Are you looking for a solution to your expensive electricity bills? Do you want to find a plan with great usage rates, discounts and features? We’re ready to help. However, to get the most out of your comparison, you first need to understand a little more about your electricity bill.
1. What type of contract are you on?
Do you have a market or regulated (standing) contract? If you’re on a market contract, your provider will typically offer you more competitive electricity usage rates. Your contract will also likely feature discounts and perks; however, these may change at the end of a contract or benefit period (e.g. 12 months).
If you’re on a regulated/standing contract (like a Default Market Offer or a Victorian Default Offer), you’re likely on a plan that doesn’t feature any discounts. These offers may also offer uncompetitive usage rates. You may be on this type of contract if you’ve been on the same plan for more than 12 months.
2. Do you understand which tariff you’re on?
Providers charge different rates (i.e. tariffs) for your electricity usage, sometimes depending on when you use energy.
For example, there are peak and off-peak tariffs. With these tariffs, you have an opportunity to save if your plan charges less during off-peak periods (i.e. when the energy grid isn’t in high demand). Other tariff types include:
3. Are you enjoying any discounts?
Many electricity providers commonly offer ‘pay-on-time’ discounts – these are known as conditional discounts. Some plans also offer further discounts on electricity usage and supply charges or other perks (e.g. movie tickets, game tickets) subject to conditions such as paying by Direct Debit or paying monthly. There’s also been an increase of retailers partnering to make additional or more attractive discount offers if you have memberships.
Providers can also offer unconditional discounts – which aren’t conditional of other factors such as when you pay a bill on time.
When comparing plans, these different benefits may provide real value to you. To help you spot value between plans, providers must now show how their discounted plans compares to the reference price. The reference price is a benchmark electricity price that’s based on your location’s average annual electricity usage and the usage and supply charges of each offer.
Remember: these perks and benefits are typically set for a period (e.g. 12 or 24 months).
While it may seem easier to remain on your current plan, you could find value by comparing your options. You could find a more competitive plan that could save you money, thanks to better usage rates and discounts on offer.
It’s easy to compare electricity plans with our free comparison service. In fact, there are only a few questions you’ll need to answer to start your quote:
You’ll then be able to compare a range of electricity plans and their features easily in one location. You can:
You can currently compare electricity prices in many parts of Australia, including:
Check out the below pages for more information about electricity in your location. Please note that we don’t compare options in these locations:
Please note: We don’t have access to all of the products available in your area: We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all products offered by all brands. At times certain brands or products may not be available or offered to you. From time to time we may have access to better offers that are only available over the phone. Call us to see if you are eligible. Learn more.
When you’re switching electricity providers, your existing account will be transferred from one electricity provider to another without any disruption to your service. No physical changes are made to your service (such as cabling or meters), meaning your service’s quality and reliability remains the same.
Remember: while your actual electricity supply is the same regardless of your provider, most will have different pricing, levels of service and terms of use.
Simply put, deregulation occurs when the government removes its retail price regulation on energy usage so that private companies can set more competitive prices. Deregulation is important because it allows you to pick an electricity provider (retailer) of your choice and take advantage of such competition between prices.
Anyone living in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland, parts of South Australia or the Australian Capital Territory can take advantage of multiple retail suppliers due to energy market deregulation and greater competition in these locations.
Everyone uses power differently, so there’s no one best way to save electricity. However, some simple steps you can try include:
Find out more about ways to save electricity here.
Electricity distributors (who own and supply electricity through wires and poles rather than selling you power) are typically based on where you live. As such, you can’t change them. However, you can change your provider (also known as your retailer). Your provider sets electricity plans and invoices you for the electricity you use.
It’s entirely possible for neighbours or people in the same area to pay different amounts for the same electricity usage – even if it’s coming from the same power grid. Providers price differently based on different meters and tariff configuration. They can also price electricity products differently, based on unique discounts or incentives, which is why it’s important to always compare electricity plans.
Similarly, if a neighbour is on a solar feed-in tariff, where they have solar panels and put solar energy back into the electricity grid, this could also affect the price they pay for electricity usage.
No, you must pay GST (goods and services tax) on all electricity plans in Australia. The GST amount will always be included on your electricity invoice.
We make it easy to compare electricity plans and their features with our free electricity comparison service. Simply enter some details about your usage or the type of electricity plan you’re looking for, and we’ll do the rest.
Why settle for the same plan when there could be a better one out there? Compare electricity plans today.
