Canstar Blue’s review of South Australian electricity providers compares EnergyAustralia, Origin, Lumo Energy, Simply Energy and AGL on their customer service, bill & cost clarity, online tools & advice, ease of sign-up, environmental sustainability, value for money and overall satisfaction.
Origin has emerged victorious in this year’s customer satisfaction ratings for electricity providers in South Australia. This is Origin’s first win in the state since 2013, achieving five-star reviews for overall satisfaction, bill & cost clarity and ease of sign up. Origin leads the way from Simply Energy, AGL, EnergyAustralia and Lumo Energy.
Everyone knows South Australians pay a ridiculously high price for power, so if you pick up the bills, it’s all about making the best of a bad situation. That could mean negotiating an improved deal with your existing provider or finding a new one. If you’re sick of paying the highest electricity rates in the country, Canstar Blue’s annual review and ratings can help. In this report, we list the best SA electricity providers based on customer satisfaction, while offering a detailed buying guide for the state, and revealing which companies currently have the cheapest prices on our database.
Given the cost of power in South Australia, you’ll naturally want to find a cheap deal – and we can help you with that. However, we can also show you which SA electricity companies are rated highest based on the experiences of their customers. Paying a low price is good, but not if it comes at the expense of other factors, such as customer service. That’s why our ratings are designed to give you as much information as possible before you pick your next retailer. This year, our review is based on the feedback of more than 800 bill-paying customers in South Australia. Read on for all the 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 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 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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8% Less than reference price |
$1,579 Price/year (estimated) |
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21% Less than reference price |
$1,361 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 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 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 SA as rated by customers in Canstar Blue’s latest satisfaction survey:
Over recent years, our ratings have highlighted a clear divide in customer satisfaction between the biggest providers and some of the smaller challengers, with Lumo Energy and Simply Energy dominating this category since we began comparing SA power companies in 2010. This year, however, Origin Energy has totally flipped the script, reaching the top of the leader board in scoring five stars for overall satisfaction, bill & cost clarity and ease of sign-up. Simply Energy, Lumo Energy and AGL all scored four stars overall this year, while EnergyAustralia fell from grace, landing on three stars.
Read on as we explain everything you need to know about these five power providers, and how to get a better deal from them. But first, why not jump into our comparison tool below, or keep scrolling for a selection of the cheapest published deals on 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Energy giant Origin has moved away from large conditional discounts of lately, instead offering relatively low-rate plans and other sign-up perks. Origin offers a mixture of variable and fixed rate products. All plans come with no exit fees or lock-in contracts, with Everyday Rewards points even up for grabs on one of them. As one of Australia’s leading solar power retailers, Origin also has specific plans for customers who own solar panels. In addition, concession card holders in SA may be eligible for Origin’s SA Concessions Energy Discount Offer with notable savings off the Reference Price.
Simply Energy is typically a very price-competitive electricity provider in SA, while offering one of the most diverse product ranges around. The company is owned by French utilities giant Engie but remains based in Melbourne. Simply Energy is well-known for offering a wide range of products, including an exclusive deal for RAA members that brings larger unconditional discounts. Simply Energy’s plans all previously included varying pay on time discounts off usage charges, but the retailer now focuses more on low rates and guaranteed discounts. Rates are variable and plans come without any exit fees or lock-in contracts.
Lumo Energy is one of two providers owned by renewable power generation company Snowy Hydro – the other being Red Energy. Based in Melbourne, Lumo offers a diverse range of products in SA, including a plan targeted at customers who rent their home and often move. While Lumo Energy once relied on pay on time discounts, its latest suite of plans rely on competitive variable rates and other add-on incentives. All deals come on a no-contract basis, with no exit fees and access to the retailer’s Lumo Rewards shopping program, which gives members a range of exclusive discounts on anything from groceries to petrol.
One of Australia’s biggest energy companies, AGL generally offers two market contracts to households in South Australia at any one time, with varying benefits and conditions based on different preferences. The Value Saver and Flexible Saver plans have variable rates, no exit fees or lock-in contracts. Customers signing up to the Value Saver will get cheaper rates but they’ll need to agree to e-billing. AGL also has a dedicated solar product, plus offers customers discounts off dining, shopping trips and attractions through the AGL rewards program.
