KEY POINTS
- The largest energy companies in Australia are AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin Energy, aka the Big 3.
- ActewAGL, Aurora Energy, Ergon Energy, Momentum Energy, Red Energy and Lumo Energy are all government-owned companies.
- Signing up for an energy plan with the Big 3 doesn’t guarantee the cheapest or best energy plan for you.
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The 10 biggest energy companies in Australia by market share
Note: The figures below represent a brand’s national market share in the residential electricity market.
- Origin Energy: 26.2%
- AGL: 21.5%
- EnergyAustralia: 13.4%
- Ergon Energy: 9.3%
- Red Energy: 7.8%
- Alinta Energy: 4.5%
- Aurora Energy: 3.4%
- ActewAGL: 2.6%
- Simply Energy:2.0%
- Dodo: 1.1%
The above figures have been sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Retail Energy Market Performance Update Q3, 2024-25.
What are the three largest energy companies in Australia?
Origin Energy, AGL and EnergyAustralia are the three largest energy companies in Australia.
Known as the ‘big three’, each has a significant share in the electricity and gas markets of New South Wales and South Australia.
Their dominance has been notably reduced in Victoria and South East Queensland in recent years.
The total electricity market share of the big three energy providers in each state can be found below.
Residential electricity market share by state
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| State | Big three market share |
|---|---|
| NSW | 73.2% |
| VIC | 55.79% |
| QLD | 48.7% |
| SA | 73.9% |
Source: Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Retail Energy Market Performance Update for Quarter 3, 2024-25. Essential Services Commission (ESC), Victorian Energy Market Report 2022-23.
The Big Three also represent almost 76.9% of the residential gas market. AGL maintains the largest market share at 34.3%, Origin Energy with 25.8% and EnergyAustralia at 16.8%.
The retail market share within small business energy is further dominated by the Big Three, who service nearly 58.1% of customers across the National Electricity Market (NEM). AGL owns a 19.0% stake, EnergyAustralia holds 13.0% and Origin Energy maintains the biggest share at 26.1%.
For gas sold to small businesses, Origin claims over half of the market share (55.2%), AGL holds 20.7% and EnergyAustralia comes in with 12.1%.
AGL
Founded back in 1837, AGL Energy is Australia’s oldest energy company and services around 4.3 million accounts – both residential and business.
AGL retails electricity and gas in NSW, VIC, SEQ and SA, as well as gas in NSW, VIC, SA and WA.
AGL electricity prices
Here are the AGL 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 3,900kWh/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 AGL 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 4,000kWh/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 AGL Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4,600kWh/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 AGL 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 4,000kWh/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.
EnergyAustralia
EnergyAustralia has a portfolio of roughly 2.4 million customers throughout Australia and has proven to be a serious contender to Origin Energy and AGL over the years.
The energy retailer supplies electricity in NSW, VIC, SEQ, SA and the ACT. EnergyAustralia also offers gas plans in NSW, VIC SA and the ACT.
EnergyAustralia electricity prices
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for NSW. 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 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 EnergyAustralia plans on our database for Victoria. 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 the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for SE QLD. 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 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 EnergyAustralia plans on our database for South Australia. 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 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
Origin Energy retails electricity and gas to over 4.7 million customers, making it Australia’s largest energy retailer.
Origin sells electricity in NSW, VIC, SEQ, SA and the ACT, as well as natural gas in these states plus WA.
Origin electricity prices
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
What is a tier 1 energy retailer?
A Tier 1 retailer is an energy provider that has more than 10% of the market share in a network region (i.e. Ausgrid or Essential Energy), which includes the big three. Tier 1 retailers also include the likes of Aurora Energy and Actew AGL.
What are tier 2 energy retailers?
A Tier 2 retailer is an energy provider that holds less than 10% of the market share in a network region. A decade ago, Tier 2 retailers were almost non-existent in most states.
However, there are more than 40 smaller companies operating today, helping increase the level of competition across Australia.
Cheap electricity deals
Compare the prices of the top energy companies in your state:
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Which energy retailers are government-owned?
The following energy companies in Australia are owned by the government:
- ActewAGL: Operating in the ACT and regional parts of New South Wales, ActewAGL is jointly owned by Icon Water Limited (an ACT Government-owned corporation) and AGL via subsidiary companies.
- Aurora Energy: A government-owned electricity and gas retailer operating in Tasmania.
- Ergon Energy: Regional Queensland customers in cities like Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville will likely be connected to the government-owned electricity distributor and retailer, Ergon Energy.
- Momentum Energy: Owned and operated by Hydro Tasmania – a Tasmanian government business enterprise and generator – Momentum Energy retails electricity to homes and businesses in NSW, VIC, SEQ and SA.
- Red Energy and Lumo Energy: Red Energy and Lumo Energy are both retail subsidiaries of Snowy Hydro, a federal government-owned energy generation company.
Does a bigger energy company mean better energy deals?
Finding a great deal on energy is achievable with the big three power companies, but being larger doesn’t automatically translate into the ‘best’ or cheapest deals.
Finding the best deal for you comes down to browsing a range of energy deals from multiple energy retailers, particularly as the industry continues to evolve with new offers entering the market.
To see how the biggest energy providers compare in your area, click the link below.
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