Compare Energy in Australia: Electricity Plans & Prices

Energy retailer & plan	ENGIE - ENGIE Black Friday Saver
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,378
Annual Estimated Savings	$432
Energy retailer & plan	Dodo - Residential Market
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,381
Annual Estimated Savings	$429
Energy retailer & plan	Ampol Energy - Powering On
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,399
Annual Estimated Savings	$411
Energy retailer & plan	Kogan Energy - Free FIRST
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,399
Annual Estimated Savings	$411
Energy retailer & plan	Momentum Energy - Warm Welcome
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,420
Annual Estimated Savings	$390
Energy retailer & plan	Pacific Blue - Blue First
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,420
Annual Estimated Savings	$390
Energy retailer & plan	Sumo - sumoSPARK
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,426
Annual Estimated Savings	$384
Energy retailer & plan	Powershop - Switch Saver
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,440
Annual Estimated Savings	$370
Energy retailer & plan	CovaU Energy - Freedom
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,497
Annual Estimated Savings	$313
Energy retailer & plan	EnergyAustralia - Flexi Plan
Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	$1,810
Annual Estimated Market Offer	$1,538
Annual Estimated Savings	$272

Energy retailer & plan

ENGIE - ENGIE Black Friday Saver

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,378

Annual Estimated Savings

$432

Energy retailer & plan

Dodo - Residential Market

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,381

Annual Estimated Savings

$429

Energy retailer & plan

Ampol Energy - Powering On

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,399

Annual Estimated Savings

$411

Energy retailer & plan

Kogan Energy - Free FIRST

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,399

Annual Estimated Savings

$411

Energy retailer & plan

Momentum Energy - Warm Welcome

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,420

Annual Estimated Savings

$390

Energy retailer & plan

Pacific Blue - Blue First

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,420

Annual Estimated Savings

$390

Energy retailer & plan

Sumo - sumoSPARK

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,426

Annual Estimated Savings

$384

Energy retailer & plan

Powershop - Switch Saver

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,440

Annual Estimated Savings

$370

Energy retailer & plan

CovaU Energy - Freedom

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,497

Annual Estimated Savings

$313

Energy retailer & plan

EnergyAustralia - Flexi Plan

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

$1,810

Annual Estimated Market Offer

$1,538

Annual Estimated Savings

$272

Energy retailer & plan	Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)	Annual Estimated Market Offer	Annual Estimated Savings
ENGIE - ENGIE Black Friday Saver	$1,810	$1,378	$432
Dodo - Residential Market	$1,810	$1,381	$429
Ampol Energy - Powering On	$1,810	$1,399	$411
Kogan Energy - Free FIRST	$1,810	$1,399	$411
Momentum Energy - Warm Welcome	$1,810	$1,420	$390
Pacific Blue - Blue First	$1,810	$1,420	$390
Sumo - sumoSPARK	$1,810	$1,426	$384
Powershop - Switch Saver	$1,810	$1,440	$370
CovaU Energy - Freedom	$1,810	$1,497	$313
EnergyAustralia - Flexi Plan	$1,810	$1,538	$272

Energy retailer & plan

Annual Default Offer (Ausgrid)

Annual Estimated Market Offer

Annual Estimated Savings

ENGIE - ENGIE Black Friday Saver

$1,810

$1,378

$432

Dodo - Residential Market

$1,810

$1,381

$429

Ampol Energy - Powering On

$1,810

$1,399

$411

Kogan Energy - Free FIRST

$1,810

$1,399

$411

Momentum Energy - Warm Welcome

$1,810

$1,420

$390

Pacific Blue - Blue First

$1,810

$1,420

$390

Sumo - sumoSPARK

$1,810

$1,426

$384

Powershop - Switch Saver

$1,810

$1,440

$370

CovaU Energy - Freedom

$1,810

$1,497

$313

EnergyAustralia - Flexi Plan

$1,810

$1,538

$272

Can you choose your own energy provider?

Yes, if you live in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, you are free to choose your own energy provider. While Tasmania is now open for competition with retailers, prices are still regulated by the state government.

Although most of Australia has a deregulated energy market, meaning consumers are free to choose their own provider, some parts of the country won’t have any choice. For electricity, this includes Western Australia, the Northern Territory and regional/North Queensland. Here are your current choices for electricity providers in these states and regions:

Western Australia: Synergy

Northern Territory: Jacana Energy

Regional/North Queensland: Ergon Energy

Tasmania: Aurora Energy, 1st Energy, CovaU Energy, Energy Locals

AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia are the three largest electricity retailers in Australia, with a combined market share of roughly 64%. They are known as ‘Tier 1 retailers’.

Is bundling gas with electricity a good idea?

Australian Energy Discounts with Money Matchmaker

The short answer: it depends. If your electricity provider also offers natural gas, then it’s worth considering a bundled approach, particularly if there is an incentive to do so (i.e. a discount or bill credit). However, you should always check the rates of your current gas plan before making the switch.

