Red Energy has landed itself back at the top of our dual fuel provider ratings this year after a short hiatus. Red Energy earned five-star reviews for customer service and overall satisfaction, leading the way from nine other energy retailers.
Comparing electricity plans can be confusing, so throwing gas prices into the mix will make it even more difficult. That’s why Canstar Blue provides an annual review of electricity and gas (also known as ‘dual fuel’) providers to help you make a better-informed decision. We’ve canvassed the opinions of more than 2,600 households across the country to produce the customer satisfaction ratings table you see above, with providers rated on factors including service and value for money. We want to give you a good idea of how these providers are rated by their existing customers, so you can decide whether or not you want to join them!
Keep in mind that – while our ratings include 10 of the most prominent electricity and gas retailers – you may find others operating in your area. Not all of these retailers operate in all parts of the country either – and some only sell electricity in certain areas – so read on for specific details for your state.
Canstar Blue surveyed 2,691 Australians for their feedback on their energy retailer. Respondents had to use the same retailer for their electricity and natural gas supply and pay the bills for their response to be eligible.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their electricity and gas provider from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Provider satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Best Electricity & Gas Providers
Red Energy emerged as the clear winner of our 2023 electricity and gas providers review, scoring five stars from customers for its customer service and overall satisfaction. Customers awarded four stars for overall satisfaction for GloBird Energy, Lumo Energy, Alinta Energy, Momentum Energy and Simply Energy. As for Origin Energy, AGL, EnergyAustralia and ActewAGL, it was just three stars for overall satisfaction.
Australian-owned retailer, GloBird Energy, however, was the only provider in our electricity and gas review to score five stars for value for money this year.
Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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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12% Less than reference price |
$1,608 Price/year (estimated) |
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12% Less than reference price |
$1,606 Price/year (estimated) |
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21% Less than reference price |
$1,442 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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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16% Less than VDO |
$1,318 Price/year (estimated) |
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15% Less than VDO |
$1,335 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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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18% Less than reference price |
$1,625 Price/year (estimated) |
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10% Less than reference price |
$1,772 Price/year (estimated) |
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11% Less than reference price |
$1,743 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Red Energy is this year’s best-rated dual fuel provider, topping five stars for overall satisfaction and customer service. Its value for money and bill and cost clarity earned four stars apiece, while its ease of sign-up and online tools and advice came in at three stars.
Red Energy operates as an electricity and natural gas provider across New South Wales, Victoria, south-east Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. It keeps things fairly simple, with anywhere from two to six market offers for households in each state to consider both in the gas and electricity space, most of which come with variable rates. The retailer doesn’t include exit fees on any of its plans either. Alongside affordable and flexible plans, Red Energy’s biggest selling point is its partnership with Qantas, with points on offer to eligible customers. In addition to impressing dual fuel customers this year, Red Energy has also proven a consistent hit with NSW electricity customers, Victorian electricity customers and households with solar energy power plans.
Last year’s winner, GloBird Energy has slipped to second place this year, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, bill and cost clarity and ease of sign-up. While it remained a fan favourite on price, coming in as the only retailer to earn five stars for value for money, for the remaining research categories GloBird earned just three stars.
GloBird Energy is an Aussie-owned electricity and natural gas provider that’s all about promoting cheap prices with big savings for households. Whether it be electricity or gas plans, GloBird Energy boasts low rates and conditional discounts, making it a point of difference from the ‘big three’ for customers across NSW, SEQ, SA and Victoria. The retailer generally has four to five market offers available at any given time and rewards customers who bundle their electricity and gas with discounts off their final bill.
Lumo Energy earned four stars across almost all research categories this year, including overall satisfaction and customer service. For bill and cost clarity however, this retailer managed a notable five stars. Lumo Energy was the only retailer in 2023 to score top marks in the bill and cost clarity category.
Lumo Energy is an electricity and natural gas provider exclusive to South Australians and Victorians. The provider is owned by renewable generation company Snowy Hydro, alongside its sister company, Red Energy. Lumo Energy focuses its attention on just a few offers in each state, varying in fixed or variable rate options depending on your location. For customers in SA, Lumo Energy also allows access to its Lumo Rewards shopping program, while Victorians can score themselves an eGift Card for switching their mates over. Outside dual fuel, Lumo Energy typically performs well in our natural gas ratings for Victoria.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
For Alinta Energy this year it was four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and bill and cost clarity. In all other research categories, this retailer received just three stars.
Alinta Energy is a major player in the dual fuel space across NSW, VIC, SEQ and SA, offering competitive rates with no conditional discounts to households. Its biggest selling points are its Kayo sports streaming value add-on for eligible customers and its discount rewards program for shoppers and movie-goers. Alinta Energy is owned by Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Chow Tai Fook, but is headquartered in Sydney. The retailer also offers natural gas to customers in Western Australia and is a fan favourite among QLD households for its electricity offerings.
Momentum Energy earned four stars for overall satisfaction, customer service and ease of sign-up this year. Its value for money and bill and cost clarity was rated three stars, while its online tools and advice was deemed worthy of just two stars.
Momentum Energy is a Melbourne-based electricity and natural gas provider owned by renewable generation company, Hydro Tasmania. The retailer spruiks products free from conditional discounts and focuses on keeping things simple, affordable and cleaner where possible. While the retailer only offers dual fuel products in Victoria currently, it does retail electricity plans to households in NSW, SEQ and SA. Momentum Energy has also been recognised previously for its Green Excellence by Canstar Blue.
Simply Energy took away four stars for overall satisfaction, bill and cost clarity and ease of sign-up this year. In all other research categories, it was awarded three stars.
