For the first time since 2015, Lumo Energy has re-emerged as the best-rated gas supplier in Victoria. The Aussie-owned provider scored five-star reviews for value for money, bill and cost clarity, customer service and overall satisfaction.
This year, more than 1,600 households in Melbourne and across Victoria have given us their opinions on their gas suppliers, with their feedback reflected by the star ratings table you see above. 11 major gas providers feature in the results – judged on factors including customer service, online tools and advice, bill and cost clarity and value for money – and there is a clear divide between suppliers big and small. Our aim is to give you as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision about your gas retailer. Please keep in mind, there may be other retailers operating in your area that haven’t been included in this report.
Canstar Blue surveyed 1,699 Victorian households for their feedback on their natural gas retailer. Respondents had to live in Victoria, have a gas account and pay the bills for their response to be eligible.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their natural gas provider 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 VIC Natural Gas Providers:
Lumo Energy has landed at the top of our gas ratings table for the first time since 2015, with last year’s winner, GloBird Energy, not too far behind. Like in previous years, this review highlights a notable divide in customer satisfaction between gas suppliers of all sizes. Red Energy, GloBird Energy, Simply Energy, AGL and Alinta Energy got four stars for overall satisfaction, with Momentum Energy, Origin Energy, Tango Energy, EnergyAustralia and Dodo deemed worthy of just three stars.
Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
This year’s winning brand, Lumo Energy scored five stars for value for money, bill and cost clarity, customer service and overall satisfaction. Its online tools and advice and ease of sign-up however earned four stars.
Lumo Energy is one of two electricity providers owned by renewable energy generation company Snowy Hydro – the other being Red Energy. Based in Melbourne, Lumo Energy offers a basic range of electricity and gas plans. All Lumo deals come on a no-contract basis, plus there are no exit fees.
Here are the Lumo Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Red Energy recorded five stars for its customer service. It earned four stars for overall satisfaction, bill and cost clarity, value for money and ease of sign-up. The retailer’s only three-star rating was for online tools and advice.
Red Energy is owned by renewable energy generation company Snowy Hydro, along with its sister brand Lumo Energy. Red Energy’s main selling point is its partnership with airline Qantas, which sees customers pocket frequent flyer points for paying their energy bill. With Red Energy’s Qantas point plans, Victorians can bag up to two points for every $1 spent on energy, in addition to an initial windfall of 15,000 points should they sign up for both electricity and gas with Red. Red Energy’s rates are variable though, so you’ll have to watch out for any unexpected price changes.
Here are the Red Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Last year’s winner, GloBird Energy was rated four stars for its overall satisfaction, value for money, bill and cost clarity and ease of sign-up. It earned three-star reviews for its customer service and online tools and advice.
Electricity and gas retailer, GloBird Energy, has emerged as one of the main ‘second tier’ challengers to Victoria’s power giants – AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia. It usually offers three or four plans, all of which come with different selling points for customers to think about. One of GloBird’s deals is tailored to customers who prefer to set and forget, while others offer small discounts to those who pay on time and via direct debit. The retailer also recently introduced a ‘green’ product which claims to offset 100% of the emissions associated with the plan. Additionally, Victorians may choose to consolidate their electricity and gas with GloBird Energy, in which case, they’ll have access to a larger conditional discount.
Here are the GloBird Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Simply Energy has jumped up the ratings this year, earning itself four stars across almost all research categories including value for money and overall satisfaction.
Owned by French utilities giant Engie, Simply Energy offers a comprehensive range of energy plans for Victorians to choose from. All contract periods are ongoing with no exit fees or lock-in contracts, as well as variable rates. A previous winner of our Victorian gas suppliers review, Simply Energy was rated fourth best this year.
Here are the Simply Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
AGL has managed to climb the VIC gas ratings list this year, with an almost clean sweep of four-star ratings, aside from its online tools and advice where it achieved a notable five stars. AGL was also the only provider to earn top marks in this particular research category.
Energy giant AGL gives Victorians two gas plans to choose from, both coming in with variable rates. The retailer’s flagship offer comes with no discounts, however, customers must agree to email communication to be eligible. Its other plan is similar, but does not require e-communications. It may not have as diverse a range of products as some of its competitors, but AGL’s biggest selling points are its ‘value add’ incentives, including access to AGL Rewards.
Here are the AGL gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Alinta Energy managed to score four stars for its overall satisfaction, value for money, bill and cost clarity and customer service. It did however, receive just three stars for its online tools and advice and ease of sign-up.
A major gas and electricity retailer across the country – including Western Australia – Alinta Energy was recently acquired by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate company, but remains headquartered in Sydney. In terms of its plans, Alinta Energy keeps things markedly simple with one variable rate market offer in each state that it serves. It comes without any conditional discounts, just reasonable rates. There is no lock-in contract or exit fees. Ranking in sixth this year, Alinta Energy is also currently rated best in our QLD electricity provider comparison.
Here are the Alinta Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Momentum Energy has slipped down the ranks this year, earning a mixed bag of results. It received three stars for its overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of sign-up, while its online tools and advice was deemed worthy of just two stars. It did however, manage to snag a four-star rating for its bill and cost clarity and customer service.
