“My wife and I use Compare the Market for all our household expenses, and we’re in good company - over the years, they’ve helped millions of Australians find a better deal.”
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. Make an informed choice for your household’s energy usage by comparing energy providers (retailers) and options with our service. Review and compare discounts or perks available and look at your estimated monthly, quarterly or yearly energy cost.
Simply put, comparing your options can help you to find a cheaper energy provider and energy plan.
The benefits of comparing your energy options:
See the benefit yourself with our free energy comparison service.
Save time while you look for a better deal. Easily compare plans from a wide range of energy retailers in Australia. Learn more
Our call centre is open 7 days per week and is staffed by specialists who are ready to help you get connected. Call us before 12pm AEDT (Mon-Fri) to connect electricity on the same business day or next business day if you call after noon.
We’ve made it simple to review and buy energy plans through our service. Comparing is easy and so is signing up to a plan!
Our comparison service is 100% free to use. If you find a plan you like, we'll help you switch in as little as two business days. Learn more
Electricity transfers no longer take up to three months as they did in the past. Instead, transfers can now occur in as little as two business days. Some providers will let you backdate your new electricity plan to your last meter reading, meaning you could pay the lower price of your new plan for electricity you’ve already used.
Natural gas accounts for more than a quarter (27%) of Australia’s energy consumption.1 However, different providers can charge different prices for the same gas supply. Let us show you how to shop around for the right plan for you (and possibly save on future bills).
Despite the misconception, energy providers don't automatically connect gas and electricity at your new home. Always give at least three business days’ notice so your power is available. But remember, calling us on 1800 990 003 is the best way to lock in same-day or next business day electricity connections.
Deregulation removes the government’s control over pricing in the retail energy market. However, energy remains one of the most highly controlled industries with significant government intervention. Learn more about the areas in Australia that have deregulated energy markets.
It's important to carefully review your energy plan information to know what you're signing up for and if this suits your needs and budget. However, always compare things like payment frequencies, payment options and how you can control and access your account, as these factors may impact your decision.
Understanding how to read your energy bill is important, as it’s where you’ll find your rates, charges, usage information and details about your energy provider and distributor.
To compare electricity and gas plans with ease, simply enter your details into our free comparison tool, like:
We’ll also ask you a few details 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 below.
To track down a cheaper electricity and gas plan, there are certain energy plan features you should consider, including:
What’s considered the best energy plan will vary between households or small businesses. However, the most suitable plan is one that matches your energy needs, offers attractive contract terms (e.g. discounts and other perks) and is cost-effective.
We aim to make your search for the best energy plan easier. By using our helpful online tool to compare electricity and gas plans, you’ll be able to compare a range of energy plans to see if you can find great value for your needs.
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, please select our state and territory pages for more in-depth information:
Please note: If you live in regional Queensland, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia, you are limited or unable to choose an electricity provider on our site. See why.
It’s easy to compare electricity and gas plans with us!
We compare several of the most reputable electricity providers in Australia. Depending on your location and our service’s plan availability, you can compare electricity plans from some of the providers listed below.
Remember 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.
Australian electricity providers:
Accurate as of 20 October 2021. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. We don’t compare all providers in the market, and therefore don’t compare all providers listed above. Learn more about the partners we compare.
Compare electricity plans using our simple online tool.
Some energy providers may offer gas and electricity (sometimes called dual fuel plans) and offer an added incentive to sign up both to the one provider. However, some only offer the two products separately, so it’s best to shop around if you have both electricity and natural gas at your property. 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 | Australian Capital Territory |
| AGL | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Alinta Energy | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| CovaU | New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Discover Energy | Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Dodo Power & Gas | New South Wales and Victoria |
| EnergyAustralia | New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria |
| Globird Energy | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Kogan Energy | Victoria |
| Lumo Energy | Victoria |
| Momentum Energy | Victoria |
| Origin Energy | New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Powershop | New South Wales and Victoria |
| Red Energy | New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria |
| Simply Energy | New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria |
| Sumo | New South Wales and Victoria |
| Tango Energy | Victoria |
* The information provided above is accurate as of 25 October 2021. Data sourced from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria.
Using our online tool, you can compare gas and electricity plans.
