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Read our guideIn 2002, Victoria’s energy market became deregulated, which means energy providers can set their own prices and ultimately create a more competitive electricity and gas industry – before this, Victorians could only choose government-set prices.
This is good news! Why? Since the state government established this arrangement, various new energy providers have entered the market. With more players in the market, there’s naturally a higher level of commercial rivalry, which typically results in more competitive energy pricing as providers do everything they can to carve out their space within the sector.
You could save a substantial amount on your power and gas bill by simply comparing electricity and gas plans in Victoria and switching to a provider that satisfies your energy needs, at a cost that’s in line with your utilities budget.
In Victoria, customers will pay a supply charge (daily fee) for their electricity usage, no matter how much they use. On top of this, Victorians will also pay a usage charge, which is applied for each kilowatt per hour (kWh) of electricity that is supplied to their household or business. The more electricity residents use, the greater their usages charges.
A rough formula to calculate electricity costs in Victoria would be: supply charge + (usage charge x usage charge discount) – other discount(s) = bill amount.
These other discounts could consist of payment method discounts (e.g. discount if you pay via direct debit), pay-on-time discounts, bundling discounts, etc.
Electricity providers (those who send you a power bill) set the usage charges based on how much electricity distributors charge at wholesale for electricity. Your retailer’s prices also include their service charge, the distributor’s transmission charges, and the price of generating electricity.
Distributors, not to be confused with providers, are those who supply power to the grid and maintain energy infrastructure (e.g. power lines). Where you live in Victoria will impact the amount you’re charged for your electricity and who your distributor is.
| Electricity distributors | |
| Company | Service areas |
| AusNet Services | Outer northern and eastern suburbs and eastern Victoria |
| Citipower | Melbourne City and inner suburbs |
| Jemena | Northern and north-western suburbs |
| Powercor Australia | Western Victoria and western suburbs |
| United Energy Distribution | Mornington Peninsula and southern suburbs |
| Gas distributors | |
| Company | |
| Australian Gas Networks | |
| Multinet | |
| SP AusNet Gas |
Since Victoria’s energy market became deregulated in 2002, energy providers can offer residents a range of electricity plans with varying tariffs. Depending on your provider, your electricity usage, your meter type and where you live, you may be able to reduce the cost of your electricity in Victoria if you understand how these tariffs and other factors impact on your bill.
Your electricity bill is influenced by a range of factors, including the:
If you choose the right tariff(s) for your usage needs, you could save money on your bill.
A tariff is the pricing structure that you’re charged for your electricity usage. Depending on the type of tariff you have on your energy plan, you could pay a different rate for your energy usage over different times of the day, or perhaps you could pay a flat rate no matter when you use electricity.
Tariffs will vary, depending on the type of meter you have, who your energy distributor is and where you live in Victoria.
There are a number of tariff options that can influence the cost of electricity in Victoria. We’ve broken these down below:
Single rate tariffs in Victoria
A single rate tariff (also known as ‘peak’, ‘flat rate’ and ‘anytime’) is the most basic type of tariff in Victoria and charges you the same rate no matter when you use your power. If you consume a lot of electricity during peak periods (e.g. weeknights), you may find it better to use a single rate tariff.
Block rate tariffs in Victoria
A block rate tariff charges you for your electricity usage in two different block rates. For instance, you’re charged a certain rate for the first portion of electricity you use in a day. Once you exceed this initial portion of energy usage, you are then charged another block rate for all other electricity you use in that day. This second block rate could be slightly higher or lower than your first block rate, depending on your retailer.
Flexible pricing tariff in Victoria
Requiring a remotely-read smart meter, the flexible pricing tariff applies a different usage rate at different times of the day: peak (3pm-9pm weekdays), off-peak (10pm-7am weekdays and 10pm-7am weekend), and shoulder (all other times). Providers charge higher rates during peak demand for electricity, and a lower rate during low demand periods.
