Compare NSW Gas Suppliers

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Alinta Energy tops NSW gas ratings for the first time

It’s time for NSW households to start thinking more carefully about their choice of gas supplier. With the removal of gas price regulations in 2017, customers are now inundated with a raft of new providers and products, so it’s crucial to do your homework because a great deal could be waiting for you. All this extra competition should help put a downward pressure on gas prices, but it may also make the process of picking the right deal for you more confusing. To help you along the way, consider our customer satisfaction ratings. We’ve surveyed more than 1,200 bill-paying customers across NSW to find out what they think about their gas suppliers. Price is hugely important, but the best deal for you could also mean great customer service, helpful tools & advice, or having a retailer with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. So, which supplier is really cooking with gas in NSW?

This year, our review includes the big three gas suppliers in NSW – AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia – and their two biggest challengers right now – Red Energy and Alinta Energy. Gas customers across NSW have given us their feedback on their provider based on a range of important factors, with Alinta coming out on top this year. Alinta takes over from Origin as the best-rated gas supplier in NSW, taking out top marks in all the key areas, with Red Energy in second place and the big three following behind for overall satisfaction.

Best Gas Suppliers in NSW

Here are the best gas suppliers in NSW as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest satisfaction survey:

1. Alinta Energy
2. Red Energy
3. EnergyAustralia
4. Origin
5. AGL

When it comes to gas, NSW customers seem to be particularly impressed with Alinta’s value for money, customer service, bill & cost clarity and online tools & advice, where the retailer scored five stars. Alinta Energy was also the only provider in this year’s ratings to earn five stars for overall satisfaction. This adds to Alinta’s ongoing success in our annual review of electricity providers in Queensland where it has taken out the title four years running, so it must be doing something right.

Read on as we explore what the five gas suppliers in this review have to offer and how you can get a better deal from them. And while you’re here, you may want to compare their electricity and gas prices with our comparison tool below, or keep scrolling for a snapshot of cheap gas deals from our database..

Cheap Gas Prices NSW – quick comparison

NSW Gas Suppliers

Alinta Energy

Alinta Energy is an emerging energy retailer, serving most states for gas. In NSW, you’ll have two plans to choose from with this retailer, one with lower rates, and the other with a value-add incentive. The second is only available to households that bundle electricity and gas with Alinta. It includes a year-long subscription to Kayo Basic, a sport streaming service. NSW residents who choose Alinta Energy for gas can generally expect quarterly bills and flexible payment options. The plans currently available will also carry variable rates, as well as no strict contracts and exit fees.

• This year’s winner, Alinta Energy, has knocked it out of the park, scoring five stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, customer service, bill & cost clarity and online tools and advice. It’s only non-five star categories were focus on environmental sustainability and ease of sign-up, for which it scored four stars.

Alinta Energy Gas Plans

Here are the Alinta gas plans on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Red Energy

Red Energy is owned by renewable energy generation company Snowy Hydro, which is perhaps something to consider given that customers are especially happy with its focus on environmental sustainability this year. The retailer keeps things interesting with a few plans to choose from. One of these products boasts the added bonus of two Qantas points for every $1 you spend on gas, but overall, Red Energy seems to focus on competitive rates rather than discounts. Red Energy also gives customers access to its exclusive Red Energy Rewards program, providing money off social activities such as movie tickets, attractions and hotels. All Red Energy plans in NSW come with variable rates, no contract term or exit fees.

• Red Energy received four stars for overall satisfaction this year, with this score continuing through to value for money and bill & cost clarity. It earned a notable five stars for focus on environmental sustainability, customer service and online tools & advice, but just three stars for ease of sign-up.

Red Energy Gas Plans

Here are the Red Energy gas plans on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

EnergyAustralia

EnergyAustralia has a range of gas plans for prospective customers to choose from, including two fixed rate products that see rates locked in for 12 months. One plan also includes a large guaranteed discount off both usage and supply charges for one year. The company also offers one standard variable rate gas plan. It brings no discounts or exit fees, and has zero late payment fees. Two of the three plans have 12-month benefit periods, while the basic plan has an ongoing benefit period. The retailer may also offer bill credits from time to time when you sign up online, but this is usually only available with certain plans.

• EnergyAustralia scored three stars for overall satisfaction in our latest NSW gas review, plus on value for money and bill & cost clarity. It did, however, earn five stars for ease of sign up. For its focus on environmental sustainability, customer service and online tools & advice, it scored four stars.