As you might expect from one of the big retailers, EnergyAustralia has a major presence in South Australia. It focuses on guaranteed discounts as its main selling point, with a few variable rate plans over 12 month benefit periods. All EnergyAustralia plans are said to be carbon neutral for those who opt in (you’ll need to check the EA website for details). The retailer helpfully publishes estimated monthly costs for all its plans online, so you’ll have an idea of what you’ll pay before signing up.
Aside from the market offers listed from retailers above, there are also standard contracts or ‘standing offers’ available. These are default plans that customers may be connected to if they have never changed providers or plans in years. Standing offers are usually more expensive than most market offers and tend to sit in line with the SA reference price.
It’s worth noting that energy prices change all the time in South Australia, so it’s hard to pinpoint the cheapest retailer at any one time. That said, Energy Locals and Powerclub are consistently some of the cheapest electricity providers in SA. With more than 25 power companies to choose from, finding the lowest prices and best deals in your area will require some research.
Aside from price, it’s still important to check out other credentials of energy companies, like customer service, sign-up incentives and rewards programs. Although price may have the biggest impact on making a decision, it’s good to know which brands are willing to work a little extra for your business.
Changing energy providers usually takes about two business days, after this time your account should be taken over by your new company. This means that your old provider will have around 48 hours to send you a final bill estimate and send your details on to your new provider.
Switching to a new electricity provider is usually straightforward and can be done online or over the phone in minutes. After you’ve switched, you’ll likely receive a final bill from your old retailer and be updated once your account has been taken over by your new provider.
South Australia is regarded as having some of the highest energy prices in the country due to the increased cost of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. These costs will impact power bills as they are passed on to customers from the energy retailers, however, the extent to which these costs are passed on is the subject of much debate and politicization.
The South Australian energy networks are also heavily reliant on renewable energy generation, and during periods of very high demand – such as hot summer days – supply has occasionally failed to meet demand, resulting in blackouts.
Comparing energy providers in Adelaide and other parts of SA can be done by using our free comparison tool. Simply type in your postcode and hit the compare button from which you’ll be able to see all the retailers available in your area currently on our database. You’ll also be able to filter your results by price, brand, value score and more.
The Canstar Blue energy comparison tool does not require your phone number and you can even input a previous bill’s details for a more specific comparison based on your home’s power usage. With more than 25 electricity providers operating in SA, comparing your options is a great way of finding a deal best suited to your personal circumstances.
This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Energy Editor, Jared Mullane. He’s an expert in all things utilities, including electricity, gas and water, helping to make complicated subjects easier to understand for consumers. A trained journalist, Jared is usually one of the first to break energy-related news, whether it’s the latest changes in the industry, price movements, or the next best deal you need to know about.
If you haven’t worked it out yet, finding the best provider and plan for your requirements can be extremely tricky. The fact is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to energy costs in South Australia. Instead, you will need to work out which offer best meets your needs based on primarily:
You should also keep in mind that the ‘cheapest’ electricity provider doesn’t necessarily mean the ‘best’. Our ratings are based on customer satisfaction, rather than just the cheapest rates. Our cost comparison report for SA electricity providers, however, is a useful guide to which retailers offer the cheapest deals. Ultimately, you will want an electricity provider that has competitive rates, but also delivers reliable bills and good customer service when you need to.
Realistically, if you haven’t switched electricity providers for two years or more, you are almost certainly paying more for power than you need to. This is because the cheapest offers are often made possible by rates that can and do change after a benefit period expires. Furthermore, the best deals are generally reserved for new customers. Even if you’re satisfied with your existing provider, it’s worth reviewing your options from time to time and challenging them to match the discount they offer new customers. The power is typically with new customers, or those who threaten to leave. So, if you’re ready to save some money on your bills, it’s time to get proactive.
Here is a full list of energy providers in South Australia:
These retailers all operate on the SA Power network, meaning prices are consistent across the network and the state.