| Peak | Shoulder | Off-peak | |
| Hours (local time) | 3pm-9pm weekdays | 7am-3pm and 9pm-10pm weekdays, 7am-10pm weekends | 10pm-7am all days |
| Example summer rates (c/kWh)^ | 12.90 | 13.160 | 7.46 | 8.216 | 3.12 | 3.884 |
| Suitable for the following: | Appliances that don’t require much energy, as you’re charged more for your usage during this time. | A medium level of power usage. Try to avoid using larger appliances, like the washing machine, multiple times until the off-peak period. | Large appliances, like the washing machine and dishwasher. |
| * Electricity retailers can also set the times that different tariffs apply, so be sure to take these times as a guide only. ^ Example summer rates are exclusive of GST. These example rates are wholesale residential rates from the distributors Powercor Australia and Jemena respectively, which appear in their 2018 tariff schedules. These rates should only be taken as a general guide, as they are subject to change. Your electricity retailer can charge different c/kWh to these wholesale rates. | |||
Introduced on 17 September 2013, flexible pricing offers more control over your electricity bill; it encourages consumers to use more electricity during off-peak times in Victoria, instead of periods where there is high demand (peak) and the cost of delivering electricity is highest. It’s important to note that you may not find flexible pricing tariffs a suitable option if your home or business requires a lot of energy during peak periods.
The flexible pricing tariff is an opt-in pricing plan, so the changes may not impact you at all. However, as flexible pricing has the potential to save you money, you may find a compelling reason to switch providers.
The time of use tariff, like flexible pricing, charges you different rates depending on when you consume electricity. However, these types of tariffs in Victoria don’t include a shoulder period between peak (7am-11pm weekdays) and off-peak (all other times). Time of use also features different time periods to flexible pricing, including a larger peak window.
| Peak | Off-peak | |
| Hours (AEST) | 7am-11pm weekdays | All other times |
| Example summer rates (c/kWh)^ | 13.160 | 2.427 |
| Suitable for the following: | Appliances that don’t require much energy, as you’re charged more for your usage during this time. | Appliances that typically require more energy, like the washing machine and dishwasher. |
| * Electricity retailers can also set the times that different tariffs apply, so be sure to take these times as a guide only. ^ Example summer rates are exclusive of GST. These example rates are wholesale residential rates from the distributor Jemena, which appear in their 2018 tariff schedules. These rates should only be taken as a general guide, as they are subject to change. Your electricity retailer can charge different c/kWh to these wholesale rates. | ||
Also known as a two-rate tariff or dedicated circuit, controlled load makes it possible for the retailer to charge you a rate for certain appliances in your home separately from your other appliances. Controlled load tariffs are typically used for electric hot water systems or underfloor heating that often run in off-peak periods or overnight.
Keep in mind that electricity is only provided to these certain appliances during off-peak hours.
Requiring smart meters, demand tariffs charge you based on how much electricity you use at a point in time, instead of your electricity usage over time. So, if you were to run both your dishwasher and washing machine simultaneously, your electricity demand will be increased and you will, therefore, attract a higher usage charge.
Demand tariffs are designed to optimise the energy network in Victoria as a greater number of residents will avoid using high-power appliances in the one go.
Victorians who own solar panels can also receive a feed-in tariff (FiT); this is an amount of money you’ll receive for energy your panels send back into the grid. Retailers must offer Victorians at least the minimum tariff; in 2018-2019, the single rate minimum feed-in is 9.9c/kWh (which applies from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019).
Furthermore, from 1 July 2018, retailers can now offer Victorians the choice between a single rate or time-varying tariff, which means you can receive the same amount back for your energy usage no matter when it’s exported into the grid, or varying feed-in tariffs (between 7.1c/kWh and 29c/kWh in 2018-2019 from 1 July 2018) depending on the time of day electricity is fed back into the grid.
| Single rate minimum feed-in tariff in Victoria 2018-2019 | |
| Cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) | When is this credited? |
| 9.9 | From 1 July 2018, this minimum rate (or more, depending on your retailer) will apply any time of day and any day during the week. |
| Time-varying minimum feed-in tariff in Victoria 2018-2019 | |
| Cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) | When is this credited? |
| 7.1 – 29 | From 1 July 2018, different rates are credited depending on the time of day energy is exported back into the grid. |
The list below showcases a range of Melbourne electricity providers, where Compare the Market’s partners appear in blue. These partners are available to you in our comparison service, depending on your location and eligibility.
