Queensland energy rates explained

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Since retail electricity prices were deregulated in 2016, South East Queensland has experienced a surge in competition. With more than 20 energy retailers open for business in the Sunshine State, it’s no wonder Queenslanders aren’t settling for less when it comes to paying for power. Yet, with so many deals on offer, how do you know which plans have cheap electricity rates?

Behind any discount, promotional offer or sign-up credit, the base rates of your energy plan will generally have the biggest impact on your bills. That’s why it’s worth diving a little deeper into the fine print, otherwise what looked like a good deal on paper could end up being a dud once that first bill arrives. In this article, we list usage and supply rates from retailers currently operating in Brisbane on the Energex network. Use our comparison tool below for specific rates in your area.

Electricity rates QLD

Here are the general usage rates and daily supply charges for customers in South East Queensland. These electricity rates are based on residential customers in Brisbane on the Energex network. We list the rates of the cheapest published deal available on our database from each retailer for single rate tariffs only.

Rates and products are subject to change. Accurate as of July 2024.

Compare QLD electricity prices

Energy rates will likely dictate the bulk of what Queenslanders pay in terms of overall price. So, to give you an idea of what a typical household will pay in yearly electricity costs, we’ve calculated the rates from some of the cheapest deals on our database.

Electricity usage costs (per kWh) in QLD

As the name suggests, usage costs refer to the energy rates you pay for using power in your home. Electricity usage charges are calculated in kilowatt hours (kWh), and depending on the plan, will be between 25c/kWh and 30c/kWh in Queensland. Usage charges are generally the largest component of your energy bill, especially if your household consumes a lot of power.

Where are usage rates found on a bill?

Electricity usage rates are usually located in the breakdown or summary of your energy bill. Keep in mind that some retailers call usage charges by a different name, such as ‘peak usage’ or ‘anytime usage’.

Electricity supply costs in QLD

Electricity supply charges refer to the cost of power being supplied to your home. These costs are a fixed fee and tend to sit around 90c to $1.20 a day, which can add up over a monthly or quarterly billing cycle. That’s why it’s a good idea to check the supply rates of any plan before signing up.

Where are supply charges found on a bill?

Like the usage costs, supply rates are normally found in the breakdown of charges on your bill. The example below calls this rate the ‘service to property charge’, but remember that other retailers may call it under a different name, like ‘fixed daily charge’.

What about energy rates in regional QLD?

What sets Queensland apart from the rest is that only the south east is deregulated, while energy prices in regional QLD are regulated. This means that residential customers outside of SEQ are not able to choose their energy provider and will likely be connected to Ergon Energy.

Living in regional or far north QLD? See the power rates you can expect to pay in our regional QLD energy pricing guide.

How to find a plan with cheap energy rates in QLD

Energy customers in SEQ have plenty of choices when it comes to picking a retailer, many of which offer cheap electricity rates. Just be sure to check all the details of a plan before signing up. That way you’ll be in a position to find a deal that’s suitable to your household’s needs. Rather than scanning multiple retailer websites, jump into our comparison tool and start comparing a range of prices and products side by side.

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