Although it might be enticing to bundle your utilities, it may be cheaper for each power source (electricity and gas) to come from separate suppliers. For example, a one-off discount for bundling may not be enough to justify switching gas providers over a 12-month period. This is because your existing (or an entirely different) plan may have cheaper gas rates that would negate any savings from a standalone discount.

In addition to natural gas, there are some electricity providers that offer a range of other services, including Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), internet plans and mobile phone plans. Most of these multi-service providers offer discounts for bundling from time to time and could provide some overall savings if you know where to look.

Thankfully in Australia you have an array of options if you have solar. Whether it’s energy retailers offering generous solar feed-in tariff rates, solar-specific plans or deals tailored to electric vehicle (EV) owners, there are plenty of ways for you to save on your electricity bills.

Most, if not all providers offer small rebates for feeding excess power into the grid, known as a ‘feed-in tariff’. There are even power companies that install solar panels and batteries if your existing rooftop system needs to be replaced.

If you have solar, always compare energy providers and check to see if their deals have:

Cheap electricity usage and supply rates

An above average solar feed-in tariff

Discounts, bill credits or rewards programs

Lastly, you may want to check to see a retailer’s service record by browsing real customer reviews and testimonials, as well as any other handy features on offer like apps and online portals.

More energy FAQs

What’s the difference between electricity supply charges and electricity usage rates?

Supply charges (also called a fixed or service charge) are the cost to transport energy to your property and stay connected to the network. Usage charges are the price you’re charged for the amount of energy you use.

What are the main types of energy plans?

There are two main types of energy plans in Australia - market offers and standing (default) offers. A market offer is generally a retailer’s most competitive plan, often featuring cheaper electricity rates, sign-up incentives and discounts. A standing offer is a default contract that is normally less competitive but does have a regulated ‘price cap’ on it to protect consumers.

What fees and charges should you be aware of?

When signing up to an energy plan, it’s important to read the fine print of the contract. There may be unexpected fees lurking, such as payment processing charges if you pay by credit card or if you miss a bill payment by its due date.

Other common charges include paper bill fees if you receive bills via mail, connection fees if you are connecting your electricity supply at a newly-built property, or disconnection fees.

What are the different types of energy tariffs?

The most common types of energy tariffs in Australia are:

Single rate: There are no peak or off-peak times and you will be charged the same rate regardless of when you use energy.

Time of use: You will be charged different rates for using power during certain periods of the day, known as peak, off-peak and shoulder.

Controlled load: Most large appliances like electric hot water systems will be connected to a controlled load where you’ll be charged a separate rate.

Demand: Some retailers may apply this tariff which charges you a ‘demand’ on top of your usage and supply rates for how intensely you use power during a particular period.

What are peak and off-peak energy times?

If your energy plan is on a time of use tariff, you will be charged for your power usage at different rates depending on the time of day. For example, a peak time is typically when electricity is being consumed the most, such as the afternoon and early evening hours on weekdays, where you’ll likely be charged a higher usage rate.

Off-peak times usually reflect periods throughout the day where energy isn’t in high demand, such as late at night or early in the morning. Some retailers may also charge a ‘shoulder’ rate, which is a period between peak and off-peak times – generally less expensive than peak but slightly higher than off-peak.

What is a smart meter and do you need one?

A smart meter is a device that measures a property’s electricity consumption and transmits it to your energy retailer in 30-minute intervals. This data can be accessed remotely by your retailer and is considered a more accurate and reliable way of reading your power usage.

All new and replacement meters are mandatory in Australia, except in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. According to the Australian Energy Regulator, a smart meter gives you more options on how you use and manage your electricity, while giving you access to a wider range of energy services.

Regulated vs deregulated energy market: What’s the difference?

In Australia, there are two types of retail energy markets - regulated and deregulated. A regulated market is where consumers will have no choice (or limited choice) as to who their energy provider is, while a deregulated market is where consumers can choose from a range of retailers.

For example, Western Australia has a regulated electricity market for residential and small business customers where there is no other option than government-owned Synergy, who sets the electricity rates. However, the state’s gas market is deregulated, meaning customers can choose a provider and gas companies are able to set their own rates and fees.

The deregulated electricity markets in Australia are New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland, South Australia, and the ACT. In these locations consumers are free to choose their power company and power companies are free to set their rates on market offers.

What is an energy distributor?

An energy distributor is the company responsible for maintaining energy infrastructure within a specific region. Distributors take care of the grid, pipes, poles and wires that supply households and businesses with electricity and gas. Each state or region has different distributors. For example, the distributor in South East Queensland is Energex, while Ergon Energy looks after the rest of the Sunshine State.

Energy distributors are not to be confused with energy retailers, and have nothing to do with issuing utility bills.

