Melbourne

Expert Picks: Best Value Energy Plans VIC (June 2024)

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This page contains some of the best electricity plans from energy providers in Victoria on Canstar Blue’s database. Every month, our dedicated team of energy experts will update this page to show you a range of great deals.

When it comes to the ‘best’ energy plans in Victoria, we try to be as objective as possible. Each of the best value plans are based on our expert methodology which assess many factors of a product and energy provider, such as price, features, customer service and billing. All of these aspects calculate what’s known as a ‘Value Score’, which varies from one to 10.

Our expert researchers have spent years crafting this methodology, giving you greater peace of mind when you’re on the hunt for a new energy deal. Here are the best value plans on our database for Victoria, including the best offers from the ‘big three’ power providers. Hit each link below to jump ahead to a suitable plan type.

Best Energy Plans VIC June 2024

The pricing shown below is based on the Citipower network in Melbourne, Victoria. This serves as a helpful guide but we’d encourage jumping into our energy comparison tool for an accurate quote in your area.

Overall Best Value Plan, Tango Energy [Value Select]

Value score: 9.7

Here is Tango Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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:

  • Competitive usage rates
  • No contract term
  • No exit fees.

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Debit and credit card processing fees
  • Connection and disconnection fees may apply.

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

Value score: 7.3

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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, Tango Energy [Value Select]

Value score: 9.7

Here is Tango Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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:

  • Competitive usage rates
  • No contract term
  • No exit fees.

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Debit and credit card processing fees
  • Connection and disconnection fees may apply.

Best Value Plan with Extras, Engie [Engie Perks]

Value score: 9.0

Here is Engie’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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 a complimentary 12-month My NRMA membership
  • 30% guaranteed discount off electricity usage and supply charges
  • Paper bills are available.

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Credit card and paper billing fees may apply
  • No green power available.

Best Value Plan with No Discount Conditions, Tango Energy [Value Select]

Value score: 9.7

Here is Tango Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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:

  • Competitive usage rates
  • No contract term
  • No exit fees.

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Debit and credit card processing fees
  • Connection and disconnection fees may apply.

Best Value AGL Plan [Value Saver]

Value score: 8.2

Here is AGL’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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 lock-in contracts or exit fees
  • Monthly or quarterly billing options available
  • $150 sign-up credit available on first bill.

What to look out for:

  • Energy rates may change in the future
  • Credit card fees may apply
  • Paper bill fees may apply.

Best Value Origin Plan [Go Variable]

Value score: 7.7

Here is Origin’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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
  • GreenPower and carbon offset add-on options available
  • Paper bill available.

What to look out for:

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

Best Value EnergyAustralia Plan [Flexi Plan]

Value score: 9.1

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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 and carbon offset add-on options available
  • $100 credit offer for customers who sign up a new account to an electricity offer.

What to look out for:

  • Rates are variable and may change at any time
  • Some credit card payments charges apply
  • Disconnection and reconnection fees may apply.

More expert picks plans, courtesy of our Value Rank formula

What to look for in an electricity plan

  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 and methodology explained

This page breaks down the best value energy plans on our database for Victoria, but defining what we mean by ‘best’ can be a little confusing. With this in mind, we dig a little deeper than price alone as a deciding factor. Our expert methodology enables you to compare electricity plans based on our unique ‘Value Score’.

The Value Score is a rating (out of 10), containing a Price Score, as well as a Features Score. In assessing 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, using the Victorian Government’s annual reference consumption for domestic customers in your distribution region as shown at the top of the table and assuming all conditions of discounts offered (if any) have been met. 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 VDO for your distribution region 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.

Image credits: Gordon Bell/Shutterstock.com

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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