EnergyAustralia has re-emerged victorious in this year’s customer satisfaction ratings for electricity providers in South Australia. After a short hiatus from the top of the table, EnergyAustralia has achieved five-star reviews for overall satisfaction this year, as well as for its customer service, bill and cost clarity, ease of sign-up and online tools and advice.
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 600 bill-paying customers in South Australia. Keep in mind though that, while our ratings include five of the most prominent electricity retailers in SA, you may find others operating in your area.
Canstar Blue surveyed 681 South Australian households for their feedback on their energy retailer. Respondents had to live in South Australia, have an electricity account and pay the bills for their response to be eligible.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their electricity supplier from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Provider satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Best SA Electricity Providers:
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, EnergyAustralia has totally flipped the script, reaching the top of the leaderboard in scoring five stars for overall satisfaction and almost all other research categories. Origin Energy and Simply Energy scored four stars overall this year, while AGL and Alinta Energy landed on three stars.
Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.
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 4011kWh/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 4011kWh/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 4011kWh/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 4011kWh/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.
EnergyAustralia has re-emerged as the top electricity provider in SA this year, scoring an almost clean sweep of five-star ratings across the board. The exception to this was its value for money, where it received four stars.
As you might expect from one of the big retailers, EnergyAustralia has a major presence in South Australia. It offers customers a few different variable rate plan options, all of which are available over a 12-month benefit period. EnergyAustralia customers can opt-in to carbon offset options (you’ll need to check the EA website for details) and 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 this, the retailer has also since introduced a new plan, designed for customers who have solar panels on their roof.
Last year’s winner, Origin Energy achieved a four-star rating for overall satisfaction, value for money, customer service, bill and cost clarity and ease of sign-up this year. It did, however, receive a notable five stars for its online tools and advice.
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 variable rate products and all plans come with no exit fees or lock-in contracts. One plan even has Everyday Rewards points up for grabs. As one of Australia’s leading solar power retailers, Origin also has specific plans for customers who own solar panels.
A previous consecutive winner in our SA electricity provider ratings, Simply Energy has had to settle for third place this year, with four stars for overall satisfaction. This retailer had a mixed bag of results, scoring four stars for customer service, bill and cost clarity and ease of sign-up. It was the only retailer to score five stars for value for money, but got just three stars for its online tools and advice.
Simply Energy is typically a very price-competitive electricity provider in SA. 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.
AGL was rated three stars for overall satisfaction this year, as well as value for money. It did, however, notch up to a four-star rating for its customer service, bill and cost clarity, ease of sign-up and online tools and advice.
One of Australia’s biggest energy companies, AGL generally offers two to three market contracts to households in South Australia at any one time, with varying benefits and conditions based on different preferences. These plans have variable rates, no exit fees or lock-in contracts. Customers signing up to the Value Saver plan 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.
In this year’s review, Alinta Energy ended up with a clean sweep of three-star ratings across all research categories, including overall satisfaction and value for money.
Alinta Energy is a major electricity and natural gas supplier across most southern states in Australia. A fan favourite among south-east Queenslanders, the retailer keeps things relatively simple with just one or two market offers in each of the states it serves. Alinta Energy is owned by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises but is headquartered in Sydney, with another major office located in Perth. The retailer is also a big contender in the natural gas market in Western Australia.
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 it.
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.
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, GloBird Energy and OVO Energy are typically some of the cheapest electricity providers in SA. With about 20 power companies to choose from, finding the lowest prices and best value 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 about 48 hours to send you a final bill estimate and pass 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.
Kelseigh Wrigley covers Australia’s retail energy market, growing her industry specific expertise over the last two years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and has contributed her skills to online publications Hunter & Bligh and local radio station 4ZZZ.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and two years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research TeamSouth 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 politicisation
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.
The list below features all the electricity providers that currently list plans in South Australia.
These retailers all operate on the SA Power network, meaning prices are consistent across the network and the state. Please note, there may be other providers in your area.
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.
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, however, AGL has since begun the process of closing its gas turbine assets down, with a full closure expected by 2026.
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 almost 9% 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 Australians pay for electricity remains debated, especially considering the high prices.
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 who were on ‘standing offers’ prior to this date were automatically switched over to the Default Market Offer (DMO).
Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s Electricity Providers – SA Customer Satisfaction Award:
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