Compare Energy
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Top 3 things to know about comparing energy plans
It pays to compare energy plans
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Simple to use
Get started by answering a few quick questions to help us understand your energy needs.
Compare & save
Save time and money by easily comparing options from a range of energy providers side-by-side.
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Follow a few easy steps online to switch to a new energy deal that suits you and your budget.
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A guide to electricity & gas
Updated February 5, 2024
Expert tips for comparing energy plans
Our energy expert, Meredith O’Brien, has some top tips on helping you search for a suitable energy plan.
Meredith O'Brien
Head of Energy
Compare electricity and gas separately
Although many providers can offer bundled packages, you’ll often find better deals by comparing plans separately.
Keep your energy bills handy
Have your electricity and/or gas bill details handy so you can input the details into our comparison tool. This provides an estimate based on your historical usage and factors in additional electricity tariffs, if these apply to your property.
Switching is easy
Switching providers does not disrupt your energy supply. It can take as little as two business days to be transferred to a new electricity provider. For gas, it can take up to 90 days as it takes effect from your next billing cycle.
Find out more about energy
Can I switch energy providers?
You can typically compare energy plans for your postcode if you live in:
- South East Queensland
- New South Wales
- The ACT
- South Australia
- Victoria.
If you live in the Northern Territory or Tasmania, you may have little choice in your plan options between providers. Note that we compare gas, but not electricity, in some areas in regional Queensland and Western Australia.
If you live outside of these areas, your state or territory government will set prices for your electricity instead of a provider. Our service doesn’t feature plans in these areas.
Electricity providers in Australia
We compare several of the most reputable electricity retailers in Australia. Depending on your location and our service’s plan availability, you can compare electricity plans from some of the providers listed below.
Note: We don’t compare energy products from all providers on this list as we do not compare all brands in the market, or all products offered by all brands. Information about the partners we currently compare is available here.
Australian electricity providers
- 1st Energy
- ActewAGL
- AGL
- Alinta Energy
- Amber Electric
- Arcline by RACV – Energy
- Blue NRG
- CovaU Energy
- Diamond Energy
- Dodo Power and Gas
- Energy Locals
- EnergyAustralia
- GloBird Energy
- Kogan Energy
- Lumo Energy
- Momentum Energy
- Nectr
- Origin Energy
- OVO Energy
- Powershop
- Radian Energy
- ReAmped Energy
- Red Energy
- Simply Energy
- Sumo
- Tango Energy
- The People’s Grid
- ZEN Energy
Accurate as of 1 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria.
Dual fuel providers in Australia
Some energy retailers may offer both gas and electricity (sometimes called dual fuel plans). Refer to the energy provider list below to understand which providers offer both electricity and gas. Even if the same provider offers both gas and electricity, you’ll receive a separate bill for each.
You may be able to compare plans from some of these providers, depending on where you live and the availability in your area. Please note that we don’t compare energy products from all providers on this list as we do not compare all brands in the market, or all products offered by all brands. Information about the partners we currently compare is available here.
| Electricity and Gas Retailers | States |
|---|---|
| 1st Energy | Victoria |
| ActewAGL | ACT |
| AGL | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| Alinta Energy | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| CovaU Energy | New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| Dodo Power & Gas | New South Wales, Victoria |
| EnergyAustralia | New South Wales, ACT, South Australia, Victoria |
| GloBird Energy | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| Kogan Energy | Victoria |
| Lumo Energy | South Australia, Victoria |
| Momentum Energy | Victoria |
| Origin Energy | New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| Powershop | New South Wales, Victoria |
| Red Energy | New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria |
| Simply Energy | New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria |
| Sumo | New South Wales, Victoria |
| Tango Energy | Victoria |
| The information provided above is accurate as of 27 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. | |
Comparing energy plans
How do you compare energy plans?
To compare electricity and gas plans with ease, simply use our free price comparison tool to enter details like:
- Whether you want electricity, gas or a combined plan
- If you want a plan for your home
- Your home’s postcode or suburb
- If you have solar power or you’re considering solar panels.
We’ll also ask you a few questions to help you look for great-value plans in minutes. If you live in an area where you can’t choose your own energy plan, you may have limited options available. Find out more about whether you can switch providers.
Why compare energy plans?
By comparing your electricity and gas plans at least once a year, you could make sure you’re not paying more than you need to for energy.
Your current provider may not have the best available offer because:
- Your discount period has expired
- You’ve rolled over to a default offer
- Your provider may have increased their energy rates
- Your energy needs may be better suited to a different tariff
- Your provider withdrew from the energy market, and you were automatically placed with a different provider.
Make an informed choice for your household’s energy usage by comparing energy providers (retailers) and options with our service. Review and compare discounts, sign up credits or perks available and look at your estimated monthly, quarterly or yearly energy cost.
