Canstar Blue’s review of Queensland electricity providers compares Alinta Energy, Red Energy, Click Energy, Origin, AGL and EnergyAustralia on their customer service, bill & cost clarity, tools & advice, focus on environmental sustainability, ease of sign-up, value for money and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Alinta Energy has made it three years at the top of our customer satisfaction ratings for electricity providers in south-east Queensland. It achieved five-star reviews for its ease of sign-up, bill & cost clarity, customer service, environmental sustainability, value for money, online tools & advice overall satisfaction, leading the way from Red Energy, EnergyAustralia, Click Energy, AGL and Origin.
Energy has been a hot topic in recent years, and Queenslanders are no strangers to high electricity bills, especially when it comes to summer and the cost of air conditioning. But the good news is that the QLD electricity market is almost unrecognisable from just a couple of years ago, with several new retailers to pick from and competition becoming fierce. While many Queenslanders continue to pay for power with one of the big three providers, many have turned to an increasing number of smaller players promising a better deal and superior service. So, what should you do? In this report, we list QLD electricity providers based on their customer satisfaction, while offering a detailed electricity buying guide for the Sunshine State, and revealing which companies currently have the cheapest prices in our database.
We want to give you as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision about your next electricity provider. The improved competition in Queensland is certainly good news, and seems to have put a downward pressure on electricity prices. But with the increased marketing and claims of big savings, finding the right power company for your needs has become a tougher challenge. That’s where our comparison can help as we have rated QLD electricity providers based on the real-world experiences of their customers. This year, almost 1,500 households have given us their views. Read on for details.
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 4600kWh/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.
 |
|
28% Less than reference price |
$1,089 price/year (estimated) |
Go to site |
 |
|
18% Less than reference price |
$1,235 price/year (estimated) |
Go to site |
 |
|
16% Less than reference price |
$1,262 price/year (estimated) |
Go to site |
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 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.
Here are the best energy providers in QLD as rated by customers in Canstar Blue’s latest satisfaction survey:
It’s a fantastic result for Alinta Energy to top the ratings for three years on the spin, having only launched in the Sunshine State back in 2017. It’s certainly made a big impact with one of the most competitive deals in the Brisbane area, while also ticking the right boxes in respect of customer service. This year, Red Energy and EnergyAustralia were the closest challengers with four stars for overall satisfaction, head of Click Energy, AGL and Origin Energy on three stars.
Read on as we explain everything you need to know about these six electricity providers, and how to get a better deal from them. But first, why not take a look at a selection of great deals from our database.
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 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. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
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 4600kWh/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.
Here are the EnergyAustralia 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 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.
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 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.
Alinta Energy is one of the biggest electricity and gas suppliers in the southern states of Australia, and gas retailers in Western Australia, but is still a relatively new addition to SE QLD. Alinta is now owned by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises but remains headquartered in Sydney, with another large office in Perth. In terms of electricity retail, Alinta keeps things relatively simple with just one or two market offers in each state that it serves, plus a specific solar product for Queenslanders. Alinta’s electricity plans previously came with significant discounts off usage charges but following the introduction of new industry regulations, its plans now come with lower rates and no discounts. One deal brings a specific offer for sports fans, shown below. There are no lock-in contracts or exit fees. Rates are variable. Alinta has also recently launched a rewards program which brings savings on things like movie tickets and other attractions, electronics and even jewellery!
Red Energy is another relatively new retailer in Queensland and also making a good impression. Having dominated our NSW electricity ratings for several years now, Red Energy also arrived in SE QLD in 2017 and has more recently become just the third gas supplier in the state alongside AGL and Origin. Owned by the renewable energy generation company Snowy Hydro, Red Energy’s big selling point is its partnership with Qantas which sees customers collect Frequent Flyer points for money spent on energy. Red Energy has earned a solid reputation for good customer service, reflected by its continued success in NSW, as well as its consistently positive performance in QLD.
EnergyAustralia has drastically changed it product offers in SE Queensland in recent times, removing several deals promoting conditional discounts and instead now focusing on fixed rate plans that are competitively priced without the need for customers to meet conditions like paying on time. The first fixed rate plan has no discounts but rates locked in for 12 months, while the other fixed rate plan comes with an unconditional discount. EnergyAustralia’s third offer simply matches the Reference Price for Queensland. All EnergyAustralia plans are said to be carbon neutral for customers who opt in (you’ll need to check the EA website for details). The company helpfully publishes estimated monthly costs for all its plans online so you’ll have an idea of what you’ll pay before signing up.
Claiming that its online business model helps keep costs low, Click Energy has been a consistently-strong performer in our electricity provider ratings in recent years. Now owned by popular phone and internet operator Amaysim – now also an energy retailer – Click typically provides one standard market offer in Queensland, but the product made publicly available could vary from time to time. Click Energy is also one of few QLD providers to offer solar specific products with seemingly generous feed-in tariffs. Though you’ll have to check the specific details to make sure that the feed-in tariff benefit compensates for the usage rates paid. Click Energy’s plans come with variable rates, no contract terms, or exit fees. The retailer is also known to offer various sign-up incentives, including bill credit and even gift cards. However, it has moved away from the big, often confusing, discounts that it previously offered.