If you’re able to purchase your gas and electricity with one provider, you may receive a further discount. However, by shopping around to compare separate electricity and gas plans, you’ll ensure you find a price point that you’re comfortable paying – regardless of the brand.
You can review a range of energy plans using our online tool to compare electricity and gas.
Don’t fret! When switching energy providers, we’ll transfer your existing account from your current provider to your new one without any disruption to your service. No physical changes are made (such as cabling, pipes or meters), meaning the quality and reliability of your supply remains the same.
Electricity transfers can occur within two business days.
Some providers allow you to backdate your new electricity plan to your last meter reading, meaning you could pay the lower price of your new plan for electricity you’ve already used. If you have a traditional basic meter, which is read quarterly, this could be up to 65 business days in the past. If you have a smart meter, this could be up to 10 business days in the past. These retrospective transfers aren’t an option with all electricity providers, so always check before switching.
For gas, it can still take up to three months to switch to a new plan, but there will be no interruption to your supply.
Remember: while your actual electricity or gas supply is the same regardless of your provider, most providers will have different pricing, levels of customer service and terms of use. That’s why comparing your options puts the power back in your hands.
You can typically compare energy plans for your postcode if you live in South East Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia or Victoria. You may have little choice in your plan options between providers in the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
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.
Please note that we offer gas plans in some areas in regional Queensland and Western Australia.
To check if switching energy providers is an option for you, use our electricity and gas comparison service. Just enter a few details about your property and energy usage to compare electricity and gas plans to search for great value.
A supply charge (also called a fixed or service charge) is the cost of transporting energy to your property and staying connected to the network. The usage charge is the price your provider charges you for the energy you use.
Energy distributors (who provide you with your electricity or gas via power poles, pipes etc.) charge the providers for electricity and gas supply. Providers then determine the supply and usage charges and apply them to your energy plan.
Using our online comparison service, you can compare electricity and gas plans from various providers.
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 whole plan. This includes its usage and supply charges, discounts and other perks. Carefully checking the latter is especially important, as providers may only offer discounts and other benefits for a period (e.g. 12 months), or only if you meet their conditions (e.g. pay by direct debit or eBills).
You should also look up reviews to see which providers have the best customer service and compare contract terms, exit fees, usage charges and market offers (energy plans with discounts or other perks). You can find a lot of this detail in our comparison service when you complete a quote.
Use our online tool to compare electricity and gas options.
Tariffs are the way your energy provider charges you for your electricity. Specifically, you can use controlled load tariffs for certain appliances that often use a lot of energy – like underfloor heating or electric hot water systems.
If you have a controlled load tariff for particular appliances, your provider charges a specific rate for the energy that appliance uses. These appliances may have their own meter. Learn more about controlled load tariffs.
Peak and off-peak tariffs are also known as time-of-use tariffs. Time-of-use means your electricity usage is more expensive or cheaper at different times of the day and night, or during other times of the year such as Summer or Winter. These times are known as peak, off-peak and (in some states) shoulder periods. Find out more about peak and off-peak tariffs.
Season tariffs are those which charge different rates for gas, depending on the time of the year. In most cases, rates are higher in Winter months, when gas usage is higher.
Block tariffs charge you different prices based on how much electricity or gas you use. For example, you may be charged a specific price for the first amount of electricity or gas you use. When you exceed this amount (or block), you’d then be charged a new rate. Block tariffs are common for most gas plans.
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.
If you install solar panels at your home or business, you may be able to receive a rebate from the government if you’re eligible. This rebate will help subsidise the solar panels. Find out more about the solar rebate.
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. Find out more about how solar feed-in tariffs work.
Some providers on our service may automatically offer plans that feature a portion of renewable energy or contribute to lowering emissions on your behalf. You may also find a plan that offers 10% GreenPower as standard (GreenPower is an Australian Government-accredited renewable energy program). Other providers may require you to sign up for these renewable energy programs at an extra cost so they can make your plan carbon neutral (by neutralising the carbon emissions caused by your energy usage).
Don’t forget: the types of plans available to you will vary between providers and your property.
Wondering where your electricity supply comes from? Or are you considering if you could turn to other alternatives like solar or hydro? Read more about the sources of electricity.
1The Hon Angus Taylor MP – ‘2021 Australian energy statistics’ – Accessed 07/12/2021
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.
