What is a controlled load?

New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Tasmania (TAS) offer two options for controlled load tariffs.

In NSW, these tariffs are:

• Controlled load 1
• Controlled load 2

In QLD, they are:

• Tariff 31
• Tariff 33

In TAS, the controlled load tariffs are:

• Tariff 61
• Tariff 63

Controlled load 1, tariff 31 and tariff 63 usage is generally available for a few hours each day (e.g. six hours, usually overnight), and tends to be cheaper than general electricity usage around the rest of the household.

However, controlled load 2, tariff 33 and tariff 61 are generally available for a longer period overnight as well as a couple more hours during the day. In turn, they’re slightly more expensive than the other tariffs.

Other states and territories that offer controlled load electricity (e.g., Victoria, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory) may only have the one controlled load tariff available. Remember that a controlled load tariff may be called something different in your state, like ‘dedicated circuit’ or ‘economy-tariff’.

Controlled load tariffs are only suitable for certain appliances. If you have large appliances that draw considerable amounts of energy at the same time every day (like hot water systems and pool pumps), you could stand to benefit from a controlled load tariff.

If you don’t have these appliances, a controlled load isn’t right for you. It isn’t designed for large amounts of electricity usage, like those used by multiple appliances during peak times.

If you find you have high energy use during certain times of the day (but not from controlled load appliances), you could look into a time-of-use or demand tariff. A time-of-use tariff charges you differently for electricity depending the times of day you use it. Conversely, a demand tariff applies a surcharge to your peak electricity usage during a designated peak electricity demand period in order to discourage using electricity bills (which may result in cheaper electricity bills).

Depending on what tariff you want, consider speaking to your provider as your current meter may not be able to support it.

If your appliance doesn’t have its own meter, you may need to pay to get one installed or have an electrician reconfigure your current meter. Before making any decisions, be sure to contact your provider first to determine whether these options are available to you.

For an appliance already on its own meter, you’re likely to already have a separate controlled load tariff. Still, there’s no reason why you can’t switch providers for a better deal! To see if you’re on a great controlled load tariff, simply check your bill and compare between energy providers.

The Victoria State Government offers a concession specifically for controlled load electricity bills. To access this concession, you will need to hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card and meet the other eligibility requirements.

Only households with dual-element electricity (a two-thermostat system in which the upper thermostat heats the water to a determined temperature before the lower heats to the final temperature) or smart meters (for hot water and slab heating) are eligible for the 13% discount.¹

Of course, energy rebates and concessions aimed at assisting households with electricity costs are available from every state and territory government; they just might not be specifically for your controlled load bill. If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, reaching out to your energy provider (who usually arranges the concessions for you) is the best way to move forward. However, if you live in SA, you will need to apply directly with the Australian Department of Human Services (DHS) for any energy concessions.²

Electricity tariffs are how much your household or business is charged for your electricity usage. It comprises of the daily supply charge (the cost to deliver the electricity to your property) and the usage charge (how much electricity you use).

Keep in mind, the daily supply charge may apply per meter depending on your retailer, so by having a controlled load you may be subject to an additional charge.

Solar feed-in tariffs are only applicable if you have solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on the roof of your home. Feed-in tariffs allow you to earn credit toward your electricity bill by sending your surplus solar energy back to the electricity grid.

Most providers can set their own rates for feed-in tariffs. The only exception is Victoria; which has a minimum flat rate feed-in tariff and two time-varying feed-in tariff options. Therefore, it can be worth shopping around to find the most suitable option for you. If you’re unsure which provider would best suit you, you can use our free comparison tool to compare tariffs, usage rates and more.

Even if you don’t have underfloor heating, pool pumps or other appliances that have high energy usage, you can still take advantage of peak, off-peak and shoulder times through a time-of-use tariff.

If you have this tariff (which generally requires a smart meter), your electricity usage will be measured and charged according to the time of day you consume it.

Usage during peak periods (e.g. mornings and evenings on weekdays for certain tariffs) will cost you more than usage during off-peak (e.g. overnight or during the day) or shoulder (between the peak and off-peak), with off-peak usage costing you the least of the three.

If they’re available, peak, off-peak and shoulder times will vary between providers.