Energy giant AGL typically brings two electricity market offers to the table in south-east QLD, with varying benefits and conditions based on personal preferences. The Essentials plan freezes rates for 12 months and the Essentials Saver plan comes with variable rates. AGL has at times offered a specific solar product for Queenslanders with solar panels, delivering one of the biggest feed-in tariffs in the market. AGL’s customers can also earn flybuys points, with one point awarded for every $1 they spend on energy. Those who sign up online can also bank up to 5,000 bonus points over 15 months.
Origin Energy recently relaunched its entire product range following the introduction of new, tougher industry regulations designed to make energy plans simpler and easier to compare. Despite previously offering several products with large conditional discounts which only lasted for a year or two, Origin now promotes three main market offers, all free of conditional discounts and instead just promising competitive rates. The first plan packs the lowest rates. The other plan is suited to those that want more flexibility in their billing and payments, carrying slightly higher rates in exchange. Origin Basic is the retailer’s most ‘basic’ plan, which has the same rates as the Reference Price. Origin is also one of Australia’s leading solar retailers, with specific plans for customers who own solar panels.
All of the electricity retailers mentioned above also provide standard contracts in Queensland. These are default energy plans that customers will be on if they have never switched providers, or haven’t taken up another offer in several years.
Here is a list of energy providers in South East Queensland.
Canstar Blue’s electricity comparison service includes pricing from all of these providers. These companies only operate in South-East Queensland. Ergon Energy is the only electricity retailer in regional Queensland, which we’ll come to shortly. Use our free comparison tool to compare a range of energy plans from retailers in your specific area.
This report talks about the new Reference Price for energy, but what exactly is it? Well, in July 2019, tough new industry regulations took effect designed to simplify energy plans and the way consumers compare. Part of the change was that a new, cheaper Default Market Offer (DMO) was introduced that saw customers on expensive standing offers automatically switched onto the cheaper tariff. This resulted in notable savings for these customers, but the DMO also now acts as a Reference Price from which all products must now be compared. The Reference Price is consistent across all retailers, so you can be sure the percentage savings referenced (either more than or less than the Reference Price) genuinely indicate the true value of a plan, as opposed to the previous way of doing thing whereby discounts were all applied to different base rates.
It’s important to understand that, when it comes to electricity, Queensland is split into two very different geographical areas. In 2016, the Queensland Government deregulated the electricity market in the south east of the state, meaning that the energy companies are now free to set their own products, prices and conditions – a move designed to increase competition and put downward pressure on prices. Households in Brisbane and the surrounding areas have been able to switch electricity providers since 2007 when ‘Full Retail Competition’ was introduced, but price regulations meant there was little or no cost benefit in doing so. Now the level of competition between providers has increased dramatically and consumers are being presented with all manner of sign-up and ongoing incentives to switch.
Meanwhile, it’s a case of ‘as you were’ for the rest of Queensland, as the state Government continues to control electricity pricing, with Ergon Energy the only provider for regional areas. To summarise:
SE QLD is covered by the Energex electricity network, while most of regional QLD is on the Ergon network. A small area around Goondiwindi on the NSW border in southern QLD falls onto the Essential Energy network, which covers huge parts of rural NSW.
2016 was also a significant year for the Queensland electricity market as the state Government decided to merge its two electricity distributors – Ergon Energy and Energex. In addition to providing retail services throughout regional Queensland, Ergon Energy is also the energy distributor, meaning it is responsible for managing and improving the vast network infrastructure which delivers power to homes and businesses. Energex is the electricity distributor for SE QLD. The state-owned companies have been brought together under parent company Energy Queensland, based in Townsville.
The Queensland Government continues to play an integral role in the generation of electricity in the state. It owns a wealth of coal-fired and gas turbine power stations scattered across Queensland, plus hydroelectric stations and solar and wind farms.
State-owned energy companies returned $2.3 billion into the Government’s coffers in dividends and tax payments in 2017.
With so many electricity providers operating in SE Queensland, households have a wide range of plans to choose from. The vast majority of market electricity contracts come with variable rates, meaning that the retailer can adjust prices at any time. However, some retailers provide fixed rate deals whereby customers can lock in rates that do not change for one or two years, offering some protection against price increases.
While AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia dominate the SE QLD market – with 80+% market share according to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) latest industry report – other companies are starting to make their presence known, with Alinta Energy and Red Energy the two most notable additions to the state in recent times. Meanwhile, Powershop gives its customers the opportunity to save on bills in the long-run with the sale of future ‘power packs’ through its online store. The idea is that you can purchase electricity ahead of time at reduced rates. The catch is that you’ll have to log on to the website at least once a month to get the best deals, but for proactive energy-users, it may be worth the effort.
Most electricity plans in Queensland come with a feed-in tariff for solar customers. However, the feed-in tariffs in QLD can vary dramatically between providers. The good news is that, given QLD has the highest solar penetration rate in Australia, the retailers are competing to offer the most favourable rates possible. This means various solar specific plans for Queenslanders and feed-in tariffs of up to 20c per kWh.