Given the ridiculously high prices that South Australians often pay for electricity, you would be forgiven for thinking there wasn’t much competition between providers in the market. The price of any product or service generally gets higher when there is no competition. However, this is not the case in South Australia as there are many different electricity providers fighting hard for new customers. The problem is the cost of electricity generation, transmission and distribution, which these energy companies need to pass onto their customers. However, the extent to which these costs are passed on to households is the subject of much debate. South Australia is also heavily reliant on renewable energy generation, and during periods of very high demand – such as hot summer days – supply has occasionally failed to meet demand, resulting in blackouts.
South Australia is home to more than 20 solar operating and wind farms, with a mix of private and public ownership. And while there are no more coal-fired power stations in the state, much of the electricity generated still comes from gas turbine power stations. AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia all own gas turbine power assets in South Australia.
After years of increased competition in South Australia, recent figures from the AER show that many smaller retailers are chipping away at the market share of the bigger players, like AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin. Despite this, AGL still has the largest customer share in SA, with Origin, Simply Energy and EnergyAustralia also accounting for large chunks of the market. It shows that since the market was deregulated back in 2012, which resulted in many new providers entering the local market, many South Australians are now starting to switch providers. This is evident by Tier 2 retailer, Simply Energy, overtaking EnergyAustralia to capture about 11 per cent of the SA market, albeit still a far cry from the market share of AGL and Origin. How this small shift in market share affects how much South Australian’s pay for electricity remains debated, especially considering the high prices South Australians pay.
The energy market went through a significant change in July 2019 when tough new industry regulations took effect, designed to cut power prices, but also make comparing plans easier. After years of big, often dodgy discounts, retailers must now compare their plans to a ‘level playing field’ tariff called the Reference Price. The idea is that, unlike before, there is now a consistent price from which all plans must now be compared, meaning you can now get a better feeling for which providers really offer the best value. The Reference Price also acts as a price cap for those customers who were previously paying the highest prices. Households on ‘standing offers’ have been automatically switched over to the Default Market Offer (DMO) and many will have saved heaps as a result.
There are two types of electricity contracts that a household in South Australia could be on – the Default Market Offer (DMO) or a market contract. Knowing which type you have is the first step to saving money.
Canstar Blue’s electricity database shows that households in SA stand to save hundreds of dollars a year by switching from a default contract to a market contract, even with the same provider, provided they stick to the conditions of their plan. Bigger savings could even be possible by switching providers. According to the AER’s latest report, one in ten households in SA remain on a default contract.
Once you’re settled on the type of electricity contract you want, the next thing you need to understand is the charges that you’ll face. Electricity rates in SA can vary considerably between providers, so it literally pays to get to know these charges, and what cheap energy rates look like. The two charges that make up your electricity bills are fixed supply charges and usage charges.
It’s important to get to know these two charges, which can be found in the energy product information documents of your plan. Working out what represents ‘cheap’ rates can help you pick the plan that’s best for you. Keep in mind that households with low usage can expect supply charges to account for a higher proportion of overall costs, while high usage households can expect usage rates to account for a higher proportion.
Tariffs are often the subject of confusion for energy customers, but once you get to grips with what they are and how they work, you should realise that they can actually guide you towards cheaper bills. Across Australia, there are two main types of electricity tariffs – known as ‘single rate’ and ‘time of use’. Their difference is reflected by their names:
In South Australia, the majority of households have single rate tariffs, so the prices you pay for electricity will not depend on the time of day you use it. If you’ve been in the habit of using your washing machine, dishwasher or other major appliances late at night because you thought it would save you a few bucks, you are probably mistaken.
While some states have different single rate tariff options, in SA there is just one standard electricity tariff for all residential customers, but the way retailers use it can differ. This is called ‘Tariff 110’, but you may also see it called ‘peak’, ‘domestic’ or ‘anytime’ on your bills. Tariff 110 comes with ‘block rates’, meaning that the price you pay for electricity will depend on how much you actually use, rather than when you use it. This basically means your energy usage is split into daily blocks, with the first ‘block’ of power (typically 11 kWh) usually charged at the lowest rate (say, 40c per kWh). The following block could then be charged at, say, 43c/kWh, with the final block costing you 47c/kWh.
