Expert Guide: 1st Energy Review and Rates
1st Energy has currently switched off its market offer plans to new customers in QLD and SA. We will do our best to keep the details on this page up to date as new information becomes available. Please treat information below as historical only, and check plan details/availability directly with 1st Energy.
1st Energy is a small electricity company that operates in New South Wales, Victoria, south-east Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. But perhaps most significantly, it became the first residential retailer to move into Tasmania to challenge the monopoly of the state-owned Aurora Energy in early 2019.
1st Energy pitches itself as a customer-focused retailer, promising its customers excellent levels of service, quick solutions and peace of mind that their energy company cares about them. 1st Energy also claims to offer a price that “actually reflects the real cost of doing business”. The retailer is also one of few that doesn’t charge its customers a credit card fee for paying their bills.
So, is all this just a sales pitch, or does 1st Energy truly offer a valuable service and good value? In this article, Canstar Blue details what’s on offer from 1st Energy and whether this retailer could be right for you.
On this page:
1st Energy Prices
We outline 1st Energy’s electricity plans in each state below to give you an idea of what you’ll pay. Here’s a quick price check for NSW, VIC, SEQ, SA and TAS.
Here are the 1st Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products 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.
Here are the 1st Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products 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.
Here are the 1st Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. These are products 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 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.
Here are the 1st Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. 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.
Here are the cheapest published deals from 1st Energy currently on our database for Tasmania. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on a household with an annual electricity usage of 2,947kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff at a selected postcode in Tasmania, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of price. Use our comparison tool above for a specific comparison in your area. This table includes featured products from a referral partner. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
An Expert’s Guide to 1st Energy
If you’re wondering what services 1st Energy is offering in your state, look no further than the table below. We summarise what you can expect to find from 1st Energy across each state and territory.
| State | Electricity? | Gas? |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | ||
| VIC | ||
| QLD | ||
| SA | ||
| ACT | ||
| WA | ||
| TAS |
1st Energy Plans
1st Energy’s electricity deals may seem rather difficult to get your head around at first sight. In addition to its required standing offer, 1st Energy has a variety of market offers depending on where you live – ‘1st Saver’, ‘1st Saver Online’ and ‘1st Solar Bonus’. Note that not all of these products will be publicly available all the time and won’t be available in all states.
- 1st Saver: The 1st Saver comes with variable rates on an ongoing contract. In New South Wales, this plan includes a small discount for customers who pay their bills on time, while in Queensland a discount is guaranteed. In Victoria there are two variations of this plan, one of which comes with a guaranteed discount off the usage rates.
- 1st Saver Online: Like the 1st Super Saver, this plan has variable rates and a guaranteed discount. Customers on this offer however, will need to sign up online. This plan is currently only available in Victoria.
See how 1st Energy stacks up on price against other providers in your state:
1st Energy Solar
In addition to offering competitive solar feed-in tariffs on its market offers, 1st Energy also provides a solar-specific energy plan for customers who have rooftop solar panels. The ‘1st Solar Bonus’ deal is available to residents in Tasmania and Victoria and offers a boosted solar feed-in tariff. These are the feed-in tariffs available in each state, on this offer:
- TAS: 12c/kWh
- VIC: 9.90c/kWh
1st Energy Solar Plans
Here is the 1st Solar Bonus 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.
Here is the 1st Solar Bonus plan on our database for Tasmania. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on a household with an annual electricity usage of 9,474.61kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff at a selected postcode in Tasmania, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. 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.
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Contact Information & Billing Details
1st Energy says its goal is to be the best energy retailer and claims to put its customers first and foremost in every decision. It claims to offer competitive rates, no broken promises, and as a “customer service focused retailer” it promises you’ll be looked after at all times.
1st Energy Contact Information
Below you’ll find the information about 1st Energy should you ever need to make contact with the retailer.
- General enquiries: 1300 426 594
- Email: support@1stenergy.com.au
- Interpreter: 13 14 50
1st Energy Billing
1st Energy’s online My Account service provides customers with a number of tools via which they can monitor and manage their account. Via My Account, customers can:
- Pay their bill
- Check their usage
- Access their account details
- Access their latest invoices
When it comes to invoicing, 1st Energy issues invoices on a monthly basis, with customers able to make payment via:
- Credit card and MasterPass online via 1st’s payment portal
- Credit card via phone
- Direct debit
- BPay
- Cheque via mail
Other energy providers worth checking out:
Is 1st Energy right for me?
1st Energy does have some small discounts, but we must stress that this is not indicative of a better price overall. Customers must compare a range of factors, including usage rates, supply charges and any additional fees. 1st Energy often isn’t the cheapest retailer in town, but it does claim to offer outstanding service.
If you’re someone who values being treated like a person and not just a customer number, then perhaps 1st Energy has something to offer you. It’s all about understanding what you want from your electricity company and shopping around until you find it.
If you live in Tasmania, 1st Energy is certainly an attractive proposition given that it is the first challenger to the total dominance of Aurora Energy. But as above, it’s important to carefully compare usage and supply rates to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Compare 1st Energy to other Australian Providers
- Best-Rated VIC Electricity Providers
- Best-Rated NSW Electricity Providers
- Best-Rated QLD Electricity Providers
- Best-Rated SA Electricity Providers
About the author
As Canstar Blue’s Energy Specialist, Kelseigh Wrigley covers the retail energy market, with a focus on electricity, gas and solar. She joined the team after completing a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology, and has previously written for a variety of online publications, including Hunter and Bligh. You can follow Kelseigh on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Canstar Blue’s Editorial Team.
1st Energy FAQs
Is 1st Energy any good?
1st Energy offers customers a wide range of products and services across most of Australia, including generous discounts for customers who pay bill their bills on time. While it may not be as big a provider as some, 1st Energy claims to offer an ‘excellent level of customer service and quick solutions’.
Is 1st Energy Australian owned?
Yes, 1st Energy is a privately owned Aussie electricity provider that was founded in 2014. The company is based in Melbourne, with a team it claims has years of experience in the retail energy industry both in Australia and internationally.
What services does 1st Energy offer?
| Service | Does 1st Energy offer it? |
|---|---|
| Online chat functionality | |
| 24 hour call centre | |
| Energy saving tips on website | |
| Green energy options | |
| Notifications when bill is available | |
| Multiple billing options |