Whether you’re on a standard or market electricity contract – or have a variable or fixed rate product – it is hugely important that you understand all of the different costs that make up your power bills. The two main charges that make up your bills are supply and usage charges:
For households with high energy requirements, usage charges will generally make up the majority of your overall costs. However, lower usage households should pay particular attention to supply charges as these will likely make up a higher proportion of your overall costs.
Discounts were previously the main marketing tool of energy retailers in Queensland, but following changes to industry regulations in 2019, most have moved away from discounts and instead compete to offer the lowest base prices, or other sign-up incentives like bill credits. Some retailers still offer discounts, which are generally dependent on paying bills on time or by direct debit. Some providers also provide an additional discount if customers receive their bills via email instead of post.
With the average electricity bill in Queensland around $1,600 a year, this will be putting a huge financial pressure on some customers. As such, the Queensland Government provides energy rebates for eligible seniors and pensioners. The Electricity Rebate could knock as much as $340 off a customer’s annual power bill. Concessions may also be available for Health Care Card holders. Contact your retailer for details.
In addition to a growing number of electricity plans, households in SE QLD can also consider a number of tariff options that may better-suit their usage habits. An electricity tariff relates to the pricing structure of an energy plan. All power plans have a fixed daily charge for the supply of power to the premises, but the rates that you pay for electricity usage can vary significantly depending on when you use power. The two primary tariffs in Queensland are known as single rate and time of use.
A single rate tariff means households are charged the same amount for electricity whatever time of day they happen to use it, while time of use tariffs can have multiple prices depending on when you use power. Time of use tariffs come with ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ rates – with electricity more expensive during periods of high demand – as well as ‘shoulder’ rates for times in between. While single rate tariffs can be used with any type of energy meter, households will need a smart meter or interval meter to access a time of use tariff.
In Queensland, the following electricity tariffs are available. Remember that prices in SE QLD are set by the retailers, with those in regional areas set by the Queensland Competition Authority.
Other, less common QLD electricity tariffs include Tariff 14 (Demand) and Tariff 35 (Smart Control).
If you have a smart meter, there could be savings to be had on a time of use tariff. However, you first need to understand the different pricing structures to find a deal that works for you. Switching to a time of use tariff and still using lots of electricity when prices are highest in the early evening could prove a financially costly mistake.
While our customer satisfaction ratings offer an insight into the ‘value for money’ electricity providers in SE Queensland are deemed to offer (i.e. price versus the quality of service you receive), Canstar Blue also calculates electricity prices for households to show which providers deliver the cheapest overall costs to customers. ‘Cheapest’ doesn’t automatically mean the ‘best’, but for a helpful guide on electricity prices in Brisbane and the surrounding areas, consult our dedicated cost comparison report. You will notice there is a huge difference in costs between providers, so it’s a smart move to regularly shop around.
Picking a new electricity provider is not a simple decision, but the good news is that most companies offer plans with no contract agreements – or at least no exit fees – meaning you can easily switch if things don’t work out as you had hoped (i.e. they prove too expensive or their service isn’t up to scratch). Our customer reviews offer a helpful insight into how existing customers rate the biggest operators in SE Queensland – and our electricity database shows where you can find the cheapest rates in the Brisbane area – but you will only really know an energy company once you have signed up to it. However, here are some things to consider before doing so, and some questions you may want to consider:
All energy companies are required by law to publish price fact sheets for each of their products, where you will be able to find the answers to these questions, and also check the usage and supply charges you will pay. However, these documents are not always the easiest to interpret, so don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask for some straight answers to straight questions.
As an energy customer, you have consumer rights, so if you’re not happy with your existing agreement, make sure you contact your retailer and seek a resolution. If you decide to switch providers, you have a 10-day cooling off period to change your mind without incurring any fees. When comparing offers, be sure to check the costs you’ll be charged, and keep our customer ratings in mind. Everyone wants cheap prices, but good customer service can be just as important. The Queensland electricity market has never been so competitive, so be sure to take advantage of this and find a better deal.
This page was originally published by Canstar Blue Editor-in-Chief Simon Downes. He’s been writing about electricity prices in Queensland for more than five years, covering the initial deregulation of the market in 2016, the influx of new retailers and competitive offers, dodgy discounts, and more recently the fallout from new industry regulations designed to make energy plans more transparent. Simon also acts as spokesperson for Canstar Blue and is one of Australia’s best-known energy retail commentators.
Our electricity provider ratings for QLD saw a number of brands perform well in different areas. These ratings are based on the feedback of over 1,400 bill-payers in the state.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Amaysim before, but what you may not know is that the phone plan provider is also now offering energy plans to households in QLD, NSW, VIC and SA. Amaysim also owns another power brand, Click Energy, which has become one of the biggest challengers across the state in recent years. However, the two retailers operate independently, with Amaysim offering a few residential market offers in QLD, including one specifically aimed at Queenslanders who have solar panels, promising a competitive feed-in tariff, as well as subscription-based plans. Like Click Energy, Amaysim previously boasted big headline discounts, but now all plans come with no conditional discounts, lock in contracts or exit fees, with monthly billing available.
Amber Electric is another small retailer operating in south east QLD. Amber claims to bring a more ‘honest’ approach to electricity, by giving customers access to wholesale energy prices for a monthly subscription fee. The company operates under Energy Locals and is heavily focused on green energy, offsetting the carbon impact of customers’ electricity usage through the purchase of carbon certificates.