EnergyAustralia Gas Plans

Here are the EnergyAustralia gas plans on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Origin Energy

Integrated energy company Origin offers a comprehensive range of gas products for NSW households to consider, including a couple of variable rate deals with different plan features, as well a fixed rate offer. The first two plans come with varying discounts and conditions based on personal preference, with customers able to choose a plan with guaranteed discounts off usage and supply charges for 12 months. Customers may also be required to manage their account from the Origin app. The third Origin plan doesn’t come with a discount, but gives the option to “set and forget”, which may suit some households. All of Origin’s gas plans come without exit fees or lock-in contracts, regardless of the benefit period length.

• Origin earned three stars for overall gas satisfaction this year. It did however rate five stars for ease of sign up. Origin took out four stars for customer service and online tools & advice, and three stars for value for money, focus on environmental sustainability and bill & cost clarity.

Origin Gas Plans

Here are the Origin gas plans on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

AGL

AGL has just two gas deals for households in the state to choose from. The first comes with variable rates and there is no contract period. AGL’s second gas plan has fixed rates for 24 months as well a bill credit that’s applied every three months over two years. AGL is one of several retailers to go down the no discount plan route, with these deals often working out cheaper than discounted offers. It also has its own rewards program called AGL Rewards where customers can access a range of lifestyle deals.

• AGL was awarded three stars for overall satisfaction in NSW this year. It received four stars for customer service, ease of sign-up and online tools & advice. It scored three stars for value for money, bill & cost clarity and environmental sustainability.

AGL Gas Plans

Here are the AGL gas plans on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

List of NSW Gas Suppliers

The NSW gas market should become even more competitive in the coming years following the lifting of price restrictions. If our customer ratings are any indicator, it will be worth keeping your eyes peeled for future offers as other retailers attempt to chip away at the dominance of the big three. Here is a full list of gas suppliers in NSW:

• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU
• Discover Energy
• Dodo
• EnergyAustralia
• GloBird Energy
• Origin Energy
• Red Energy
• Simply Energy
• Sumo

Alinta looks like one worth considering, given its clear win in this year’s ratings. But it’s worth comparing a wide range of plans available in your area before making a decision. if you want to compare gas prices, you can do so with our cost comparison report here. You can also review electricity prices here.

About the NSW Gas Market

While AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia have the most residential gas customers in NSW – 90+% between them according to latest industry report from the Australian Energy Market Commission – households across the state have been able to switch gas suppliers for several years, with providers such as Red Energy, Simply Energy and Dodo also competing for customers, though some retailers usually only offer gas when customers also sign up for electricity.

Before the complete removal of gas price regulations in 2017, AGL, Origin and Actew AGL were required by law to offer regulated gas contracts in NSW, which were agreed with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal. These regulated tariffs were provided in addition to their standard and market offers, which all gas suppliers in the state are now free to offer.

NSW Gas Contracts

The path to gas savings starts with understanding what type of contract you are on and which is the best bet for your needs. With the removal of regulated gas contracts in NSW in 2017, all households will be on either a standard or market contract.

• Standard contracts: All gas providers are required to offer standard contracts. While they have prices set by the retailers, these can only be changed every six months, plus the company has to adhere to a robust set of customer protection rules set in legislation. Standing offers are ongoing and have no exit fees.
• Market contracts: These are contracts set out almost entirely by the energy retailers. This means that prices can be changed at any time, there are set contract periods, and exit fees might apply. However, these contracts also provide the opportunity for customers to save through conditional discounts and other sign-up incentives.

While standing offer plans provide some protection against price increases, Canstar Blue research shows that households will almost always save by switching to market contracts, provided that they stick to the terms and conditions. Households previously on a regulated contract will have been switched onto their retailer’s standard contract following gas price deregulation in NSW, unless they have explicitly asked to be placed on a market contract. Anyone unclear about their personal circumstances should contact their retailer. The NSW government also provides a helpful FAQ resource.

NSW Gas Plans

While there are around 30 electricity providers now operating across NSW, only about half this number also retail natural gas, and not in all areas. As more and more customers consider their electricity options, it could mean that a growing number of households choose to get their gas and electricity from different providers. However, the big providers often offer ‘double up’ discounts for receiving both electricity and gas from them. They also typically offer three or four different gas products, with varying discounts, such as pay on time or direct debit. Most come with variable rates, though fixed rate deals are also occasionally provided.