Owned by renewable energy generation company Hydro Tasmania, Momentum Energy is a champion of green energy and helping Australian consumers make energy-efficient decisions. It’s also an advocate of keeping things relatively simple for prospective customers, steering clear of the big conditional discounts offered by some retailers and instead just focusing on fairly competitive rates. In Victoria, Momentum has three main residential electricity offers, and three simple products for gas customers. Like its electricity deals, Momentum’s gas plans are similar, with no discounts to be seen.
Here are the Momentum Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Origin was rated three stars across almost all research categories, bar online tools and advice where this retailer scored a commendable four stars.
Origin Energy usually has three or four different gas offers for Victorian households to pick from, depending on personal preferences and circumstances. The retailer offers variable rate plans, with one product even going as far as awarding Everyday Rewards points. For those who prefer to do nothing other than pay their bills, Origin also has a gas plan with no discounts, just competitive rates with an ongoing benefit period. Unique quotes are offered based on previous usage history. However, this will require customers to get in contact with Origin to see if they are eligible. There are no exit fees with any Origin gas plan.
Here are the Origin gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Tango Energy is another provider to pull a mixed bag of results in this year’s ratings. For its value for money, bill and cost clarity and customer service, the retailer earned a notable four stars. Its overall satisfaction and ease of sign-up was deemed three stars while its online tools and advice scored just two stars.
Founded in 1992, Tango Energy (previously branded Pacific Hydro) is a Melbourne-based provider operating as the retail arm of renewable power generation company Pacific Hydro. It primarily operates in Victoria for electricity and natural gas, although it has since expanded to New South Wales, south-east Queensland and South Australia for electricity. Tango Energy is also a heavy contender in our Victorian electricity provider ratings.
Here are the Tango Energy gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
In our latest Victorian gas review, EnergyAustralia earned a clean sweep of three stars across all research categories.
One of the biggest electricity and gas companies in the country, EnergyAustralia provides one of the most diverse product ranges of all retailers. Although, with all the choice could come confusion. EnergyAustralia’s gas plans come with variable rates and its flagship offer includes a guaranteed discount off gas usage and supply charges, plus it comes without exit fees as an added bonus.
Here are the EnergyAustralia gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Rounding up our ratings this year is Dodo, which scored three stars across almost all research categories bar value for money, where it earned a notable four stars.
If you lived in Australia in the 2000s, you’ll be familiar with Dodo, the talking bird on TV ads trying to sell you internet and phone services. But although it may be best known as a telco provider, savvy households may also be familiar with its electricity and gas deals. This retailer has just one variable rate gas plan in Victoria, that comes without a contract or exit fees. There’s also usually a discount on offer for customers that choose to bundle all of their home services with Dodo. This company is owned by Vocus Communications, a retail giant behind many telco companies, and its main selling point is that customers would prefer to deal with just one company for all of their home utility needs.
Here are the Dodo gas plans on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Whether you’re buying gas or electricity, the key to getting a better deal is understanding the different factors that determine the costs you’ll need to pay, including contract types, plans, tariffs and charges. In summary, here are some questions that are worth asking any prospective gas provider in Victoria:
Remember that the Victorian gas market is now hugely competitive, with more than 15 different providers competing for your business. This puts you – the paying customer – in the driving seat. Make sure you shop around for the best deal for you and don’t be afraid to switch if you’re not 100% satisfied with the price you’re currently paying or the service you’re receiving. With so much competition, you may even be able to benefit from a growing number of rewards programs and other sign-up incentives. Ultimately, it’s all about what gives you the best value. That could mean the cheapest prices you can find, but it may also mean you get value from other parts of the plan.
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 TeamOur customer satisfaction ratings feature the most prominent natural gas suppliers in Victoria, but there are a handful of others to choose from. Here is a list of companies currently selling gas in Victoria:
While there are many gas providers to choose from in Victoria, keep in mind that some only sell gas when you also purchase electricity.
You may not realise, but one of the biggest factors in determining the prices you pay for energy is your location. Melbourne and the rest of Victoria is split between various energy distributor networks, with different companies responsible for maintaining and improving the vast infrastructure that transports gas and electricity to your particular suburb. While there are five electricity distribution networks in Victoria, households are divided into three gas networks:
This is useful to know – not only because these companies are who you will need to contact if you have a problem with your gas supply, or notice a gas leak, but because the network you live on has an impact on your overall costs. Energy distributor costs can account for up to 50% of your overall energy bills.
Natural gas prices are charged in cents per megajoule (the unit of measurement for gas). Peak time gas usage rates will typically cost between 2.5 and 3 cents per megajoule. To put this into perspective, your gas oven probably uses around 12 megajoules an hour. It’s important to have a handle on gas prices to help you monitor and act on your usage.
If you have a time of use tariff, the amount you will pay for gas will change depending on the time of day you use it. In Victoria, gas usage may also be broken into daily ‘blocks’, with the first block of power usually costing the most. For example, you could:
These rates are typical of peak-time gas usage costs. However, you can expect cheaper rates if you use gas at off-peak times.
There are lots of things to think about when it comes to picking a gas supplier for your home. We asked Victorian respondents to our survey in 2022 about their main reasons for initially picking their gas supplier. This is what we found:
Almost a third of gas customers in Victoria (29%) signed up to their supplier over the phone, the survey found, while nearly the same amount signed up online (30%). Only 42% of survey respondents believe they get a good deal on gas, with 12% having switched gas suppliers in the last two years.
Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s Natural Gas Suppliers – VIC Customer Satisfaction Award:
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