These are some of the benefits of comparing your energy options:
- Take advantage of a better plan. Your current energy plan may not feature discounts or lower usage rates. Or you may have rolled over to a default offer, which is the maximum price you can be charged for electricity when discounts have expired.
- See if there’s a better price available. Your energy bill includes supply and usage charges, which vary between providers. By comparing, you can look to see whether another provider offers more competitive rates or sign-up credits.
- Review a range of plan discounts. Discounts can lower your energy bill for a set period; when comparing, always check if you need to meet criteria or conditions to receive the offer.
Simply put, comparing your options using our free energy comparison service can help you to find a cheaper energy provider and energy plan.
What to consider when comparing energy plans
To track down a cheaper electricity and gas plan, there are certain energy plan features you should consider, including:
- The benefit period (e.g. your bill may include a discount for 12-24 months)
- Applicable discounts and other perks
- New customer sign up credit(s) which are offset against your bill
- Daily supply charge (cents per day)
- Usage charges (cents per kilowatt-hours)
- Fees (e.g. for paper bills)
- Estimated monthly, quarterly or annual energy costs
Energy charges and tariffs
Types of charges
There are two types of energy charges that make up your electricity bill:
- Supply charges. Also called a fixed or service charge, it’s the cost of transporting energy to your property and staying connected to the network.
- Usage charges. The price your provider charges you for the energy you use.
Energy distributors charge the providers for electricity and gas supply. Providers then determine the supply and usage charges and apply them to your energy plan.
Electricity tariffs
Tariffs are the way your energy provider charges you for your electricity, which is based on how your electricity has been wired in your home. There are several different tariffs that affect your energy bill:
Singe rate tariff
This tariff charges you the same rate for your energy use, no matter the time of day.
Time of use tariff
Time of use means your electricity usage is more or less expensive at different times of the day or night, divided into peak, off-peak and shoulder periods.
Controlled load tariff
A controlled load tariff may be used for particular appliances, such as underfloor heating, that have their own meter. Your provider charges a specific rate for the energy that appliance uses.
Gas tariffs
The rate you’re charged for gas can depend on what type of tariff you’re on. Gas tariffs may include:
Flat rate tariff
With this tariff, you’ll be charged the same rate for your gas usage at all times of the day.
Block rate tariff
This rate is charged based on your gas usage. For example, you may pay a singular rate for the first ‘block’, then a second rate if you exceed that amount.
Seasonal tariff
As you typically use gas more in winter, you may pay a higher seasonal tariff during this period, then a lower rate in summer.
Average electricity price in Australia
The average electricity cost in Australia varies substantially, depending on which state or territory you live.
To learn more about how much electricity might cost you, check out our state and territory pages for more in-depth information:
- The ACT
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- South East Queensland
- Victoria.
Note that if you live in regional Queensland, the Northern Territory, Tasmania or Western Australia, you’re limited or unable to choose an electricity provider on our comparison site.
Energy concessions and rebate
Concessions and rebate
Different states and territories offer energy concessions for cardholders. These concessions can help reduce the amount you pay for your electricity and gas. Find out more about energy concessions and senior energy rebates.
Discounts vs energy rates
Pricing is one of the key differentiators between choosing one energy plan over another. That said, looking at just one feature (like a discount) may not be the answer to finding the cheapest energy deal available that is most suitable to your needs.
To determine the best-value plan for your household, consider:
- The usage and supply charges
- If there’s a discount period or incentives
- If you meet the discount conditions (e.g. pay by direct debit or eBills)
- Are there any exit fees
- What tariffs are available to you
Renewable energy
Solar energy
If you have a solar (PV) system and a smart meter, your state or territory government or certain energy providers may credit your energy bill for any solar energy you feed back into the supply grid. This payment is known as a solar feed-in tariff.
If you don’t have solar power, you may be able to install solar panels at your home or business and eligible customers may receive a solar rebate from the government. This rebate will help subsidise the solar panels and/or solar battery.
Does Compare the Market offer renewable energy plans?
Some providers on our service may automatically offer plans that feature a portion of renewable energy or contribute to lowering emissions on your behalf. If you’re interested in renewable energy plans, some providers may:
- Offer 10% GreenPower as standard
- Require you to sign up for a renewable energy program at an extra cost.
Renewable energy programs can make your plan carbon neutral (by neutralising the carbon emissions caused by your energy usage). Compare renewable energy options using our energy comparison service.
Meet our Head of Energy, Meredith O’Brien
As the Head of Energy at Compare the Market, Meredith O’Brien believes in educating Australian customers about the everchanging gas and electricity market so they can adjust their energy usage habits and get the most out of their energy plans.
Meredith has six years within the energy industry, following 15 years of experience in financial services and is currently studying a Master of Business Administration. Meredith is a dedicated customer advocate who is passionate about empowering Australians to find the right products to suit their needs by removing the confusion from comparing.