The latest electricity retailer to enter the Sunshine State is CovaU, known predominately as a multi-utility provider, including gas, insurance and mobile services. The energy provider tends to list two market offers in each state it operates in, with a solar-specific plan for those customers with PV systems. CovaU currently retails electricity and gas in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Ranked second in Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide, Diamond Energy is a smaller retailer with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, available in QLD, NSW, SA and VIC. The electricity provider has earned this title through its many investments into renewable energy generators. In QLD, its single residential market offer comes with a modest pay on time, direct debit and email billing discount off your whole bill. This discount lasts the length of the two-year billing period.
New retailer, Discover Energy, has emerged as a no-nonsense electricity provider that offers low rates across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Depending on where you live, Discover Energy offers two or three market offers in each state, along with a default plan. Discover Energy has established itself as 100% Australian-owned and run by innovators and IT geeks – disrupting the way conventional energy retailers sell their plans.
While most of us will have vague memories of Dodo’s early 2000s TV ads offering budget internet plans, what might shock you is that in the present day, Dodo Power & Gas has become one of the biggest ‘second tier’ residential energy retailers. Owned by Vocus Communications – which also owns telco brands iPrimus and Commander – Dodo Power is available across QLD, NSW, VIC and SA, Dodo’s single market offer plan comes with no discounts, just reasonably competitive rates and no exit fees.
Established in Victoria, Elysian Energy is now in the sunshine state, offering Queenslanders a different way of paying for power. Elysian Energy mirrors a phone plan as it gives customers a fixed rate for a certain amount of power, which is based on the size of a household’s energy needs.
Energy Locals is another environmentally-conscious energy retailer offering electricity plans across QLD, NSW, SA and ACT. A quirk of the brand is that it gives customers the ability to have a portion of their costs donated to a worthy cause of their choosing. The structure of Energy Locals plans is also slightly unusual, as you’re required to pay a monthly fee in addition to your regular rate, in order to gain access to ‘wholesale rates’. Whichever plan you choose, Energy Locals says all the power you use is 100% carbon offset. The retailer is Australian-owned, set up by the former retail boss of EnergyAustralia who apparently had enough of life working for a big power company.
Future X Power services households in south east Queensland, NSW, SA and Tasmania. This provider’s plan works as you might expect, whereby you’ll choose between monthly and quarterly billing and pay for your usage and supply when your bill rolls in. Future X Power promises a ‘transparent and empowering energy retail experience’ through its sign-up and customer service.
Another retailer to enter the QLD market is Glow Power, a Victorian based company which claims to bring transparent and honest pricing to customers. With a sole market offer available, it’s the pay on time discount that sets it apart from the rest, offering big savings off electricity usage charges.
Online retailer Kogan.com has launched its energy brand, Kogan Energy. With just one plan available in Queensland, the Market Offer, it usually brings great value without the need for conditional discounts. Provided to you by established energy retailer Powershop, on this plan you’ll receive customer service from Powershop’s team rather than Kogan itself. As is the trend these days, Kogan’s Queensland offer comes with no lock-in contract or exit fees.
LPE (Locality Planning Electricity) was originally a power retailer for strata and embedded energy networks (i.e. apartment blocks and other housing complexes), but has recently made moves in offering electricity to residential properties in south-east Queensland. Currently, LPE has a single market plan called its ‘Principal Offer’, by which the company boldly claims the “best rates upfront with no confusing discounts”. The plan has no contract terms or exit fees and comes with the option of monthly billing.
Smart meter owners in south-east QLD and NSW have the option of signing up to Mojo Power. With a seemingly generous feed-in tariff on its market plan, the retailer claims to encourage less reliance on the grid. Mojo Connect is the power provider’s straight-shooting market plan, offering no discounts or contract term. Although it’s not a prerequisite, customers will get the most out of Mojo Power if they are connected to a smart meter as the company prides itself on electricity monitoring and transparent pricing.
New retailer to the QLD market is OVO Energy, one of the UK’s leading power companies. With OVO, customers can expect carbon neutral electricity supply, with the added benefit of 10% GreenPower by default. This provider’s single market offer relies on bill smoothing, rewarding customers with modest interest when their credit is in balance.
Powerclub has just emerged in Queensland, giving customers access to wholesale electricity rates that are published every 30 minutes. You’re expected to pay an annual fee and deposit money into your personal ‘Powerbank’, which kicks in when wholesale rates spike, and replenishes when they are low. This retailer is also offering energy in NSW, SA and the ACT.
Supported by big three energy provider AGL, Powerdirect has electricity plans across QLD, NSW, VIC and SA. While Powerdirect has a strong focus on business energy retail, it’s still offering residential customers in the aforementioned states competitive plans. Its market offer in QLD offers a generous guaranteed discount off usage and supply charges, with the benefit period lasting 24 months.
Ranked Australia’s greenest energy company by Greenpeace, Powershop takes its commitment to sustainable energy seriously, even promising its customers their electricity usage will be offset by the purchase of renewable energy certificates, making the retailer 100% carbon neutral and therefore appealing to those who take sustainability seriously. Powershop is a unique electricity provider in that its plans work on a pre-pay basis. Customers can purchase power packs months ahead of time at (sometimes) discounted rates. The retailer is also known to offer special promotional packs designed to help proactive customers save even more. If pre-paying doesn’t work for you, Powershop also offers a standard plan with reasonable prices.
