Compare energy providers in South Australia

If you haven’t compared electricity or gas plans in South Australia, you could be paying more than you need to for energy.

Here are just a few reasons to compare gas and electricity retailers (also known as energy providers) in SA:

1. Take advantage of market offers. SA households can compare market offers, which can include incentives, discounts or cheaper usage rates for the energy you use. By comparing your current plan against others on the market, you’ll know whether it’s time to switch providers.
2. Make the most of available tariffs. Smart meters are installed in many SA homes, allowing some customers to opt-in for time of use tariffs. These tariffs charge you less during quiet, low-demand periods and more when electricity is in high demand.
3. Weigh up your options. Not getting great value from your current energy plan? You can compare various options from retailers on our panel to see if you can get a better deal.

You are free to switch electricity and gas providers in South Australia; this means you could pay less for energy if you opt for a different provider or take advantage of other deals.

Always check the following if you’re planning on finding a new provider:

• Whether there are any exit fees you could be charged if you leave your current provider.
• Your current rate and usage and if you’ll benefit by switching to a different provider.
• If you’ll be on a variable rate (no lock-in contract) or a fixed rate (potential lock-in contract term) with your new provider.
• If there any deals or benefits you can take advantage of if you switch.

South Australia generates electricity using renewable and non-renewable sources. The National Energy Market facilitates the sale of this energy from generators to electricity providers, who then sell it to you as the customer.¹

Over a third of homes in SA are equipped with rooftop solar panels.² With solar photovoltaic (solar PV) systems, SA residents can take advantage of solar feed-in tariffs. Feed-in tariffs allow you to sell unused solar power you’ve generated back to the grid, which appears as a credit on your energy bill.

SA’s energy market has been deregulated since 2013,³ meaning you can compare and choose electricity and gas plans from different retailers. To see some options available, you can get a quote with our free energy comparison service.

In South Australia, SA Power Networks is the main electricity distributor, while Australian Gas Networks (AGN) is the primary gas distributor.

Distributors are responsible for transmitting gas and electricity to your home by maintaining pipes, meters, powerlines and poles. They don’t set the prices you pay; they charge providers for the electricity or gas service. Then, providers determine the supply and usage charges that apply to you as a customer.

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

Compare the Market does not 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.

• 1st Energy
• AGL
• Amber Electric
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU Energy
• Diamond Energy
• Dodo
• EnergyAustralia
• Energy Locals
• ENGIE
• Future Power
• GloBird Energy
• iO Energy
• Kogan Energy
• Lumo Energy
• Momentum Energy
• Nectr
• Origin Energy
• Ovo Energy
• Pacific Blue
• Powershop
• RAA Energy
• Red Energy
• Sumo
• Tango Energy
• Zen Energy

The information provided above is based in the postcode of 5000 and is accurate as of 3 December 2024. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

If you’re looking for energy companies that offer both electricity and gas in Adelaide, we’ve created a list below; however, not all providers may offer both types of energy in every suburb.

It’s important to note that electricity and gas are billed separately, meaning billing may end up on different days.

• AGL
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU
• Discover Energy
• EnergyAustralia
• GloBird Energy
• Lumo Energy (SA)
• Origin Energy
• Red Energy
• Simply Energy

The information provided above is accurate as of 3 December 2024. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

In South Australia, you’ll be charged for electricity through supply charges and usage charges. Supply charges go towards maintaining the network and transporting energy to homes and businesses. Usage charges are what you pay, for the energy you use.

Check out our guide for reading your energy bill to understand what you’ll be charged. Or see the cheapest electricity prices in SA.

The tariff you’re on determines how much you pay for your electricity. Your energy habits may suit a single rate tariff (i.e. a rate that stays the same regardless of when you use electricity), or you could potentially save on your energy bill with a tariff that charges different rates depending on the time of day you use electricity.

As a customer in South Australia, the following electricity tariffs may be available to you:

• Single rate. The single-rate tariff charges a flat rate for energy usage regardless of the level of demand or the time of day. This is generally the most common tariff for SA homes.
• Time of use. Retailers can charge you different rates for electricity depending on the time of day and day of the week. You could potentially lower your bills by implementing energy-saving tips during high demand or peak times and using electricity more in off-peak times. Retailers set these times, and they can vary.
• Controlled load. Metered separately from your main tariff, controlled load tariffs generally offer lower rates for household appliances with high energy demands, such as hot water systems.
• Demand tariffs. With these tariffs, you’re charged extra during periods of high demand. While they may be available, they’re less common for residential customers.

South Australians are charged some of the highest electricity rates in the country.⁴ Numerous factors can affect the cost of electricity in South Australia, including:

• Supply charges
• Usage charges
• Retailer discounts and sign-up credits
• Your plan’s tariff type.

Yes, there are electricity concessions in South Australia available for both electricity and gas. To be eligible, you must:

• Hold a valid concession card, such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Receive eligible Centrelink payments or parenting payments
• Be a resident of the property
• Be an account holder on the electricity or gas bill.

Read more about energy concessions that may be available to eligible SA residents.

There are numerous reasons why your electricity or gas bill in South Australia could be high, so it’s best to contact your energy retailer directly to talk about this. Factors that can contribute to a higher bill include:

• Using more electricity or gas than expected
• The tariff you’re on
• Your discount/benefit period has expired
• Incurring additional charges, such as late fees or unpaid amounts from previous bills
• Appliances ageing and becoming inefficient
• Gas leaks.

Because everyone uses different amounts of electricity at different times and there are various providers across South Australia, there won’t be an average electricity bill that applies to everyone across the state. According to the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC)’s Retail electricity price investigation 2024-27, the regulated benchmark price (using the Default Market Offer) for Adelaide in 2023-24 was $3,374, the highest of any of the recorded cities.⁴

According to the ICRC, the average price for Adelaide residential customers in 2023-24 on a single rate tariff with an annual electricity usage of 6,500 kWh was $3,246. For those on time of use plans, the average electricity cost was $2,871 a year.