
Expert Guide: 1st Energy Review and Rates
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. You can also jump straight into our comparison tool to check the latest pricing for 1st Energy compared to other providers.
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, QLD, 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 3900kWh/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 4600kWh/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 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 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 6775kWh/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’, ‘Prepay Value’ ‘1st Super Saver’ 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 product offers variable rates for an ongoing contract period and includes a small pay on time discount in certain states. This plan also has a Menulog variation in NSW and Victoria, which comes with 10 x $20 Menulog vouchers.
- 1st Super Saver: Like the 1st Saver, 1st Super Saver has variable rates but comes with sign-up credit that’s applied to bills over 12 months. This plan has an online variation available in Victoria.
- Prepay Value: The Prepay Value plan also offers variable rates however, it offers a discount conditional on a forward payment of $1,000 that is credited toward future bills.
What can you expect to pay with 1st Energy?
To give you some idea of what 1st Energy might cost you, we have estimated the annual costs of the retailer’s plans across each state. These annual costs are based on a single rate tariff and average energy consumption figures for households in each state. We show plans that are currently publicly available. To see a range of plans available in your area, use our free comparison tool below.
1st Energy NSW
In the table below, we show 1st Energy prices on the Ausgrid network in Sydney. Plans are listed from the lowest priced estimate first. See here for information on the AER Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,393/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.
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Electricity Plan | Difference from Reference Price^ | Conditional Discounts | Price Estimate* | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Super Saver | 8% Less than Reference Price | 18% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time | $1,144incl. conditional discount | |
1st Saver Menulog | 1% Less than Reference Price | 11% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time | $1,244incl. conditional discount | |
1st Saver | 1% Less than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,383 | |
Basic Plan Information Documents |
*Price assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Ausgrid network in Sydney, but prices differ between distribution areas. May 2022.
See how 1st Energy compares to other electricity retailers in our NSW price comparison report.
1st Energy VIC
In the table below, we show 1st Energy prices on the Citipower network in Melbourne. Plans are listed from the lowest priced estimate first. See here for information on the VDO, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning the VDO is $1,307/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.
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Electricity Plan | Difference from VDO› | Conditional Discounts | Price Estimate˜ | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Super Saver Online | 22% Less Than VDO | No conditional discounts | $1,024 | |
1st Super Saver | 15% Less Than VDO | No conditional discounts | $1,114 | |
1st Super Saver Menulog | 15% Less Than VDO | No conditional discounts | $1,114 | |
Prepay Value | 13% Less Than VDO | No conditional discounts |
$1,131 |
|
Energy Fact Sheets |
~Price assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Citipower network in Melbourne, but prices will differ between distribution areas. May 2022.
See how this brand compares to other electricity providers in our VIC price comparison page.
1st Energy QLD
In the table below, we show 1st Energy prices on the Energex network in Brisbane. Plans are listed from the lowest priced estimate first. See here for information on the AER Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,455/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.
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Electricity Plan | Difference from Reference Price^ | Conditional Discounts | Price Estimate* | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Saver | 1% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,443 | |
Basic Plan Information Documents |
*Price assumes general energy usage of 4600Wh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Estimated price includes any conditional discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Energex network in Brisbane, but prices will differ between distribution areas. May 2022.
According to our calculations, 1st Energy is a reasonably priced electricity retailer, sitting around the middle in our price comparison table for Queensland
1st Energy SA
In the table below, we show 1st Energy prices on the SA Power network in Adelaide. Plans are listed from the lowest priced estimate first. See here for information on the AER Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,716/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area.
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Electricity Plan | Difference from Reference Price^ | Conditional Discounts | Price Estimate* | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Saver | Equal To Reference Price | 10% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time | $1,538incl. conditional discount | |
Basic Plan Information Documents |
*Price assumes general energy usage of 4000Wh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Estimated price includes any conditional discounts that may be available. Pricing based on SA Power network in Adelaide, but prices will differ between distribution areas. May 2022.
Check out how 1st Energy compares to the competition in our SA price comparison report.
1st Energy Tasmania
As mentioned above, 1st Energy became the first residential challenger to Tasmania’s state-owned electricity provider, Aurora Energy, when it entered the market in February 2019. While electricity retailers have been able to enter the regulated Tasmanian energy market since 2014, 1st Energy was the first to make the move. Below are 1st Energy’s electricity rates for the RACT Saver customers in Tasmania.
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Tariff | Type | Supply Charge | Usage Charge |
---|---|---|---|
Tariff 31 | Light and power | 88.42 ¢/day | 24.70 ¢/kWh |
Tariff 41 | Heating and hot water | 16.48 ¢/day | 16.04 ¢/kWh |
Tariff 61 | Controlled load w/ afternoon boost | 20.37 ¢/day | 12.90 ¢/kWh |
Tariff 62 | Controlled load (night only) | 19.47 ¢/day | 12.16 ¢/kWh |
Tariff 93 | Time of use | 98.23 ¢/day | Peak: 29.84 ¢/kWh
Off-peak: 13.89 ¢/kWh |
Prices as of May 2022. Please visit 1st Energy for more details.
The 1st Saver in Tasmania comes with a small discount off usage charges when bills are paid on time, with a benefit period of 12 months.
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 VIC and Tasmania and offers a boosted solar feed-in tariff. These are the feed-in tariffs available in each state, on this offer:
- VIC: 11.7c/kWh
- TAS: 10c/kWh
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
- Cryptocurrency
1st Energy Cryptocurrency Payments
In early 2022, 1st Energy became the first energy retailer in Australia to accept cryptocurrency for bill payments. Customers can use one of the following 13 cryptocurrencies to pay for their 1st Energy power bill:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)
- XRP (XRP)
- Five USD-pegged stable coins – BUSD, DAI, GUSD, USDC and USDP
The retailer uses the US-founded platform BitPay for its cryptocurrency payments.
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 Editor, Jared Mullane covers the retail energy market, with a focus on electricity, gas and solar. Jared has worked in the comparison industry for 5 years and prior to that his work appeared on media outlets including Fairfax Media. He continues to contribute expert articles to retailer publications such as Origin Energy’s blog and has been cited as an energy expert by media outlets ranging from the ABC to The New Daily and 2GB. You can follow Jared 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 |