QEnergy has historically focused more on business energy, but in recent years it has expanded to residential offerings in QLD, NSW, VIC and SA. The retailer has two offerings in south-east Queensland, both 0% discount plans, with the only difference being that one of them requires customers to set up direct debit payments. Whilst QEnergy claims to be simplifying the energy industry, it does have a habit of changing its prices more often than other providers.
New to the market, ReAmped Energy is promising a completely digital sign-up and customer experience in QLD and NSW. It has two market offers in QLD, both of which have no discounts, but instead offer quite competitive base rates. Along with a spattering of other new providers, ReAmped aims to ‘simplify’ the energy industry by being completely transparent and offering one of the cheapest plans in the south-east Queensland market.
Customers who want to sign up to Simply Energy in QLD can choose from a diverse range of power plans based on personal preferences. Most plans have discounts, and of those plans, the biggest discount goes to RACQ members who sign up to its dedicated plan. The provider also offers plans in NSW, VIC, SA and ACT.
Making headlines as the first residential energy provider to challenge Aurora Energy’s monopoly of the Tasmanian energy market, 1st Energy is a retailer offering plans not only in Tassie, but in QLD, NSW and VIC, too. Queensland customers can expect to see generally high pay on time discounts for a benefit period of two years. Perhaps worth mentioning is that 1st Energy claims to give its customers rates that “actually reflect the real cost of doing business”.
In the table below, we compare prices on the Energex network. This is everywhere from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast, including Brisbane and Ipswich. We show one product per retailer, listed from the lowest priced estimate first. See here for information on the Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year, meaning the Reference Price is $1,508/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
| Electricity Provider | Electricity Plan | Difference from Reference Price^ | Conditional Discounts | Price Estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReAmped Energy | ReAmped Advance | 28% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,089 |
| Elysian Energy | Super Simple Plan | 27% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,100 |
| Mojo Power | All Day Breakfast | 26% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,112 |
| GloBird Energy | GloSave | 19% Less Than Reference Price | 25% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time by Direct Debit | $1,124incl. conditional discount |
| Nectr | Friends Clean | 17% Less Than Reference Price | $100 credit for new customers | $1,149incl. conditional discount |
| Sumo | Sumo Assure Advantage | 20% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,201 |
| Kogan Energy | Market Offer | 20% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,205 |
| Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | 20% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,208 |
| OVO Energy | The One Plan | 18% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,235 |
| Energy Locals | Online Member | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,244 |
| Future X Power | Smart Flat | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,249 |
| AGL | Essentials | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,251 |
| CovaU | Freedom Plus | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,252 |
| Origin Energy | Go | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,252 |
| Simply Energy | Simply RACQ | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,252 |
| EnergyAustralia | No Frills | 17% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,255 |
| Powerdirect | Rate Saver | 16% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,267 |
| Click Energy | Flora | 15% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,282 |
| Locality Planning Energy | Mates Rate | 15% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,283 |
| Powershop | Shopper Market Offer | 9% Less Than Reference Price | 15% Less Than Reference Price for Pre-Payment | $1,285incl. conditional discount |
| Discover Energy | Smart Saver | 14% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,291 |
| Alinta Energy | Home Deal | 14% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,297 |
| Glow Power | Everyday Saver | Equal to Reference Price | 14% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time | $1,298 |
| 1st Energy | 1st Saver Plus | 3% Less Than Reference Price | 13% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time | $1,319incl. conditional discount |
| Diamond Energy | Everyday Renewable Saver | 2% More Than Reference Price | 8% Less Than Reference Price for Paying on Time by Direct Debit | $1,388incl. conditional discount |
| Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | 7% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,410 |
| Dodo | Market Offer | 4% Less Than Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,453 |
| Amber Electric | Amber Plan | Equal to Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,508 |
| QEnergy | Home Your Way | Equal To Reference Price | No conditional discounts | $1,508 |
| Basic Plan Information Documents | ||||
*Price assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year. Estimated price includes any conditions discounts that may be available. Pricing based on Energex network in Brisbane, but prices differ between distribution areas. October 2020.
Here is a table showing the general usage rates and daily supply charges of the Queensland electricity providers on our database. We list the rates of the cheapest published deal from each retailer. Rates are for single rate tariffs only. Use our comparison tool for specific rates in your area.
