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Expert Guide: Origin Energy Review and Ratings

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Origin Energy is an integrated power company, generating and selling electricity and natural gas to households and businesses across Australia.

With more than four million customers, the company is one of the largest retailers in the country, drawing on its size and experience to offer Aussies a wide range of products and services. In this article, Canstar Blue takes a close look at Origin Energy, including what’s on offer and what it might cost you.

Origin Energy Prices


The following deals show Origin electricity prices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Please click on your state’s tab to see relevant plan pricing.

Origin Energy Prices NSW

Here are the Origin 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.

Origin Energy Prices VIC

Here are the Origin 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.

Origin Energy Prices QLD

Here are the Origin 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.

Origin Energy Prices SA

Here are the Origin 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.

An Expert’s Guide to Origin Energy


If you’re wondering what services Origin is offering in your state, look no further than the table below. We summarise what you can expect across each state.

State Electricity? Gas?
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
ACT
WA
TAS

Origin Energy Plans

Origin provides a variety of plans, each with their own draw cards. It has three main market offers – called the Everyday Rewards Variable, Go Variable and Home Support – most of which hold a percentage off the default tariff respective to the area you’re in. In addition to Origin’s market offers, the retailer also has a basic offer that simply matches the Reference Price or Victorian Default Offer (VDO) depending on where you live, as well as two solar-specific products with higher rates but generous feed-in tariffs.

Everyday Rewards Variable

Origin Energy has partnered with Woolworths to offer its plan, Everyday Rewards. This electricity deal allows new Origin customers to earn 5,000 Everyday Rewards points, while existing Origin customers who switch to this offer will nab 2,500 points. An additional point can be earned for every dollar spent on energy bills, plus bonus points are awarded to customers who opt into Origin Zero – the retailer’s optional carbon offset product that’s certified carbon neutral by Climate Active. Please note, Origin Zero comes at a small additional charge on bills.

Go Variable

As the name suggests, Go is Origin’s flagship variable rate product. This deal is offered over a 12 month benefit period and comes with no lock-in contract or exit fees. Go Zero carbon offsets and GreenPower options are available.

Home Support

The Home Support plan gives customers access to an Allianz Emergency Home Assistance membership for 12 months. This covers households for things such as burst pipes or blocked pipes.

Basic

This plan simply matches the Reference Price/VDO in each area, not offering any discounts and making it Origin’s most expensive product. It comes with no exit fees or lock-in contract.


Read more: Powershop Vs. Origin Comparison


 

Other Expert Guides on Australian energy providers worth checking out:

Origin Energy Solar


Origin offers a full range of solar products. It has partnered up with leading manufacturers like Fronius, Trina and Tesla to help provide customers with a number of solar panels and inverters, with the option to add a Tesla Powerwall to complete your PV system. See our guide on Origin Energy solar for more information on what the retailer offers customers.

Origin Solar Plans

Origin currently has three solar-specific energy plans available to customers with solar panels; Solar Boost, Solar Boost Plus and Go Solar Variable.

Solar Boost

This plan is designed for customers with solar panels. It includes a boosted feed-in tariff of 12c/kWh. It’s important to note that this plan comes with an export limit of 14kWh per day, meaning households will receive the ‘boosted’ FiT rate for this daily amount only. It then reverts to a smaller FiT ranging between 4.9c/kWh and 7c/kWh, depending on location.

Solar Boost Plus

Much like the deal above, the Solar Boost Plus plan is catered to customers with solar panels. In this case, though, signing up is subject to a range of Origin T&Cs, such as having installed a solar system through the energy giant itself. In exchange, customers can expect a boosted feed-in tariff of between 17c/kWh and 20c/kWh depending on your state and the size system installed.

Go Solar Variable

Available in NSW, VIC, SA and QLD, this offer is open to customers with a net metered solar PV system, who aren’t already receiving a government funded feed-in tariff. This is a variable rate plan that includes FiTs of between 8c and 10c/kWh, depending on your state.

Origin Solar Plans NSW

Here are the Origin Energy solar plans available on our database in NSW. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. This table includes products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Origin Solar Plans VIC

Here are the Origin Energy solar plans available on our database in Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. This table includes products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Origin Solar Plans QLD

Here are the Origin Energy solar plans available on our database in SE QLD. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. This table includes products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Origin Solar Plans SA

Here are the Origin Energy solar plans available on our database in SA. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. This table includes products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Origin Solar Feed-in Tariffs

Origin Energy offers a standard feed-in tariff of between 4.9c/kWh and 10c/kWh to households that export their solar power to the energy grid. But eligible customers can get even more for their solar power by signing up to Origin’s ‘Solar Boost’ or ‘Solar Boost Plus’, which include slightly higher FiTs of:

  • NSW: 7c-20c/kWh
  • VIC: 4.9c-20c/kWh
  • QLD: 5c-20c/kWh
  • SA: 6c-20c/kWh
  • ACT: 10c-20c/kWh

Compare Solar Providers

Origin Energy Gas


Origin Energy is one of Australia’s largest gas companies. It retails natural gas and LPG to homes and businesses to most of Australia, excluding the Northern Territory and Tasmania. It has four gas products on offer which largely mirror its electricity deals.

