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NSW Energy Rates Explained

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In this Canstar Blue guide, we reveal what usage and supply rates customers in New South Wales can expect to pay for their electricity. We also share some tips around finding this information on your bill.

When it comes to signing up to an energy plan, most of us don’t pay much attention to the fine print. It’s not until the bill arrives that people question how much they’re charged for electricity, and if the rates they are paying are reasonable. And let’s face it, nobody in New South Wales wants to pay more for power than they have to.

That’s why knowing how to spot a good electricity rate is so beneficial to your back pocket, as these charges will have the biggest impact on your power bills. It’s also important to understand that where you live plays a significant part in how much rates cost, given that there are three electricity distribution networks in NSW. This means that people in suburbs of Greater Western Sydney may pay different rates to those who live near the CBD, while those in Byron Bay will have different prices compared to customers in Newcastle. If you are looking for specific rates in your area, be sure to use our free comparison tool below, otherwise read on for average estimates in the state.

Electricity Rates NSW

Here are the general usage rates and daily supply rates for customers in New South Wales. These electricity rates are based on residential customers who live in Sydney on the Ausgrid network. We list the rates of the cheapest published deal available on our database from each retailer for single rate tariffs only.

Energy retailers are currently navigating a volatile wholesale market. Some of the retailers below may have temporarily switched off their market offer plans to new customers. We will do our best to keep this table and the details on this page up to date as new information becomes available. Please check plan details and availability directly with providers.

Electricity Provider Electricity Plan General Usage Rate Daily Supply Charge
AGL Value Saver 32.29¢/kWh 79.20¢/day
Alinta Energy BetterDeal 37.75¢/kWh 95.69¢/day
Amber Electric Amber Plan – Variable Wholesale Prices 27.43¢/kWh 82.29¢/kWh
CovaU Energy Freedom 35.48¢/kWh 88.02¢/day
Diamond Energy Everyday Renewable Saver 32.73¢/kWh 77.00¢/day
Dodo Market Offer 30.29¢/kWh 70.07¢/day
EnergyAustralia Flexi Plan 37.76¢/kWh 95.70¢/day
Energy Locals Online Member 31.50¢/kWh 57.00¢/day
Engie Blue Perks 37.27¢/kWh 100.89¢/day
GloBird Energy Glosave 39.60¢/kWh 86.90¢/day
Kogan Energy Kogan Energy with Free First 27.35¢/kWh 96.84¢/day
Momentum Energy Nothing Fancy 25.74¢/kWh 142.45¢/day
Nectr 100% Clean 31.94¢/kWh 100.87¢/day
Origin Energy Go Variable 31.93¢/kWh 83.13¢/day
OVO Energy The One Plan 29.92¢/kWh 77.00¢/day
Pacific Blue Blue First 31.13¢/kWh 78.10¢/day
Powershop Power House 27.35¢/kWh 96.84¢/day
Red Energy Living Energy Saver 30.64¢/kWh 75.63¢/day
Sumo Sumo Freedom 37.40¢/kWh 92.40¢/day
Tango Energy Eselect 34.98¢/kWh 78.10¢/day
1st Energy 1st Saver 35.97¢/kWh 112.20¢/day
Discover Energy TBC TBC TBC
Electricity in a Box TBC TBC TBC
Future X Power TBC TBC TBC
GEE Energy TBC TBC TBC
Glow Power TBC TBC TBC
Radian Energy TBC TBC TBC
ReAmped Energy TBC TBC TBC
Smart Energy TBC TBC TBC
Basic Plan Information Documents

Rates and products subject to change. Accurate as of April 2024.

Compare NSW Electricity Prices

It’s important to know what energy rates you’re paying for usage and supply, but working out what these rates translate to in terms of overall power costs can be tricky. That’s why Canstar Blue does the calculations for you, so you can see what some of the cheapest deals in your area are, without having to be a mathematical genius. Based on current rates, the table below lists a selection of great deals across each of NSW’s three distribution zones. Click on the relevant tab for your area to see pricing.

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 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 Endeavour Energy network in Wollongong but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4913kWh/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 Essential Energy network in Coffs Harbour 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.

Electricity usage costs (per kWh) in NSW

Energy takes up a large portion of household budgets and is an ongoing cost many of us begrudgingly pay every quarter or so. But how much does electricity cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) in NSW? At the time of publication, residential customers in NSW can expect to pay around 34 cents per kWh, however cheaper energy usage rates may become available. While these costs refer to the prices charged for consuming power, electricity usage rates only make up one section of energy bills.

Where are usage rates located on a bill?

Usage rates are normally found on the section of your bill which outlines each specific fee and charge. The below example lists the usage charge as $0.28028 or roughly 28c/kWh. In this example, the usage charge is referred to as ‘Any Time Usage’.

Alinta Energy bill example usage rates

Electricity supply costs in NSW

Otherwise known as an electricity supply charge or daily supply fee, these costs refer to the rates customers pay just for being connected to the grid. Aside from billing homes for using power, energy retailers will also charge customers for supplying their property with electricity, usually charged as a daily cost (cents per day). Supply costs can vary considerably, but expect to pay around 90c to a $1 a day in NSW.

Where are supply rates located on a bill?

The rate you’re charged for electricity supply is typically found in the breakdown of costs and fees section of your bill. In the below example, the supply charge is $1.11870/day. Keep in mind that supply charges may be under a different name depending on the retailer.

Alinta Energy bill example of supply charge

How to find a deal with cheap energy rates in NSW

One of the many great things about living in NSW is there are so many choices when it comes to choosing an energy provider. Finding a deal with cheap electricity rates is made much easier with our free comparison tool. All we need from you is your postcode. From here you can start comparing a range of plans, filtering product details that are important to you, including the rates you’ll pay on specific deals. Get started today.

Compare Electricity Providers

Image credit: Jamen Percy/Shutterstock.com

Katrina Hasdell
Energy Content Producer
Katrina Hasdell is an Energy Content Producer at Canstar Blue, where she covers Australia’s retail energy market. Katrina is dedicated to providing consumers with easy-to-read information on their energy options so they can get better deals on electricity, solar power and more.

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