-in tariff
  • For new Powershop customers only

Best Value AGL Plan [Value Saver]

Value score: 8.9

Here is AGL’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • No exit fees
  • $150 sign-up credit for new customers
  • Monthly billing options

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change over time
  • Disconnection and connection fees may apply
  • Credit card and paper bill fees may apply

Best Value Origin Plan [Go Variable]

Value score: 8.9

Here is Origin Energy’s plan on our database for SEQ. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • $150 bill credit for customers who stay connected beyond July 1, 2024
  • Monthly billing options available
  • No exit fees or lock-in contracts

What to look out for:

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

Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan [Flexi Plan]

Value score: 8.8

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for SEQ. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year. 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:

  • GreenPower add-on options available
  • Paper billing available
  • Guaranteed discount on usage and supply charges

What to look out for:

  • Variable rates may change at any time
  • Disconnection and reconnection charges may apply
  • Credit card fees may apply

 

More Expert picks plans, courtesy of our Value Rank formula

 

How to find a great electricity deal in QLD

what to look for in an energy plan inforgraphic

  1. Usage 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

Energy comparison tool value score 8.2
Canstar Blue Energy Comparison Value Score

Trying to define the ‘best value’ energy plans in QLD may sound a little confusing, but with the help of our expert methodology, we’re confident in listing the most competitive deals in the Sunshine State. Although overall price is a huge factor in determining our ‘Value Score’, we also look at other components, like customer incentives, rewards programs and more.

Each plan is rated with a Value Score or ranking out of 10, which includes a Price Score and Features Score. Here are the factors that are considered:

Feature Score:

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

Price Score:

  • The estimated lowest price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, assuming all conditions (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 consumers in the calculation of Value Rank. However, not every feature is included in the Value Rank, nor every feature that is relevant to you. For more details on how the Value Score works, 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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