From Melbourne and Geelong to Ballarat and the places in between, you can compare electricity providers through our energy comparison service. Simply enter a few details about yourself, including your postcode and your energy usage, to find specific information relevant to your location and energy needs. It takes only minutes, making it easy to find competitive plans from electricity providers in Victoria.
The average weekly electricity expenditure is $28.85 for residents in Victoria’s capital city of Melbourne, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Consumer Price Index. Those who also use gas and other household fuels pay an average bill of $22.27 each week.*
According to the ABS report, the average weekly electricity cost in Melbourne is lower than other capital cities in Australia, with Darwin sitting on the top of the list with $45.50 the average quarterly electricity bill.*
*This average is taken from September quarter 2017.
Did you know you can pay more for the same energy usage as your neighbour, depending on the type of plan you’re on and the retailer you’re with? To demonstrate this, we’ve compiled a list of different providers in the table below to reveal some of the cheapest electricity plans Melbourne has to offer. These annual costs are for a two-person household with average energy consumption.
| Provider | Plan | Annual Cost (inc. discounts) | Price per kWh (cents) | Discount Offered | Discount Benefit Period | Contract Term |
| GloBird Energy | Combo Flat Rate (C1RB without Controlled Load)-CitiPower | $1,300.00 | 20.02 | 8% | None | None |
| Elysian Energy | Resi Market Simple Plan (VCP) – (Single Rate) | $1,320.00 | 18.37 | 0% | None | None |
| Tango Energy Pty Ltd | VIC Home Select | $1,370.00 | 18.7 | 0% | None | None |
| Commander Power & Gas | Residential Market – Single Rate | $1,400.00 | 19.62 | 0% | None | None |
| Momentum Energy | Smile Power Flexi Geelong Cats_C1R | $1,430.00 | 18.93 | 0% | None | None |
| Lumo Energy | Lumo Value 5 | $1,440.00 | 23.23 | 5% | None | None |
| Powershop Australia | Shopper Market Offer | $1,460.00 | 27.53 | 23% | None | None |
| Powerdirect | Powerdirect Residential Rate Saver | $1,480.00 | 20.8 | 0% | 1 year | Ongoing |
| Energy Locals | Online Saver | $1,500.00 | 22.5 | 0% | None | None |
| EnergyAustralia | Total Plan Home – Peak Only | $1,510 | 23.25 | 7% | 1 year | None |
| Sumo | Sumo Select | $1,520 | 23.24 | 6% | None | None |
| Origin Energy | Origin Max Saver – Online Special (Single Rate) | $1,520 | 23.25 | 6% | 1 year | 1 year |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Plus | $1,530 | 21.8 | 0% | None | None |
| 1st Energy | Catch Saver, Residential – Anytime | $1,560 | 22.07 | 0% | None | None |
| Red Energy | Qantas Red Saver – Qantas Frequent Flyer | $1,570 | 25.06 | 10% | None | Ongoing |
| Diamond Energy | Diamond Solar | $1,600 | 25.18 | 7% | None | Ongoing |
| Click Energy | Click Banksia – Peak Only | $1,600 | 23.02 | 0% | None | None |
| amaysim | amaysim electricity classic saver – Peak Only | $1,600 | 23.02 | 0% | None | None |
| QEnergy Limited | Home Your Way Single Rate | $1,620 | 23.25 | 0% | None | None |
| Simply Energy | VIC Simply Plus $50 | $1,620 | 23.24 | 0% | None | None |
| Alinta Energy | Real Deal | $1,620 | 23.25 | 0% | None | None |
| CovaU | Victorian Default Offer Residential CitiPower Single Rate | $1,620 | 23.25 | 0% | None | None |
| Blue NRG Pty Ltd | Blue VDO GD (General Usage) | $1,620 | 23.25 | 0% | None | None |
| People Energy | Residential Peak Anytime | $1,620 | 23.25 | 0% | None | None |
* The prices and information provided above are based on a house with two adults in the postcode of 3000 and are accurate as of September 2019. Data sourced from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. Plans and prices are subject to change.
No matter how big your household or where you reside, we can help you find some of the cheapest electricity rates in Victoria. Simply jump onto our energy comparison service and start searching for the best electricity deals for your postcode in Victoria; as well as discounts, fees, charges and more. Best of all, it only takes minutes to compare.