Everyday Rewards Gas

Everyday Rewards plan allows new Origin customers to bank an extra 5,000 Everyday Rewards points upon sign up, as well as receiving one point for every $1 paid on gas bills. Existing customers who switch to this offer will be eligible for 2,500 Everyday Rewards points. This plan comes with a 12-month benefit period.

Go Gas

The Go plan, much like its electricity counterpart, comes with variable rates for 12 months. It also comes with flexible payment options and has no exit fees or lock-in contracts.

Basic Gas

Basic (natural gas) is the retailer’s no-discount plan. It comes with no exit fees or lock in contract.

Contact Information & Billing Details


If you ever need to contact Origin Energy about a product or service, you’ll find all the details below.

Origin Energy Contact Information

Depending on where you live and the service you are after, Origin Energy has multiple points of contact. Details are listed below:

  • General enquiries (residential): 13 24 61
  • General enquiries (business): 1300 661 544
  • Moving house energy enquiries: 13 66 83
  • New meters & installation enquiries: 1300 132 480
  • Solar/heating/cooling enquiries: 1300 791 468
  • Hot water enquiries: 1800 684 993
  • LPG enquiries: 13 35 74
  • Postal address: GPO Box 1199, Adelaide SA 5001

Origin Energy Billing

As one of the largest energy companies in Australia, Origin is quite flexible with its payment options. Some of the ways Origin Energy customers can pay their bill include:

  • Online: Head to the Origin Energy website to pay your bill. Please note, you will need your account number handy.
  • BPay: Simply log on to your online bank account, choose Bpay, and type in the biller code and reference number on your bill.
  • Direct Debit: You can set up Direct Debit using My Account or through the Origin app.
  • App: Log in to the Origin App and pay your bill through here.
  • In Person: Pay at the post office by cash, cheque or EFTPOS.
  • Mail: Send a cheque and the payment slip off your bill and post it to the address on the slip.
  • Centrepay: Nominate part of your Centrelink payment to go towards your energy bill through your online Centrelink account.

Online tools

Origin’s ‘My Account’ lets customers manage all their energy accounts and queries in the one spot. Among many of its features, customers can:

  • View and pay bills
  • Change payment options
  • Renew or change plan
  • Change property
  • Update contact details
  • Request usage data
  • Receive energy efficiency tips

In addition to My Account, customers have access to the Origin Energy app, which can be downloaded via Google Play and the Apple Store.

How do I read my Origin bill?

There is a dedicated page on how to read your bill found on Origin Energy’s website. Otherwise, you can find all the information you need by reading our guide on how to read gas and electricity bills. We’ll run you through the basics on what fees, charges and details to look out for.

How do customers rate Origin Energy?


Bundled energy and telco customers across Australia rated Origin Energy 5 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction in our 2024 customer ratings report.

In our 2023 electricity customer ratings reports, households in South Australia gave Origin Energy 4 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction. It was also rated 4 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction by New South Wales natural gas customers in our 2023 ratings report.

Origin Bundled Utilities

Canstar Blue
Rating:
Award: Overall Satisfaction

Origin Electricity SA

Canstar Blue
Rating:
Award: Overall Satisfaction

Origin Natural Gas NSW

Canstar Blue
Rating:
Award: Overall Satisfaction

Compare Origin Energy in some of our other Most Satisfied Customers Awards:

Canstar Blue Outstanding Value logo Electricity Plans ACT 2023

Outstanding Value Electricity Plans and Solar Electricity Plans 2023

In 2023, Origin Energy was awarded Canstar Blue’s Outstanding Value award for its electricity plans and solar electricity plans in the ACT. Origin was recognised for its strong price performance in the state.


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.


Origin Energy FAQs


Is Origin Energy any good?

Origin is a well-rounded retailer, offering solid value across most of its plans. While our calculations suggest it isn’t always the cheapest retailer, the level of service it provides is almost unparalleled.

Origin’s cheapest plans comes with modest to generous savings off the Reference Price and VDO. But if you want to remain with the provider long-term, you may need to make the occasional phone call to ensure you’re still getting its cheapest offer. At the end of the day, whether this brand is right for you is a matter of preference. If you’re after a reputable brand with strong service, Origin is worth checking out. If you just want the best price, then you will need to compare and shop around.

Who owns Origin Energy?

Origin Energy is an ASX listed company founded in 2000 following the demerger of the energy business from the building and construction arms of Boral Limited. The power giant has a rich history in Australia, but is owned by multiple shareholders across the world.

What other services does Origin Energy offer?

Origin Energy has its hand in almost everything energy related, so it’s not surprising that the company has broadened its services to include LPG.

LPG

Origin has a comprehensive range of LPG services available across most of Australia. Its services include gas fitting, delivery, exchange and refills. Customers can order at a whim, or organise for Origin to periodically deliver gas so you never run out.

Does Origin Energy generate its own power?

Origin’s energy generation portfolio is one of the biggest in Australia, according to the Australian Energy Regulator, with somewhere around 6,010MW capacity, making up about 13% of the National Electricity Market’s total energy mix. Listed below are the types of electricity and gas generation stations that Origin has a stake in:

  • Coal fired stations
  • Gas fired stations
  • Wind farms
  • Geothermal power stations
  • Large-scale solar farms