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GloBird Energy swoops into top spot as best-rated gas supplier in Victoria

When it comes to energy in Victoria, most of the hype is around the electricity companies and their big promises around great savings. But it’s important not to lose sight of what you pay for gas – because getting a good deal on your natural gas supply is just as important. Gas plays an important role in the lives of most Victorian families, but it’s something that’s easy to take for granted – until your next gas bill comes in! Complaining about constantly rising energy costs is something we all do, but not all of us are proactive in comparing providers to try and secure a better deal, often because it’s perceived to be too difficult and ultimately a fruitless exercise. But it doesn’t have to be – and can be well worth the effort. To make the process easier, Canstar Blue produces an annual review of gas suppliers in Victoria to find out which are keeping their customers happy – and which are not! Read on for details.

This year, more than 1,600 households in Melbourne and across Victoria have given us their opinions of their gas suppliers, with their feedback reflected by the star ratings table you see above. 10 major gas providers feature in the results – judged on factors including customer service, tools & advice, bill & 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. This is what we found:

Best Gas Suppliers in Victoria

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

1. GloBird Energy
2. Red Energy
3. Alinta Energy
4. Momentum Energy
5. EnergyAustralia
6. Dodo
7. Origin
8. Lumo Energy
9. AGL
10. Simply Energy

GloBird Energy has landed at the top of our gas ratings table for the first time ever, with last year’s winner, Red Energy, trailing closely behind. Like in previous years, the review highlights a notable divide in customer satisfaction between gas suppliers of all sizes. Red Energy, Alinta Energy and Momentum Energy got four stars for overall satisfaction, with EnergyAustralia, Dodo, Origin, Lumo Energy, AGL and Simply Energy deemed worthy of just three stars.

In addition to customer satisfaction, you can see how these gas retailers stack up on price in our Victorian gas price comparison report. And you can compare their electricity and gas prices with our comparison tool below. Read on for further details about the compared gas suppliers and how you can get a better deal.

Cheap Gas Prices VIC – quick comparison

VIC Gas Suppliers

GloBird Energy

Electricity and gas retailer, GloBird Energy, debuts as the winner of our annual Victorian gas review. The Australian-owned company 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 via direct debit. The retailer also recently introduced a ‘green’ product which claims to offset 100 per cent 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.

• GloBird Energy rated five stars for its overall satisfaction and value for money. It earned four-star ratings for its bill & cost clarity, customer service and ease of sign-up. The retailer scored just three stars for online tools and advice and focus on environmental sustainability.

GloBird Energy Gas Plans

Here 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.

Red Energy

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. The provider’s other plan includes access to Red Energy Rewards – a loyalty scheme that brings savings on things like movie tickets, eating out and hotels etc. Red Energy’s rates are variable though, so you’ll have to watch out for any unexpected price changes.

• Last year’s winner, Red Energy, recorded five stars for its customer service. It earned four stars for overall satisfaction, bill & cost clarity, value for money, ease of sign-up and environmental sustainability. The retailer’s only three star was for online tools & advice.

Red Energy Gas Plans

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. 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

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. Eligible customers who are with Alinta for electricity, may also choose a second plan which offers a 12-month subscription to Kayo Basic – a sports streaming service. Ranking in third this year, Alinta Energy is also currently rated best in our QLD electricity provider comparison.

• Alinta Energy managed to score four stars across all categories this year, remaining consistent in its customer service, value for money and overall satisfaction score from the previous year.

Alinta Energy Gas Plans

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

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 – which include specific plans for solar customers – Momentum’s gas plans are similar, with no discounts to be seen. Momentum’s approach to energy retail – and its obvious focus on renewables – has clearly seen it win over lots of Victorian customers. It also performed well in our previous annual reviews of electricity providers in Victoria.

• Ranked fourth in our latest VIC gas review, Momentum Energy rated five stars for bill & cost clarity and customer service. It got four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and focus on environmental sustainability. It got only three stars for online tools & advice and ease of sign-up.

Momentum Energy Gas Plans

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.

EnergyAustralia

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.

• In our latest Victoria gas review, EnergyAustralia earned four stars across most research categories, including bill & cost clarity, customer service, environmental focus and ease of sign-up. For overall satisfaction, value for money and online tools & advice, this retailer scored three stars.

EnergyAustralia Gas Plans

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.

Dodo

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 the state of 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 needs.

• Taking out sixth place is Dodo, which scored four stars across almost all research categories, including customer service, bill & cost clarity and value for money. Its only three-star rating was for overall satisfaction.

Dodo Gas Plans

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.

Origin Energy

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 a variety of fixed and variable rate plans, with one product even going as far as to 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.

• Origin was rated three stars across most research categories, such as overall satisfaction, customer service, online tools & advice, environmental sustainability and value for money. For bill & cost clarity and ease of sign-up, this retailer scored a commendable four stars.

Origin Gas Plans

Here 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.

Lumo Energy

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. Lumo’s main plan brings competitive rates that can be locked in for a minimum term of 12 months. All Lumo deals come on a no-contract basis, plus there are no exit fees.

• Lumo Energy scored four stars for bill cost & clarity, customer service and ease of sign-up. It earned three stars in all other categories, including value for money and overall satisfaction.

Lumo Energy Gas Plans

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. 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

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.

• AGL has managed to climb the VIC gas ratings list slightly this year, with an almost clean sweep of three-star ratings. The only area in which it scored four stars was bill & cost clarity.

