Compare electricity and gas in Queensland

If it’s been a while since you’ve compared electricity or gas plans in South East Queensland, you could be paying too much for energy.

Here are just a few reasons to compare QLD energy providers:

• Take advantage of market offers. SE Queenslanders can compare market offers, which can include discounts or cheaper usage rates on your electricity or gas. This can lead to a significant saving for some households.
• Save with time of use tariffs. Smart meters are available in QLD, which allows some customers to opt for a time of use tariff. These account for the time of day you’re using electricity and may charge you less during quiet, low-demand periods.
• Enjoy an energy discount. If you haven’t compared energy plans in a while or you moved house and never signed up for a plan, your discounts or incentives may have expired or you may be on a plan that never offered them, such as your retailer’s default or standing offer.

The easiest way to see if there’s a better (and potentially cheaper) energy plan for your home is to compare. You can get started today with our free energy comparison service!

The energy market in Queensland works differently depending on where you live.

South East Queensland (SEQ)

If you live in SEQ, the most important things to know about the energy market are:

• You may be in the deregulated zone, meaning you have the option to choose between competitive market offers.
• The Default Market Offer (DMO) guides these market offers and acts as a benchmark reference price for all other electricity market offers.
• A standing offer is the offer you’re automatically put on if you’ve moved into a new premises but haven’t yet contacted a retailer to supply your energy.
• A standing offer is usually not as competitive as a market offer, as it will be the most expensive plan a retailer can charge you.

The DMO also applies in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT. Meanwhile, Victoria has its own version of the DMO, known as the Victorian Default Offer.

Regional Queensland

If you live in regional Queensland, energy works differently. It’s important to understand that:

• Electricity prices in regional Queensland are regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) – meaning you can’t choose your electricity retailer.
• Electricity is regulated because it costs a lot more for providers to service regional areas, so regulating prices ensures customers won’t be overcharged.
• Regional Queenslanders may have some options with gas market offers.

There are two types of gas available in Queensland:

• Reticulated natural gas, which is distributed by pipelines
• Liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is available for purchase by the bottle.

Not all homes in QLD have access to gas by pipeline (reticulated natural gas); if you’re not eligible, you can use LPG. With LPG, you’ll have to order bottles when you run out. Bottles are usually 45kg each and a licensed gas fitter will deliver them to your home.

We don’t currently offer LPG through our comparison service. However, you can compare providers and plans for natural gas through our gas comparison service. It’s easy to compare the prices and rates and, best of all, it’s free!

Distributors supply energy to your home, while your QLD energy provider will send you your bill. QLD electricity distributors are:

• Energex (SEQ)
• Ergon Energy (regional QLD)
• Essential Energy (parts of southern QLD)

QLD gas distributors are:

• AllGas Energy
• Australian Gas Networks

You can see which electricity providers in QLD retail energy by reviewing the list below.

N.B. Compare the Market does not compare energy products from all retailers 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.

• 1st Energy
• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU Energy
• Diamond Energy
• Dodo Power and Gas
• Energy Locals
• EnergyAustralia
• GloBird Energy
• Kogan Energy
• Momentum Energy
• Nectr
• Origin Energy
• OVO Energy
• Powershop
• Radian Energy
• ReAmped Energy
• Red Energy
• Simply Energy
• Sumo
• Tango Energy

The information provided above is based in the postcodes of 4000, 4217 and 4558 and is accurate as of 1 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

The following providers can offer both electricity and gas. Please note that providers may or may not offer a combined package and billing may fall on separate dates and separate agreements/contracts. This list may not include all providers due to the limited postcodes used (4000, 4217 and 4558).

Here’s a list of electricity and gas providers in QLD:

• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU
• GloBird Energy
• Origin Energy
• Red Energy

The information provided above is accurate as of 27 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

If you live in Brisbane, the table below can help you compare Queensland electricity providers to find the cheapest electricity plan that suits your needs.

The prices and information provided above are based on a house with two to three adults with no solar panels or pool and in the postcode of 4000 and are accurate as of 1 February 2023 Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Plans and prices are subject to change and may have conditions or eligibility requirements.

If you live on the Gold Coast, see our list of cheapest prices and compare Queensland electricity providers on the Gold Coast to search for an electricity deal for you.

The prices and information provided above are based on a house with two to three adults with no solar panels or pool and in the postcode of 4217 and are accurate as of 1 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Plans and prices are subject to change and may have conditions or eligibility requirements.

If you are living on the Sunshine Coast, you can compare a range of electricity providers. See our list of cheapest electricity prices below.

The prices and information provided above are based on a house with two to three adults with no solar panels or pool and in the postcode of 4558 and are accurate as of 1 February 2023. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Plans and prices are subject to change and may have conditions or eligibility requirements.

In Queensland, energy costs are calculated using two different charges:

• A fixed daily supply charge (cents per day) to maintain infrastructure and supply power to your home.
• A usage rate based on kilowatts per hour (kWh) for electricity and megajoules (MJ) for natural gas.

Usage rates may be charged at a single standard rate. If you have a smart meter, though, you may be able to take advantage of variable rates (i.e. time-of-use tariffs), which charge you depending on what time of the day you use your energy. Or you could combine your single rate tariff with a controlled load tariff for your high energy-usage appliances.

Where you live in Queensland determines which tariffs are available to you. If you live in regional QLD, you may have a limited choice of tariffs, while those in South East Queensland may have more options. However, keep in mind that the names may vary between QLD electricity providers.

Compare the Market’s survey of 1,003 Australian adults on any tariff in April 2023 found that the average quarterly electricity bill for Queenslanders is $336.60.¹ This is higher than the national average quarterly electricity bill of $308.40, as southern states like NSW or VIC use more gas for heating, cooking and hot water. Keep in mind that the number of people in your home, energy habits, tariffs and provider may affect your bill. Energy bills tend to vary significantly between households.

If you’re a residential customer in South East Queensland, there may be opportunities to save by switching to a new electricity plan. According to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), you could save significantly by switching from the DMO to the lowest market offer available.²

Of course, the actual amount you could save can vary, so always ensure you understand the terms of the plans you’re comparing.

You can compare electricity providers in QLD to search for a great value plan that suits your budget and energy needs.

The Queensland Government offers electricity and gas rebates to help eligible residents lower their overall cost of living. Most rebates are available to those who have at least one of the below:

• Queensland Seniors Card
• Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card
• Services Australia Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (and receive the War Widow/er Pension or special rate TPI Pension).

Queensland also offers an annual cost of living rebate for all households that’s applied to your electricity bill. Find a full list of QLD concessions and rebates here.