New South Wales Electricity Plans Background

New South Wales Electricity Plans

The aim of this page is to help you find a better electricity deal, whether you’re looking for green energy, something with lots of value-add features or just the cheapest deal around. And the good news is you have 25+ electricity providers to choose from in New South Wales, so you’re sure to find a plan that works for you.

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Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
28% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,299 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
15% less
than reference price Glossary
Conditional discounts: Reduces to 24% below the reference price for Pay on Time
$1,368 Glossary
including conditional Glossary
discount Glossary
Award icon Outstanding Value - Electricity Plans NSW
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
20% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,441 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
23% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,393 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
23% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,399 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
17% less
than reference price Glossary
Conditional discounts: $98.94 off the bill for Other
$1,412 Glossary
including conditional Glossary
discount Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
star star star star star
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
21% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,435 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
star star star star star
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
21% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,435 Glossary
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
star star star star star
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
21% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,435 Glossary
Award icon Outstanding Value - Electricity Plans NSW
Distributed By Distributed By Ausgrid
Basic Plan Information
Not yet rated
Glossary
17% less
than reference price Glossary
$1,509 Glossary

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Value Rank out of 10 (High-Low) , then Price/year (estimated) including conditional discount (Low-High) , then Brand Satisfaction (High-Low) . Additional filters may have been applied, which impact the results displayed in the table - filters can be applied or removed at any time.

Understanding electricity in NSW


You may not realise it, but thanks to something called ‘distribution zones’, you’ll likely be paying different rates for power than households in other parts of NSW. It’ll be more pricey for your mates in Northern NSW to connect to power than your house in Sydney, and that’s because distribution costs account for as much as 50 per cent of your total energy bill. 

In NSW, the distribution networks are:

  • Ausgrid: Inner, Northern, Eastern and Southern Sydney, Newcastle. 
  • Endeavour Energy: Western Sydney, Wollongong, Shoalhaven.
  • Essential Energy: Regional NSW, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga.

Unfortunately, you can’t change distribution zones without moving house, but knowledge of where the power is cheaper may sway serious savers when choosing their next home.

Most Satisfied Customers Award – NSW Provider


Each year at Canstar Blue, we release an annual satisfaction rating for electricity providers in New South Wales. In this report, providers are ranked based on value for money, customer service, bill & cost clarity, ease of sign-up, focus on environmental sustainability, online tools and advice and overall satisfaction. 

Red Energy has dominated this award for the last eight years, consecutively scoring top marks from New South Wales electricity customers.

Outstanding Value Award – NSW Provider


Canstar Blue’s Outstanding Value Awards are based on our unique value rank methodology and highlights the electricity providers that offer superior prices, value and features for consumers in each eligible state or territory. 

In 2022, Powershop was awarded for Outstanding Value in New South Wales after being one of most competitively priced retailers across all three of NSW’s distribution networks, during the observational period.

Learn more about electricity in New South Wales


Expert Picks: NSW Electricity Plans

See the best electricity plans in New South Wales as rated by our unique Value Score methodology.

NSW Energy Usage and Supply Rates

How do your electricity rates compare to others available in New South Wales?

NSW Electricity Prices

See a list of electricity prices in New South Wales ranked according to the estimated annual cost.

NSW Electricity Tariffs

Confused about tariffs? Find out what a tariff is and what’s available in New South Wales.

NSW Solar Feed-in Tariffs

Compare solar feed-in tariffs across the state of New South Wales.

Why compare NSW electricity plans with Canstar Blue?


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Switch with confidence

We include a ‘value score’ that ranks electricity plans based on other value-add features in addition to price. Learn more

Meet our energy experts

Canstar Blue Editorial Team

Canstar Blue has a skilled team of experienced journalists, content writers and subject matter experts dedicated to producing factual, up-to-date and well-researched information.


Christine Seib

Christine Seib

Editor-in-Chief

Tara-Donnelly-small

Tara Donnelly

Utilities Editor

Kelseigh Wrigley

Kelseigh Wrigley

Energy Specialist

Meet the Editorial Team

Canstar Blue Data & Research Team

Canstar Blue’s Research Team provides the expertise that powers our Star Ratings and Awards, designed to help Australian consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.


Mitch

Mitch Watson

Group Manager, Research & Insights

Joshua Sale

Joshua Sale

Ratings Manager

Natalie

Natalie Hudepohl

Senior Energy Data Analyst

SAM

Samantha Howse

Consumer Research Specialist

Meet the Research Team

FAQs about NSW Electricity Plans

The likes of GloBird Energy and Nectr are consistently some of the cheapest retailers in NSW. It’s worth noting though that this list is constantly changing thanks to power providers regularly shaking up their offerings. The cheapest electricity provider one day may not be so the next month, so it’s important to regularly compare your rates to ensure you’re on the best deal possible.

Generally, a good usage rate in NSW is 27-28¢/kWh, with a reasonable supply charge sitting at about 90-91¢/day. But ultimately, the best rates are going to come from a retailer that can provide to the needs of your household. If you are part of a smaller, lower usage household, this may be through the use of a cheaper supply charge. For bigger households, this may be the one with the cheapest usage rates.

Financially vulnerable households in New South Wales have options for support in paying their electricity bills. Here is a list of concessions provided by the NSW state government.

  • Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Vouchers: Up to $400 available to households experiencing a short-term financial crisis. This is awarded through vouchers that are added directly to power bills.
  • Low Income Household Rebate: Low income households are eligible for a yearly $285 concession on their power bills. 
  • Seniors Energy Rebate: Seniors in NSW can receive a direct debit of $200 a year to help towards electricity bills. 
  • Family Energy Rebate: A power rebate designed for households that receive the Family Tax Benefit. This is worth up to $180 a year.
  • Life Support Rebate: This rebate assists those using life support equipment by covering a percentage of the electricity costs associated with their machine’s usage. The amount available to customers will vary depending on the circumstances.
  • Medical Energy Rebate: A rebate of up to $285 a year is available on power bills for those who have trouble self-regulating their body temperature due to an illness or disease.

Tariffs describe the method by which your electricity company charges you, so it is important to know and understand your options. In New South Wales, there are a couple of different electricity tariffs available, including:

  • Single rate: Electricity rates are the same regardless of the time of day.
  • Time of use: Different rates depending on when you use electricity — peak, off-peak, and shoulder periods.
  • Controlled load: One or more appliances, such as your hot water system, are metered separately to the rest of the house.

Certain networks in New South Wales also allow access to what is known as a transitional time of use tariff. This kind of tariff acts in a similar fashion to a time of use tariff, however, its peak and off-peak times differentiate based on which season it is.

Canstar Blue makes it easy to compare electricity plans in New South Wales. Compare electricity rates and other features with our comparison tool and find a deal that’s perfect for you. Here’s how it works:

  1. Enter your postcode into our comparison tool or upload a past bill and press the search icon on the right-hand side.
  2. Filter results by provider, contract length, conditional discount, billing frequency, and plan features. If you have a controlled load, edit the blue text in the white box above the tool and change your tariff type in the ‘refine your search section’. 
  3. Sort results by value rank, customer satisfaction or price. 
  4. Find your perfect plan and click the green ‘See offer’ button to sign up on the provider’s page.