| Electricity Provider | Electricity Plan | General Usage Rate | Daily Supply Charge | Important |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGL | Essentials | 19.94¢/kWh | 91.48¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Alinta Energy | Home Deal | 19.56¢/kWh | 108.90¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Amber Electric | Amber Plan | 24.23¢/kWh | 124.80¢/kWh | Basic Plan Information |
| Click Energy | Flora | 19.92¢/kWh | 100.14¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| CovaU | Freedom Plus | 23.38¢/kWh | 108.90¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Diamond Energy | Everyday Renewable Saver | 24.59¢/kWh | 107.25¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Discover Energy | Smart Saver | 26.28¢/kWh | 82.01¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Dodo | Market Offer | 22.89¢/kWh | 109.51¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Elysian Energy | Super Simple Plan | 16.50¢/kWh | 93.50¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| EnergyAustralia | No Frills | 22.00¢/kWh | 80.30¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Energy Locals | Online Member | 19.00¢/kWh | 73.00¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Future X Power | Smart Flat | 19.35¢/kWh | 98.30¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| GloBird Energy | GloSave | 17.82¢/kWh | 110.00¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Glow Power | Everyday Saver | 23.75¢/kWh | 113.30¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Kogan Energy | Market Offer | 16.97¢/kWh | 116.23¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| LPE | Mates Rate | 18.96¢/kWh | 112.50¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Mojo Power | All Day Breakfast | 16.32¢/kWh | 99.11¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Nectr | Friends Clean | 19.47¢/kWh | 96.69¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Origin Energy | Go | 19.87¢/kWh | 92.54¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| OVO Energy | The One Plan | 19.25¢/kWh | 95.70¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | 17.77¢/kWh | 96.19¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Powerdirect | Rate Saver | 20.19¢/kWh | 92.58¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Powershop | Shopper Market Offer | 20.83¢/kWh | 112.06¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| QEnergy | Home Your Way | 23.77¢/kWh | 113.51¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| ReAmped Energy | ReAmped Advance | 16.49¢/kWh | 90.55¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | 22.44¢/kWh | 103.40¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Simply Energy | Simply RACQ | 24.75¢/kWh | 101.22¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| Sumo | Sumo Assure Advantage | 18.70¢/kWh | 93.50¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
| 1st Energy | 1st Saver | 22.64¢/kWh | 125.40¢/day | Basic Plan Information |
Rates from Energex network in Brisbane. Rates last updated October 2020. Use our comparison tool for specific details in your area.
If you live in Brisbane, your electricity is supplied through the Energex network. With just one network covering the whole city, this means electricity rates are consistent across all areas of Brisbane. So, if you’re an Origin customer on the north side, you’ll pay the same basic rates as another Origin customer on the south side, for example. However, rates will naturally vary between retailers. Here are the main suburbs covered by Energex in Brisbane:
The Energex electricity network covers the QLD Sunshine Coast, which includes the below suburbs:
The Gold Coast is also on the Energex electricity network. Here are the main suburbs on the Gold Coast covered by this network:
Ipswich residents also receive their electricity through the Energex network. These are the main suburbs in Ipswich:
Outside of south-east Queensland, the rest of the Sunshine State – including the far north – is covered by the Ergon electricity network. Ergon Energy is the only electricity retailer on this network, meaning households in place like Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns are not able to choose their retailer.
Like other suburbs in regional Queensland, Bundaberg is supplied electricity by the Ergon network. Here are the main suburbs in Bundaberg:
The Ergon network also covers Rockhampton, including these suburbs:
Living in Townsville, you’ll be covered by the Ergon electricity network. Townsville suburbs that fall under this network include:
Sunny Cairns is also supplied by the Ergon electricity network, which covers the following suburbs:
Toowoomba falls on the Ergon Energy distribution network, covering the suburbs below:
Ergon Energy is the electricity network for Gladstone. Here are the main suburbs in Gladstone:
Located on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef is the small city of Mackay, which is serviced by the Ergon Energy network. The main suburbs in Mackay are:
Maryborough and its surrounds are on the Ergon Energy electricity network. Some of the neighbouring towns and suburbs include:
Canstar Blue surveyed 12,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who live in Queensland, have an electricity account, and pay the bills – in this case, 1,409 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2010
Compare QLD Electricity Providers - October 2nd
From Coolangatta to Cairns and Toowoomba to Mt Isa, Queensland is a hotbed for sunshine, which explains why solar installations are through the roof right now. While there’s little debate over the benefits of solar …
– Read more
Compare Electricity & Gas Providers - October 1st
Think you’re paying too much for electricity in Queensland? You’re probably right. Compare plans and prices from different providers.
– Read more
Compare QLD Electricity Providers - October 1st
What is the price of solar in Queensland and should you buy? Canstar Blue looks at what Queenslanders need to know about solar.
– Read more
Compare Energy - October 1st
Canstar Blue reviews energy offers from retailers including AGL, EnergyAustralia, Simply Energy, Powershop, Click Energy & Red Energy.
– Read more
Compare Electricity & Gas Providers - October 1st
A guide to finding the best deal on solar. Canstar Blue compares feed-in tariffs from Australia’s leading energy retailers.
– Read more
[bs_popover title="Fact Checked" heading="" trigger="onclick hover" class="fact-checked"]Our journalists and editors are committed to bringing you accurate, clear and detailed information, and ensuring this page gives you the full picture at the time of publication or update. Read more about Canstar Blue’s Fact Checking Process.[/bs_popover]
[bs_lead]With some solar bonus schemes and installation rebates drawing to a close in recent years, many Aussies have begun to consider whether solar is still a good investment. The short answer is yes – solar is still a great way for Australian households to save on electricity – but only if you know how to find a good deal.[/bs_lead]
Most electricity retailers these days offer competitive feed-in tariffs as part of their standard product range. Some even have products specifically designed for customers with solar panels. Solar products are slightly different to standard electricity deals. While you are still charged for electricity usage and supply, you will also receive something called a feed-in tariff. In this article, Canstar Blue explains and compares feed-in tariffs across leading Australian retailers. We also look at what else customers should consider to find the best solar deal.