Those living in Melbourne, like the rest of Victoria, are charged for electricity usage in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for each kWh of electricity they use at their premises. The more electricity you use, the greater the usage charge on your bill. Additionally, customers must also pay an electricity supply charge, which is a daily fee.
Are you ready to find some of the cheapest electricity in Melbourne? Take a look through our table under the title ‘Which electricity provider in Victoria is the cheapest?’ above, which features a range of Melbourne electricity providers and rates. Alternatively, compare energy plans to search for competitive electricity rates in Melbourne that could suit your usage requirements and household budget.
Customers in Geelong attract a daily fixed supply charge to be connected to the electricity grid. They must also pay for their electricity usage in c/kWh, the rate of which is set by their chosen energy retailer. This means the higher their energy usage, the more expensive their energy bill will be – but you may find a better deal with a different electricity provider.
It’s possible to save money on your energy bill by comparing plans. As you’re on the lookout to find the cheapest electricity in Geelong, don’t forget that you must not only compare discounts, but also usage rates, fees and charges to find a plan that suits your needs and budget. Browse through our Geelong electricity pricing table below.
| Provider | Plan | Annual Cost (inc. discounts) | Price per kWh (cents) | Discount Offered | Discount Benefit Period | Contract Term |
| Elysian Energy | Resi Market Simple Plan (VPC) – (Single Rate) | $1,420 | 19.25 | 0% | None | None |
| GloBird Energy | Combo Flat Rate (without controlled load)-PowerCor | $1,420 | 21.56 | 8% | None | None |
| Tango Energy Pty Ltd | VIC Home Select | $1,430 | 19.25 | 0% | None | None |
| Commander Power & Gas | Residential Market – Single Rate | $1,490 | 20.46 | 0% | None | None |
| Dodo Power & Gas | Residential Market – Single Rate | $1,490 | 20.46 | 0% | None | None |
| Momentum Energy | Smile Power Flexi Geelong Cats_D1 | $1,520 | 19.54 | 0% | None | None |
| Lumo Energy | Lumo Value 5 | $1,520 | 24 | 5% | None | Ongoing |
| Powerdirect | Powerdirect Residential Rate Saver | $1,550 | 21.25 | 0% | 1 year | Ongoing |
| EnergyAustralia | Total Plan Home – Peak Only | $1,590 | 24.04 | 7% | 1 year | Ongoing |
| Energy Locals | Online Saver | $1,590 | 23.5 | 0% | None | None |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Plus | $1,600 | 22.25 | 0% | 2 years | Ongoing |
| Sumo | Sumo Select | $1,600 | 24.02 | 6% | None | None |
| Origin Energy | Origin Max Saver – Online Special (Single Rate) | $1,600 | 24.04 | 6% | 1 year | Ongoing |
| Powershop Australia | Shopper Market Offer | $1,610 | 30.14 | 23% | None | None |
| 1st Energy | Catch Saver, Residential – Anytime | $1,640 | 22.81 | 0% | None | Ongoing |
| Red Energy | Qantas Red Saver – Qantas Frequent Flyer | $1,650 | 25.89 | 10% | None | Ongoing |
| Click Energy | Click Banksia – Peak Only | $1,690 | 23.79 | 0% | None | None |
| amaysim | amaysim electricity classic saver – Peak Only | $1,690 | 23.79 | 0% | None | None |
| QEnergy Limited | Home Your Way Single Rate | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | None |
| Simply Energy | VIC Simply Plus $50 | $1,710 | 24.02 | 0% | None | Ongoing |
| Alinta Energy | Real Deal | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | None |
| CovaU | Victorian Default Offer Residential Powercor Single Rate | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | None |
| Blue NRG Pty Ltd | Blue VDO GD (General Usage) | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | Ongoing |
| Diamond Energy Pty Ltd | Diamond Standing Offer – Single Rate | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | None |
| People Energy | Residential Peak Anytime | $1,710 | 24.04 | 0% | None | None |
* The prices and information provided above are based on a house with two adults in the postcode of 3320 and are accurate as of September 2019. Data sourced from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. Plans and prices are subject to change.
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