Where retailers differ is that some split usage up into just two daily blocks (the second resulting in higher prices), while others split their usage charges into multiple daily blocks, with rates getting gradually higher. You will find plans with as many as five different block usage rates during the day. There are pros and cons to this way of charging. And this means it’s important to understand your household energy consumption, to find the best plan for your needs. If you’re a large household with high energy usage, pay close attention to the price of power in the latter blocks. If you’re a small household with modest usage, you’ll likely be better off finding a plan with the cheapest first block of power, for example.
While the majority of electricity plans in South Australia come with single rate tariffs and block rates, you may still find some offering time of use tariffs. However, to access any time of use tariffs, you will need to have a smart meter installed at your property. Momentum Energy seems to be the most prominent in SA when it comes to time of use tariffs. You will also find block rates applied to time of use pricing, meaning that you could be charged different rates depending on when you use power and how much you use!
In addition to your primary tariff (single rate or time of use), you may also have a controlled load tariff. A controlled load is a separate metred circuit to the rest of your property, which means that you can be charged a different, lower rate for major appliances, usually your electric hot water system or pool pump. A controlled load tariff (also known as Tariff 116 in SA) should be much cheaper than your primary tariff, often costing less than 20c per kWh. The catch is that power is only supplied for a few hours each day.
Also, be sure to check your retailer’s energy price fact sheet for ‘demand charges’. This new type of tariff is designed to ‘better reflect customer needs and the impact this may have on the network’. Essentially, customers are charged a low flat rate for electricity usage, plus the standard supply charge. In addition, they will need to pay a ‘demand charge’. This is a daily charge that reflects peak electricity usage within a 30-minute period during peak hours (typically 4pm – 9pm).
Some providers adjust their pricing between summer and winter, meaning you could be charged higher rates in summer – when there is greater demand for energy – and lower rates in winter. AGL is the most prominent retailer for seasonal pricing.
With more than 25 different electricity providers now operating in South Australia, you won’t be surprised to discover that there are plenty of options to consider. In their most basic form, energy plans fall into two categories – those with variables rates and those with fixed rates.
While some energy retailers play it straight with their electricity plans, it’s common to see various promotional offers or plans targeting a specific consumer segment to get new customers to sign up. Simply Energy, for example, has a specific product for RAA members in SA, bringing an additional discount. Lumo Energy, meanwhile, has a rewards program whereby customers can get money off at various retail outlets and theme parks. While tempting, it’s important to compare electricity providers in SA on their supply and usage charges before taking any discounts and incentives into account.
Most electricity plans in South Australia come with a feed-in tariff for solar customers. However, feed-in tariffs in South Australia can vary hugely between providers. Despite enjoying one of the highest penetration rates of solar PV in the country, there are few solar-specific plans available in SA. Nevertheless, the retailers are competing to offer the most attractive feed-in tariffs, with rates of up to 20c/kWh currently available to new and eligible customers.
While some electricity providers offer specific incentives to get you to sign up, most simply rely on attention-grabbing discounts to stand out from the crowd. It’s not unusual to find electricity plans boasting conditional discounts of more than 15% less than the Reference Price, but it’s important not to automatically assume that the biggest discounts will mean the biggest savings. There are a few things you will need to know to get a good deal, including:
Whatever type of discount you decide is best for you, make sure you can meet the conditions. Failure to meet the conditions will result in much higher prices, and you may also be charged a fee.
If you live in Adelaide, you’re supplied energy through the SA Power network. The suburbs listed below fall within this electricity distribution network:
Those living outside of Adelaide are also provided with electricity by the SA Power network. Here are the broad areas and largest suburbs on this distribution network outside Adelaide:
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 South Australia, have an electricity account, and pay the bills – in this case, 810 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.
Winner: EnergyAustralia
Winner: Alinta Energy
Winner: Lumo Energy
Winner: Simply Energy
Winner: Simply Energy
Winner: Lumo Energy
Winner: Simply Energy
Winner: Origin Energy
Winner: EnergyAustralia
Winner: TRUenergy
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