A feed in tariff (FiT) is a small credit rebate that households receive for any excess electricity produced by a solar system or other small-scale generator. Simply put, unless you have a solar battery, any solar power produced by solar panels must be immediately used or it will feed into the shared electricity grid for other properties to use. For each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity that a household’s solar system exports to the electricity grid, that property will receive a feed-in tariff of a few cents, usually between 7 and 16 cents per kWh. Feed-in tariffs are not paid out cash in hand, rather they apply as a deduction on your regular bill. A high feed-in tariff can help drastically reduce what you pay for electricity, that’s why it’s so important to shop around for solar deals.
See solar plans in your state by tapping the correct tab below.
[tabbed_table id="518951"]
Feed-in tariffs vary markedly across states and retailers. Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the largest feed-in tariffs offered by retailers in QLD, VIC, NSW, SA, ACT, Tasmania and WA at the time of publication.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 8c | 15c |
| Alinta Energy | 11c | 11c |
| Amaysim Energy | 8c | 10c |
| Amber Electric | 8c | 8c |
| Click Energy | 8c | 12c |
| CovaU Energy | 0c | 11c |
| Diamond Energy | 12c | 12c |
| Discover Energy | 6c | 11.5c |
| Dodo | 8.5c | 8.5c |
| Elysian Energy | 7.86c | 7.86c |
| EnergyAustralia | 11.5c | 11.5c |
| Energy Locals | 8.5c | 8.5c |
| Ergon Energy | 7.842c | 7.842c |
| Future X Power | 4c | 4c |
| GloBird Energy | 3c | 3c |
| Kogan Energy | 3.84c | 3.84c |
| LPE | 0c | 5.5c |
| Mojo Power | 5.47c | 10c |
| Origin Energy | 6c | 18c |
| OVO Energy | 0c | 8c |
| Powerclub | 0c | 7.86c |
| Powerdirect | 8c | 8c |
| Powershop | 6c | 6c |
| QEnergy | 8c | 8c |
| ReAmped Energy | 5c | 17c |
| Red Energy | 6c | 15c |
| Simply Energy | 10c | 10c |
| Sumo Power | 6c | 6c |
| 1st Energy | 6c | 6c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
Aside from Ergon Energy, all Queensland retailers have free reign to set their own feed-in tariffs. Those with solar specific deals tend to offer higher rates.
[mobile_top_mrec]
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 10.2c | 12c |
| Alinta Energy | 12c | 12c |
| Amaysim Energy | 12c | 13c |
| Amber Electric | 12c | 12c |
| Click Energy | 12c | 13c |
| Commander | 12c | 12c |
| CovaU | 0c | 12c |
| DC Power Co | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Diamond Energy | 12c | 12c |
| Dodo | 12c | 12c |
| Elysian Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Energy Locals | 12c | 12c |
| EnergyAustralia | 12c | 12c |
| GloBird Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Kogan Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Lumo Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Momentum Energy | 10.2c | 13.5c |
| Origin Energy | 10.2c | 16c |
| People Energy | 12c | 12c |
| Powerdirect | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Powerclub | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Powershop | 0c | 10.2c |
| QEnergy | 12c | 12c |
| Red Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Simply Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Sumo Power | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| Tango Energy | 10.2c | 10.2c |
| 1st Energy | 10.2c | 12c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
Victoria is the only state to impose a legal minimum feed-in tariff on a competitive energy market. As of January 2020, the minimum FiT is 10.2c. As you can see, some retailers simply offer the bare minimum, but there are some solar specific products with much higher rates. The introduction of the minimum flat-rate FiT was accompanied by the introduction of time-varying FiTs. Under new laws, all retailers must offer either a single rate FiT, time-varying FiT, or both.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 9.5c | 17c |
| Alinta Energy | 7.5c | 7.5c |
| Amaysim Energy | 10c | 16c |
| Amber Electric | 8c | 8c |
| Bright Spark Power | 9c | 9c |
| Click Energy | 10c | 16c |
| Commander | 11.6c | 11.6c |
| CovaU | 0c | 8.5c |
| DC Power Co | 7c | 7c |
| Diamond Energy | 12c | 12c |
| Discover Energy | 6c | 11.5c |
| Dodo | 11.6c | 11.6c |
| Elysian Energy | 8.4c | 8.4c |
| EnergyAustralia | 10.5c | 10.5c |
| Energy Locals | 10c | 10c |
| Enova Energy | 0c | 12c |
| Future X Power | 4c | 4c |
| Globird Energy | 3c | 3c |
| Kogan Energy | 5.53c | 5.53c |
| LPE | 0c | 8.5c |
| Mojo Power | 7.5c | 10c |
| Momentum Energy | 7c | 7c |
| Nectr | 0c | 0c |
| Origin Energy | 7c | 22c |
| OVO Energy | 0c | 8c |
| Pooled Energy | 8c | 8c |
| Powerclub | 0c | 7c |
| Powerdirect | 9.5c | 9.5c |
| Powershop | 0c | 7c |
| QEnergy | 8c | 8c |
| ReAmped Energy | 0c | 21c |
| Red Energy | 9.5c | 9.5c |
| Simply Energy | 8c | 8c |
| Sumo Power | 8c | 8c |
| Tango Energy | 5.5c | 5.5c |
| 1st Energy | 6c | 6c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
The NSW regulator recommends a feed-in tariff of at least 6.9c/kWh, however as you can see, most retailers exceed this suggestion. Most of the better-known retailers in the state do not have any specialised solar products, while the few companies that do often have much higher feed-in rates than their competitors.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 12.4c | 16c |
