To help you find a great-value plan, we’ve compiled a guide that details what you should know about the changeover process before switching energy providers.
Residents in the following Australian regions can choose their electricity and gas suppliers:*
Some Western Australian (WA) residents can choose their gas provider if they live within the Perth metropolitan area. Tasmanians and those in the Northern Territory (NT) can choose between providers, but options are limited.
*Please note that the information provided on this page is only applicable to National Electricity Market (NEM) states and territories (i.e. NSW, QLD, ACT, SA, VIC and TAS).
Residents in the below states and territories can’t change their electricity provider due to current regulations:
There are many benefits for those who switch energy providers at the right time. Moving homes is a common reason for changing providers, as it serves as a timely reminder to assess your current utility costs and discover what other options are available to you. However, if you’re not moving house, there may still be benefits to moving away from your current provider. For example, you might be interested in:
Comparing energy providers to find competitive pricing is an especially valid reason if your existing service becomes too expensive for your household budget. If your gas or electricity bill is rising, there may be a better energy deal available with another provider that offers discounts, perks or other incentives to keep costs down.
Perhaps you’d like to reduce your carbon footprint and use renewable energy or add some green energy with your existing provider.
You may want a plan that doesn’t penalise you for terminating early or making changes, or a plan that allows you to lock in your rates for a set period.
If you’re installing solar panels, you can add a feed-in tariff or compare different tariffs before changing electricity providers if you already have them.
Looking for great customer service for your electricity or gas provider could be another reason you would change.
If you struggle to keep track of your bills, having a single supplier can help you keep on top of your gas and electricity bills. While they are billed separately, bundling your utilities can lead to discounts from the provider and the simplicity of only dealing with a single supplier.
Depending on which Australian state or territory you reside in, you may have different options when switching energy suppliers.
Switching to a new electricity provider now takes just two business days, rather than up to three months like it used to take for the switching process in the past. This means you could take advantage of new electricity prices, discounts and perks quicker and start paying less for the electricity you consume. However, switching gas providers can still take up to 90 days due to meter reading schedules.
If you have different providers for your gas and electricity supply, your energy accounts may be transferred on different dates unless you or your provider requests a special meter read. Please note that your new provider will handle all communication with your current energy provider.
You’ll still receive your usual energy supply while switching energy providers. You’ll also receive a final bill from your previous provider for the period before the new provider took over.
Most energy contracts differ slightly between providers and most of them come as a plan. Some plans may have renewable energy options built-in, while others may offer a discount or options to pay at different intervals.
Read through and compare each plan’s terms and conditions to understand the details and differences. Here are some basic points to look out for when choosing a contract:
It costs nothing to compare a range of energy providers through our free comparison tool. However, your current energy provider may require an exit fee if it’s included in the terms and conditions of your contract. If you’re subject to such penalties, you’ll need to weigh up the benefits of the savings compared to the costs of prematurely ending your contract term.
In some circumstances, you may save more money by waiting until your contract ends and then switching energy providers.
You won’t need to pay a connection fee when you switch energy companies unless you’re moving. If you are moving, your new provider charges a connection fee, they will include it in your first bill.
Remember: Any cancellation after the plan’s cooling-off period (typically 10 business days) may incur a termination fee from the energy provider if it’s stipulated in your contract.
Before deciding to switch energy suppliers, it’s worth reviewing your existing agreement and its terms and conditions, as well as contacting your current electricity provider for more information about any restrictions or penalties that may apply.
After you’ve signed up for a new energy provider, you’ll have a cooling-off period to cancel the agreement without incurring any fees or penalties. This period begins the day after you receive your welcome pack sent to you by your new provider, and typically runs for 10 business days. Simply contact your new provider within this period to cancel your plan.
Switching energy providers is a simple process. However, there are certain factors you must consider before switching. For instance, you may find it better to switch from your current contract before it’s renewed to avoid possibly renewing to a higher price with your current provider.
Once you click ‘Get Prices’, you’ll be taken to our comparison page that shows any plans that apply to your energy needs, based on the information you provided.
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is responsible for making and revising the rules that govern the retail sale of electricity and natural gas supply in Australia. Under national electricity and gas laws, the AEMC is responsible for developing Australia’s energy markets to ensure consistency and transparency across the energy sector.
For instance, energy providers must indicate whether other retail options are available to their customers. They must also consider any hardships or problems that may affect their customers’ ability to pay, which is based on the idea that energy is a basic need for Australians everywhere.
In all states and territories in Australia, there are energy ombudsmen who can deal with complaints about matters relating to energy supplies without taking them to court. The Australian Energy Regulator also has a dispute resolution system in place for matters related to you and your energy supply contracts.
In today’s energy market, providers compete with each other to gain and retain your business. They may advertise conditional discounts and loyalty programs to keep you with them and not compare quotes with services offered elsewhere. Special deals can include meals at selected restaurants, cut-price movie tickets and even magazine subscriptions if you choose them for a gas or electricity plan.
You’ll need to weigh up any special promotions and discounts your energy provider offers with other rates in the market. If you don’t need these bonuses, it’s possible you could still find a better deal on energy by comparing.
Feeling more confident to see if you can switch to a great deal on your energy plan? Find out if you’re spending too much for your electricity and gas by comparing energy providers in minutes. Best of all, our service is free and saves you from searching through multiple websites.