Owned by French utilities giant Engie, Simply Energy is typically a price-competitive brand for households in the electricity and natural gas space. In addition to cheap prices, the provider offers a suite of unique products, including plans which award points towards movie tickets and discounts for certain motoring club members. Simply Energy offers dual fuel products to customers in NSW, VIC and SA, while SEQ households are only eligible for electricity products. The retailer is currently a big fan with SA gas customers and offers carbon offset energy options.
It was an almost clean sweep of three-star ratings for Origin Energy this year, including for its overall satisfaction and value for money. Its point of difference was its online tools and advice, with a notable five-star review. It should also be noted that Origin Energy was the only provider to score five stars in the online tools and advice category this year.
As one of the biggest energy providers in the country, Origin Energy offers a diverse range of electricity and natural gas products for households. These products are suited to a variety of customers, coming with variable rates, no lock-in contracts and a suite of value-adds, such as Everyday Rewards points. Origin Energy operates in NSW, VIC, SEQ, SA and the ACT, and is also a big hit with bundled utilities customers.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for QLD. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Brisbane and yearly gas usage of 6,842MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
AGL earned three stars in nearly all research categories this year. The exception was online tools and advice, where it notched up four stars.
Utilities giant AGL offers electricity and natural gas plans to customers across NSW, VIC, SEQ and SA. Unlike other retailers which rely on multiple discounted offers to garner the attention of households, AGL focuses on just the two plans, both of which come with access to AGL Rewards – the retailer’s loyalty program. Bill credits are occasionally on offer to customers who choose to bundle their electricity and gas plans through AGL, but it is best to check the AGL website to see when these are on offer.
For EnergyAustralia it was a sweep of three-star ratings this year.
EnergyAustralia offers a concise range of electricity and natural gas products to households, some of which offer modest guaranteed discounts to help keep costs low. The retailer also offers carbon offset energy to eligible customers who opt into its Go Neutral program. EnergyAustralia is currently available to electricity and natural gas customers in NSW, VIC, SA and the ACT. Please note, SEQ customers are ineligible for dual fuel with EnergyAustralia as the retailer only provides electricity in this area.
Rounding out our ratings this year is ActewAGL, bringing it home with a clean sweep of three-star reviews in all research categories.
ActewAGL focuses its efforts on the nation’s capital for electricity and natural gas products. Operating solely in the ACT, Queanbeyan and south-east NSW, the retailer offers customers a variety of products, each which accommodate different needs for households. ActewAGL has also been known to offer discounts to customers who sign up to a dual fuel offering, however it is best to check the ActewAGL website for availability.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Buying electricity and gas from the same provider certainly makes life a little easier, but you should only do so if you’re getting a good deal. Like signing up for any energy plan, be sure to read the fine print, including details of any conditional discounts that may be available for getting a dual fuel package from the same provider. It’s pretty common for the retailers to offer sign-up bonuses with dual fuel packages, including discounts for paying bills on time, by direct debit, or for receiving bills via email. You could also get a rebate on your first bill by signing up online.
It’s important to know that some retailers will only offer natural gas as part of a packaged deal with electricity. This means that, if you want to go with two different retailers, it’s much easier to switch the electricity component rather than the gas one.
To make sure you’re getting a good deal overall, it is good to compare a wide range of electricity and gas plans from different providers, and always read their energy price fact sheets for the specific details on charges, fees and conditions.
Your electricity and gas bills will be made up of two main charges:
If you’re a small household that doesn’t use much energy, pay particular attention to the supply charges of your gas and electricity plans as these could make up a higher proportion of your overall costs. On the other hand, if you’re a large household with medium to high energy usage, pay close attention to the usage charges.
Electricity and gas prices can change frequently, so regardless of which provider you go with, be sure to regularly review your options and don’t be afraid to call your retailer and ask for a better deal.
Kelseigh Wrigley covers Australia’s retail energy market, growing her industry specific expertise over the last two years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and has contributed her skills to online publications Hunter & Bligh and local radio station 4ZZZ.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and two years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research TeamOn paper, gas can be an incredibly viable option to power your home, but it has limited utility, while electricity can generate power for almost any application. Aside from rates, you should also take into consideration how much certain gas or electric appliances cost to purchase, and whether the running costs are worth the investment.
The table below shows which retailers currently sell both electricity and gas – and in which states. Note that we only show the states where the retailer sells both electricity and gas. They may sell electricity only in other areas.
| Electricity and Gas Retailer | States | Dual fuel? |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland | |
| Origin | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland, ACT | |
| EnergyAustralia | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, ACT | |
| Red Energy | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland, ACT | |
| Alinta Energy | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland | |
| Dodo | Victoria, NSW | |
| Simply Energy | Victoria, NSW, South Australia | |
| Lumo Energy | Victoria, South Australia | |
| Momentum Energy | Victoria | |
| GloBird Energy | Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland | |
| Sumo | Victoria, NSW | |
| Powershop | Victoria, NSW | |
| CovaU | Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, ACT | |
| ActewAGL | NSW, ACT | |
| Aurora Energy | Tasmania | |
| 1st Energy | Victoria | |
| Kogan Energy | Victoria, NSW | |
| Tango Energy | Victoria |
Paying for electricity and gas with the same retailer does not necessarily mean you’ll be saving on your overall energy costs. In some cases, energy providers offer incentives on dual fuel plans, such as double up discounts, but they could still end up being more expensive in the long run than taking out electricity from one retailer and gas with another. That’s why it’s imperative to compare electricity and gas plans separately to ensure you’re getting competitive deals on both counts.
You will receive two separate bills for electricity and gas given that your electricity and gas meters are read by different distribution companies at different times. These distribution companies then pass on the readings to your retailer for billing purposes. As a result, you may receive gas and electricity bills at different times e.g. electricity monthly, gas quarterly.
Our survey of more than 2,600 households found:
Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s Dual Fuel – National Customer Satisfaction Award:
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