How many electricity retailers are there in Australia?

There are more than 25 electricity providers operating across Australia. Here’s a list of power companies you may be able to choose from, depending on where you live:

1st Energy

ActewAGL

AGL Energy

Alinta Energy

Amber Electric

Aurora Energy

Blue NRG

CovaU Energy

Diamond Energy

Dodo

Electricity in a Box

Energy Locals

EnergyAustralia

ENGIE (formerly Simply Energy)

Enova Energy

Ergon Energy

GloBird energy

Kogan Energy

Lumo Energy

Momentum Energy

Nectr

Next Business Energy

Origin Energy

OVO Energy

Powershop

Red Energy

Sumo

Tango Energy

Which is the cheapest energy retailer in Australia?

The cheapest energy retailer in Australia will vary depending on which Australian state you live in, and your energy usage requirements. Some energy retailers will provide cheaper options than others if you use solar panels at your residence, or if you choose to combine both your electricity and gas plans with a single retailer.

Why are electricity prices increasing?

Electricity prices have risen dramatically in Australia due to major increases in wholesale costs – the price that retailers pay for energy. In addition to increasing wholesale costs, other contributing factors are rising network costs to maintain the poles and wires, as well as higher admin costs for retailers to provide a service to customers while also turning a profit.

How can I compare electricity and gas prices?

To quickly and easily compare energy retailers in Australia, you can use an energy comparison tool that shows the pricing for multiple retailers. This will allow you to compare prices and plans for electricity, gas, or a combination of both. Using a tool which allows you to filter results by your location will allow you to compare energy plans available in your area.

How do I switch energy providers?

Here's a step-by-step list on how to switch energy providers in Australia:

Check to see if there are any exit fees on your current plan

Review your current plan’s usage rate (c/kWH), supply charge (c/day) and any discounts or incentives

Determine your energy requirements (check an existing bill for your usage)

Compare the best energy plans against your current plan

Once you’ve made a decision, make the switch to your new plan and energy provider

Your new power company will likely take it from here (i.e. break the news to your old retailer)

You should receive confirmation of the switch from your new provider

Cancel direct debit payments to your old provider

Keep note of your new billing cycle

Does it cost anything to switch energy providers?

More often than not, it costs nothing to switch to a new energy provider. However, when changing power companies, you will need to ensure that you account for any early exit fees or penalties for cancelling your current plan early. The good news is that most plans today have no lock-in contracts or exit fees, meaning it’ll cost you nothing to switch.

If in doubt, contact your current electricity retailer for more information about any restrictions or penalties that may apply to cancel your existing plan early. Before deciding to switch energy suppliers, it’s worthwhile reviewing your existing agreement and its terms and conditions.

How long does it take to switch energy providers?

If you decide to change energy retailers, your electricity and gas can be switched within as little as two business days. New rules were introduced in late 2021 to speed up the switching process, which previously took as long as 90 days.

Now, customers can take advantage of cheaper rates and better deals almost overnight, which means retailers are encouraged to offer their best plans at all times, not just as a way of retaining a customer when they decide to leave.

Is there a cooling-off period when switching?

Yes, after switching energy providers you’ll be given a cooling-off period of 10 business days. During this time you are free to cancel the contract should you change your mind. To do so, simply contact your retailer within this period to cancel your plan.

What is a solar feed-in tariff?

A solar feed-in tariff is a small rebate you’ll receive from your energy retailer for exporting excess electricity back into the grid. Solar feed-in tariffs are paid in cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) and will vary in rates (i.e. 4c to 12c/kWh) depending on the power company and plan.

Where does Australia’s energy come from?

Fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, account for roughly two-thirds (68%) of Australia’s total electricity generation, according to the latest data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Although our power supply still relies heavily on fossil fuels, renewable energy such as solar (14%), wind (11%) and hydro (6%) are increasingly contributing to the mix.

Are green energy plans worth it?

If you’re conscious about the environment and your carbon footprint, then a green energy plan is worth considering. In Australia, you can usually add GreenPower to your plan, which supports the generation of electricity from government accredited renewable sources, such as wind and solar farms. However, choosing a GreenPower plan will likely come at an additional cost.

It’s also worth noting that all properties connected to the power grid will be using electricity from a mixture of renewable and non-renewable sources. Adding GreenPower simply means you’ll be paying for an equal amount of renewable energy that matches your usage (or a portion of your usage that you choose), which is then fed into the grid.

For example, EnergyAustralia gives customers a choice of adding 10%, 20% or 100% of GreenPower to their electricity plan. Again, this comes at an additional cost to the bill-payer.

What does ‘carbon offset’ mean?

Carbon offset simply refers to an energy plan being ‘carbon neutral’, meaning that it allows you to offset your emissions by investing in green initiatives around the world. Some retailers will allow you to opt in for carbon neutral energy at no extra cost, while others may charge a small fee for doing so.

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