• Variable rate plans: The majority of gas plans in NSW come with variable rates, meaning prices can change at any time, as long as your retailer gives you notice of at least 10 business days.
• Fixed rate plans: These plans allow customers to ‘lock in’ usage and supply rates for the term of their agreement, usually two years. While offering some protection against future price increases, usage rates on fixed rate plans are likely to be higher to begin with.

Usage charges will likely make up the majority of your overall energy costs, but it’s also important to pay attention to supply charges, because the providers with lower usage rates often make up for these with higher daily supply charges. These are the costs you incur on an ongoing basis simply for being connected to the network. The cheapest gas usage charges that you’re likely to find in NSW will be around 2.8 cents a megajoule – the unit of measurement for gas. To put this into context, a typical gas oven will use around 12 megajoules (MJ) an hour. Fixed daily supply charges usually cost around 40-70 cents.

NSW Gas Tariffs

Fortunately, gas tariffs in NSW are fairly simple. Households are charged for gas in ‘blocks’, with the first block of gas used (say, 20MJ) usually costing the most. For example, you might pay 4.2 cents for the first block of 20 megajoules a day, then 2.5 cents for the next block, and so on. Learn about electricity tariffs in NSW here.

Gas Distribution Networks in NSW

Besides contract types, usage rates, supply charges, tariffs and discounts, the other crucial thing that will impact the amount you pay for gas is where you happen to live. There are three different gas networks in NSW and gas prices can vary significantly between them. For example, an Origin customer on one network might have higher usage charges than another Origin customer with the same plan but living on a different distribution network. This is because energy distributors have their own costs and these are passed on to customers through retailer charges. The three distribution networks in NSW are:

• Jemena Gas Networks – servicing Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong and parts of country NSW
• Central Ranges System – servicing Tamworth
• Wagga Wagga Gas Distribution Network

ActewAGL – the primary electricity and gas retailer in the ACT – also serves some customers in regional NSW.

Picking your gas supplier

There are lots of things to think about when it comes to picking a gas supplier for your home. In 2019, we asked respondents to our survey about their main reasons for initially picking their gas supplier. This is what we found:

• 25% shopped around and compared plans and prices
• 26% were attracted by a big discount
• 20% just went with a retailer name they recognised
• 13% were attracted by a different sign-up incentive (e.g. movie tickets)
• 12% picked the retailer that appealed most to them for other reasons (e.g. green credentials)

Just under a third (30%) of NSW gas customers signed up to their supplier over the phone and a similar number (29%) signed up online. A whopping 92% of survey respondents think they get a good deal on gas, although only 33% have switched gas suppliers in the last two years.

How to get a better deal on gas in NSW

While energy plans always seem confusing, this report has identified a few key things you can do to get a better deal on natural gas. It might seem like hard work, but when it comes to gas and electricity, you only find the best deals with a little leg work. Here are the three most important things to consider:

• What type of contract are you on? Standard contracts are almost always more expensive than market offers, so switching from the former to the latter is the first positive step towards securing cheaper rates.
• Compare the usage and supply charges of various gas plans: Energy companies are required to publish their plan information documents on their websites, which is where you will find these details.
• Consider the discounts and other incentives offered: Once you’ve worked out what cheap and expensive usage and supply prices look like, consider the discounts being offered and how they compare to other deals. Make sure you understand the conditions of the discount and how long the benefit period is.

Also consider how other consumers rate their energy suppliers. You will never really know how good or bad a retailer is until you’re a customer, so online reviews like ours provide an insight into what you can really expect. It’s the providers that strike the perfect balance between price and good customer service that usually rise to the top of our ratings. This year, Origin Energy is the gas and electricity supplier to beat in NSW, but be sure to compare a wide range of options before diving in.

About the author of this page

This page was originally published by Canstar Blue Editor-in-Chief Simon Downes. He’s been writing about the Australian energy industry for more than five years, covering the evolution of the competitive market, retailer behaviour, regulatory changes and what it all means for consumers trying to find a better deal. He’s passionate about helping Aussies better understand their options and highlighting the best new deals. Simon also acts as spokesperson for Canstar Blue and is one of Australia’s most prominent energy industry commentators.

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