AGL Gas Plans

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.

Simply Energy

Owned by French utilities giant Engie, Simply Energy offers a comprehensive range of energy plans for Victorians to choose from. Its main gas offer comes with a guaranteed discount off usage and supply charges, as well as a complimentary 12-month membership to NRMA Blue. The contract period on this offer is ongoing and it comes with no exit fees or lock-in contracts, as well as variable rates. A previous winner of our Victoria gas suppliers review, Simply Energy was rated tenth best this year.

• Rounding up our VIC gas ratings this year, Simply Energy was the only retailer to score a five-star rating for its ease of sign-up. In all other areas however, this Victoria gas retailer earned just three stars.

Simply Energy Gas Plans

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.

About the Victoria Gas Market

Victoria now has a hugely competitive gas retail market, but that hasn’t always been the case. Since 2002, households around the state have been able to move from standard contracts onto market contracts with different providers, but with price regulations, there would have been little financial incentive to do so. However, the Victorian Government lifted energy price regulations for gas and electricity in 2009, paving the way for new companies to enter the market and challenge the dominance of the incumbents. That’s exactly what’s happened, with suppliers such as Simply Energy, Lumo Energy, Momentum Energy and Red Energy offering competitive plans and often superior customer service. In more recent times, some other retailers that previously only retailed electricity have also started to sell gas. These include GloBird Energy, Powershop and Sumo.

While competition is important, it can also lead to confusion, with multiple gas plans now offered by most retailers. This makes it hard to work out which offer is right for you. However, before talking about plans, let’s first go over the basic information you’ll need to know in order to get a better deal.

Gas Contracts in Victoria

There are two types of gas contracts in Victoria – standard contracts and market contracts.

• Standard contracts are what households are likely to be on if they have not switched providers since Full Retail Competition was introduced in Victoria back in 2002. Prices on standard contracts are set by the retailers, but their terms and conditions are still controlled by the Victorian Essential Services Commission which regulates the energy industry. This means certain minimum standards are met around prices, price changes, exit fees and other T&Cs.
• Market contracts are what customers in Melbourne and the rest of the state are likely to be on if they have switched energy providers over the last few years. Market offers are almost entirely set by the energy companies, meaning they come with varying contract lengths, conditional benefits and may include exit fees. Importantly, retailers could change prices whenever they want, unless you have a fixed rate plan whereby prices are usually increased every two years.

Market contracts should always work out the cheaper option, but only if you can stick to the conditions of your plan. Failure to do so could leave you paying significantly more.

Gas Plans in Victoria

Whether you have a standard contract or market gas contract, the amount you pay will be determined by two main charges – supply costs and usage charges.

• Supply costs are what you pay to be connected to the gas network in your area. These are fixed daily charges that you’ll need to pay regardless of how much gas you actually use.
• Usage charges are what you will pay for the gas that is actually used to heat your oven or used to heat your hot water, for example. These costs can vary depending on the time you use gas, which we’ll come to shortly.

The easiest way to compare two different gas providers is to check out their supply and usage charges. In Victoria, these costs can vary significantly between the retailers. Some may appear to have cheap supply prices, but these could be made up for by higher usage rates, or vice versa. Also, be aware that most plans come with variable rate charges, meaning the amount you pay could be changed by your provider at any time. Some gas retailers offer plans with fixed rates – meaning your supply and usage charges are locked in for a set period – but there are pros and cons to fixed rate plans.

Gas Charges in Victoria

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:

• Pay 2.6 cents per megajoule (MJ) for the first 100 megajoules
• Then pay 2.2 cents per megajoule for the next 100 megajoules
• Then pay 1.8 cents per megajoule for the next 100 megajoules

These rates are typical of peak-time gas usage costs. However, you can expect cheaper rates if you use gas at off-peak times. The majority of households in Victoria now have smart meters and are therefore able to use flexible pricing tariffs.

Gas Distribution Networks in Victoria

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:

• Australian Gas Networks: Servicing northern suburbs of Melbourne, eastern Victoria and the Mornington Peninsula.
• AusNet Services: Servicing outer western suburbs of Melbourne and western Victoria.
• Multinet Gas: Servicing eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

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.

Picking your gas supplier

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 2021 about their main reasons for initially picking their gas supplier. This is what we found:

• 38% wanted the same brand as their electricity
• 24% shopped around and compared plans and prices
• 21% were attracted by a big discount
• 16% just went with a retailer name they recognised
• 11% were attracted by a different sign-up incentive (e.g. movie tickets)
• 10% picked the retailer that appealed most to them for other reasons (e.g. green credentials)

Almost a third of gas customers in Victoria (32%) signed up to their supplier over the phone, the survey found, while nearly the same amount signed up online (39%). Only 42 per cent of survey respondents believe they get a good deal on gas, with 13 per cent having switched gas suppliers in the last two years.

How to get a better deal on gas in Victoria

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:

• What type of contract are they offering?
• What is the contract length and are there any exit fees?
• How much are the supply and usage charges?
• What discount is available and what are the conditions?
• What other incentives/rewards can they offer?

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.

About the author of this page

This page was written and is constantly updated by Canstar Blue’s energy content producer, Kelseigh Wrigley. As a qualified journalist, Kelseigh aims to light the way for everyday Aussies, helping them find a better deal on their energy plan. Whether it’s value for money, new incentives, deals on gas or solar, Kelseigh is keen to help customers put money back in their pockets.

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