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Origin Maximiser Plan

*The Maximiser product is currently not promoted by Origin. See here for current Origin offers. Details below should be treated as historical.*

Origin Energy is one of Australia’s largest energy retailers with over 4.2 million electricity, natural, LPG and solar residential and business customers nationwide. One of Origin’s cheapest and most popular electricity market offers is the ‘Origin Maximiser’, promising the retailer’s biggest conditional discounts. But how does it really stack up? In this article, Canstar Blue will explore the Origin Maximiser electricity product, diving into the detail of its rates, discounts and terms & conditions across the country to help you decide if it’s the right plan for you.

What is the Origin Maximiser?

The ‘Maximiser’ is Origin Energy’s flagship product, available in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. It is called the Maximiser because it “maximises your discount”. Origin electricity customers who sign up to eBilling and pay using direct debit will receive Origin’s largest discount on usage charges, which varies from state to state.

The Origin Maximiser is an ongoing contract with a 12 month benefit period, meaning customers will lose their discount one year after signing up, but will continue as an Origin Energy customer. Keep in mind this is a variable rate contract, which means your rates may change mid-contract.

Origin Maximiser Prices

Origin Energy generally has reasonable base rates, but when you couple this with Origin Maximiser’s hefty discount, you could be looking at some serious savings. The Origin Maximiser has a number of tariff options depending on the state. Customers in QLD, Victoria and NSW may also receive $50 credit when they sign up to this plan online.

Below we have calculated what average households can expect to pay with the Origin Maximiser plan in their first year. These calculations are based on specific postcodes in each state, so make sure to use our energy comparison tool for a quote in your area.

Origin Maximiser Prices NSW

In NSW, the Origin Maximiser has a 16% conditional discount. This product is available on single rate, time of use and controlled load tariffs. The annual cost figure below is based on a typical three-person household.

State Discount Annual Cost Important
NSW 16% $1,651.63 Basic Plan Information

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the Ausgrid network in Sydney on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

Origin Maximiser Prices Victoria

The Origin Maximiser in Victoria has a 24% conditional discount off usage charges, plus the $50 credit mentioned earlier when you sign up online. This product is available on single rate, time of use, flexible pricing, demand and dedicated circuit/controlled load tariffs.

State Discount Annual Cost
Victoria 24% $1,351.17

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the Citipower network in Melbourne on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

Origin Maximiser Prices QLD

Queensland Origin Maximiser customers receive a tidy 16% discount on electricity usage charges. This product is available on single rate, time of use and controlled load tariffs.

State Discount Annual cost Important
Queensland 16% $1,576.22 Basic Plan Information

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the Energex network in Brisbane on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

Origin Maximiser Prices SA

State Discount Annual cost Important
South Australia 18% $2,042.04 Basic Plan Information

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the SA Power network in Adelaide on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

You can see how the Origin Maximiser plan compares to other providers in your area via the links below. And also remember to use our comparison tool for a specific quote in your area.

Origin Maximiser Online-Only Prices

Anyone can sign up to the standard Origin Maximiser plan, as long as it is available in your area and you meet any eligibility requirements. However, the retailer offers its best prices for customers who sign up online. That’s because the Maximiser has an online-only version, bringing an additional discount on top of the standard product in most areas.

This bonus discount varies between states, but could be as much as 5% more just for signing up online, rather than over the phone, for example. If Origin is your retailer of choice and the Maximiser your preferred Origin plan, then signing up online will likely pay off with cheaper bills.

Origin Maximiser Online Only Prices Victoria

State Discount Annual Cost
Victoria 29% $1,293.42

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the Citipower network in Melbourne on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

Origin Maximiser Online Only Prices QLD

State Discount Annual cost Important
Queensland 20% $1,522.78 Basic Plan Information

Calculations based on a three-person household connected the Energex network in Brisbane on a single rate tariff. Prices will vary for those living on a different electricity network.

You can see how the Origin Maximiser plan compares to other providers in your area via the links below. And also remember to use our comparison tool for a specific quote in your area.

Is the Origin Maximiser a lock-in contract?

While the Origin Maximiser is described as an “ongoing contract with 12 months benefit period”, there are no termination or exit fees, meaning customers are not locked into a contract and are free to leave at any time. A ‘benefit period’ merely refers to how long the discount lasts. So on the Origin Maximiser, customers are serviced by Origin until they change retailers or recontract, however the discount only applies for the first 12 months after signing up. You may be about to negotiate a new benefit period at the end of the first year.

Will the Origin Maximiser rates change?

The Origin Maximiser is a variable rate energy contract, as opposed to a fixed rate contract. This means that Origin is able to change your rates at any time, provided it gives written notice in advance. This notice is usually given on your latest bill in the lead up to the rate change. Origin will typically only change rates once a year. In SA, NSW and QLD, rate changes occur on or around July 1. In Victoria, the rate changes usually come into effect on January 1.

Is the Origin Maximiser available with solar?

Origin Energy has two specific products for customers with rooftop solar – Solar Boost and Solar Boost Plus. Customers with solar panels can still sign up to the Maximiser, though it may not offer the same value as Origin’s solar deals. On the Maximiser, customers receive Origin Energy’s standard feed-in tariff which varies across the states.

  • NSW: 9c/kWh
  • Vic: 11.3c/kWh
  • Qld: 7c/kWh
  • SA: 11c/kWh

Does the Origin Maximiser have GreenPower options?

Origin Energy offers GreenPower across all of its plans, including the Maximiser. For an additional cost, customers can choose to have 25%, 50% or 100% of their electricity usage matched by electricity from a GreenPower certified generator. This does not mean households receive green energy – just that Origin is committed to purchasing the equivalent amount of power from GreenPower renewable sources. The additional prices are:

  • 25%: $2/week
  • 50% 2.81c/kWh
  • 100%: 5.61c/kWh

Origin Maximiser Fees

Origin Energy has no establishment or termination fees. It does have a number of relatively standard fees, however, that you will find with almost any retailer. These include:

  • Card payment fee
  • Payment processing fee
  • Paper bill fee
  • Late payment fee

Is the Origin Maximiser right for me?

The Origin Maximiser is generally a competitively-priced electricity product in most states, thanks in no small part to its large conditional discount for paying by direct debit. Direct debit is the most convenient way to pay your power bills. It’s a ‘set and forget’ one-time setup – after you’ve organised your payment details with Origin Energy, you won’t need to do anything else as Origin handles the rest. However, the Maximiser may not be for you if you’re uncomfortable with a company automatically taking money from your bank account.

The danger with direct debit plans is that customers often grow complacent – the conditional discount on the Origin Maximiser only applies for one year, after which you will be left paying significantly more for your energy. However, you can negotiate a new deal after your old one expires and it’s always good to shop around to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

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