| Alinta Energy | 9.5c | 9.5c |
| Amber Electric | 8c | 8c |
| Click Energy | 10c | 17c |
| Commander | 11.6c | 11.6c |
| Discover Energy | 6c | 6c |
| Diamond Energy | 0c | 12c |
| Dodo | 11.6c | 11.6c |
| Elysian Energy | 9.6c | 9.6c |
| EnergyAustralia | 0c | 11.5c |
| Energy Locals | 8.5c | 10c |
| Future X Power | 4c | 4c |
| GloBird Energy | 3c | 3c |
| Kogan Energy | 4.1c | 4.1c |
| Lumo Energy | 11.5c | 12c |
| Mojo Power | 10c | 10c |
| Momentum Energy | 6.8c | 6.8c |
| Origin Energy | 8c | 21c |
| OVO Energy | 0c | 8c |
| Powerclub | 0c | 11.5c |
| Powerdirect | 12.4c | 12.4c |
| Powershop | 0c | 10.2c |
| QEnergy | 8c | 8c |
| ReAmped Energy | 0c | 19c |
| Red Energy | 11.5c | 11.5c |
| Simply Energy | 15c | 15c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
South Australia has had quite a surge in feed-in tariff rates recently. Most retailers now offer FiTs upward of 15c/kWh, although it seems some didn’t get the memo.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| ActewAGL | 8c | 8c |
| EnergyAustralia | 10.5c | 10.5c |
| Energy Locals | 10c | 16c |
| Origin Energy | 7c | 7c |
| Powerclub | 0c | 7c |
| Red Energy | 0c | 9.4c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Energy | 8.47c | 8.47c |
| 1st Energy | 8.47c | 8.47c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
The newly-competitive Tasmanian energy market now gives households a second retailer to consider in the form of 1st Energy, and it's come to the table with a compelling offer for solar customers.
| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Synergy | 7.1c | 7.1c |
| Horizon Power | 7.1c | 7.1c |
Source: Canstar Blue electricity database/respective retailer websites, October 2020.
If you live in Western Australia you unfortunately have no choice of electricity retailer, with Synergy and Horizon Power covering metro and regional areas respectively.
You may have heard about feed-in tariffs as high as 60c/kWh. Sounds nice right? Unfortunately, these premium solar feed-in tariffs are only available to homeowners who installed and registered their solar systems many years ago – generally before 2011, depending on the state. This means you are not eligible for a premium tariff if you’ve only installed solar in the past few years, or plan to do so shortly. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of any new solar bonus schemes in the near future.
Queenslanders and South Australians who signed up to a solar bonus scheme before they closed will continue to receive a premium tariff until 2028. Victorian bonus scheme customers will also receive their premium FiT until 2024. Unfortunately for New South Wales solar bonus customers, the scheme came to its scheduled conclusion at the end of 2016 and all customers were reverted to a standard rate.
Some retailers, most notably Click Energy, have multiple offers for customers with solar panels. Its range of products might include a deal with a high feed-in tariff and low discount, a deal with a low feed-in tariff and high discount, and sometimes, an offer somewhere in between.
So which should you choose, the better FiT or larger discount? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t clear and it will depend on your personal circumstance. Consider the following points.
Consider choosing the higher FiT if…
Consider choosing the higher discount if…
Solar monitoring technology can give you insights into your electricity usage habits and help you make a better informed decision about which plan is best suited for your home.
A large feed-in tariff is definitely nice, but you shouldn’t just assume a bigger feed-in tariff means it’s a better deal. You should always look at the energy price fact sheets when comparing electricity products. Keep an eye out for ‘solar metering charges’. These are daily supply charges that certain retailers apply to solar customers. It’s also not uncommon to find solar products with large feed-in tariffs charging higher electricity usage or supply rates, so you need to consider if the trade-off is worth it.
If you have a large solar system, say 5kW or over, then you will most likely be better off on a deal that provides a high feed-in tariff, even if it means slightly higher electricity usage rates. A bigger feed-in tariff may also be attractive for households that are hardly home during the working day to use their solar power and consequently have most of it exported to the energy grid. Conversely, customers with small solar systems or a storage battery probably won’t export much solar to the grid and should focus on cheap electricity rates over feed in tariffs. The same applies if you’re home during the day and tend to use up all your solar power.
Now, while rates are important, so is customer service. If you truly want to make the most from your investment in solar, you need an energy retailer that will help you at every step of the process. To see which solar energy companies are meeting customer expectations, check out Canstar Blue’s solar provider customer satisfaction ratings via the link below.
[bs_button size="lg" type="primary" value="Compare Solar Providers" href="https://www.canstarblue.com.au/solar-power/"]