AGL vs Energy Australia
AGL and Energy Australia are two of Australia's biggest energy retailers, serving a combined 5.3 million customers across the nation, but even though Energy Australia has only half of AGL's customer base, it still provides some fierce competition.
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To help compare the two providers, we've summed up what plans are on offer from each provider and provided a side-by-side comparison of their cheapest plans in the four major states they both operate in.
Get a price estimate for AGL or Energy Australia
AGL vs Energy Australia: How do they stack up against each other?
At the time of writing, here's how the two provider compared to each other:
| AGL | Energy Australia | |
|---|---|---|
 Incentives | Flybuys, bill credits | Discounted plan fees |
 GreenPower options | 3 | 3 |
 Green Rating | 3.5 stars | 3 stars |
 Price | AGL is cheaper in 2 out of the 4 states we reviewed. | Energy Australia is cheaper in 2 out of the 4 states we reviewed. |
Last checked January 2020
Cost comparison: AGL vs Energy Australia
The list below shows the cheapest plans for each provider. We don't include plans that have special eligibility requirements.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in Sydney, NSW who consumes 3,900kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Ausgrid network, and only one plan per provider is shown. Prices were last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the provider's site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Australia | No Frills | 13% less | N/A | $317.75 | $1,271.00 |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver | 13% less | N/A | $318.67 | $1,275.00 |
Verdict: The plans from both providers are nearly identical, with no real savings when you compare one to the other.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in Melbourne, Victoria who consumes 4,000kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the CitiPower network. Prices were last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the provider's site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver | 17% less | N/A | $276.31 | $1,105.00 |
| Energy Australia | Total Plan Home - Peak Only | 6% less (without conditional discount) | Further 6% off VDO if you always pay on time. | $293.13 | $1,173.00 |
Verdict: Siding with AGL in Victoria could save you around $68 a year.
Note: For residents outside of South East Queensland, residents don't get to choose their provider as energy is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in Queensland who consumes 4,600kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Energex network. Prices were last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the provider's site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Australia | Total Plan Home | 11% less | N/A | $349.05 | $1,396.20 |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver | 10% less | N/A | $352.12 | $1,408.48 |
Verdict: Energy Australia is a mildly cheaper choice in Queensland, but only by about $12 annually.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Prices are based on a residential customer in South Australia who consumes 4,000kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the SA Power Networks network. Prices were last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the provider's site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver - No Exit Fee | 13% less | N/A | $421.74 | $1,686.96 |
| Energy Australia | No Frills | 6% less | N/A | $455.07 | $1,820.28 |
Verdict: AGL is a clear winner in South Australia, saving you upwards of $130 every year on your power bill with their Essential Savers plan.
What plans available from AGL and Origin in each state?
New South Wales
Both AGL and Energy Australia offer their full suite of plans in every state, and NSW is no exception. AGL customers can pick between two plans, while Energy Australia customers have a choice of three (though one is just a standing offer plan).
Signing up online for this variable rate plan can net you a $75 credit on your first bill plus 5,000 flybuys points over 15 months.
This is more or less the Saver plan but with an additional $20 bonus bill credit every 6 months for 2 years on top of what you get before. The usage rates are locked for the first 2 years of the plan.
This is the flagship plan with fixed rates for the first 12 months and variable rates thereafter. The guaranteed discount applies for a year.
This is a version of the Total Plan with slightly higher usage rates, and it offers fixed rates for a 12-month benefit period.
This is a stock standard variable rate energy plan that offers no extra special features compared to the other two plans. Electricity will be provided at the reference price.
Victoria
In Victoria, much like New South Wales, there are several plans available to customers of both retailers. Energy Australia only allows direct debit in Victoria, while AGL’s plans have more flexible billing options.
You get 12 months of variable rates with no discounts attached. You can receive 5,000 flybuys points in the first 15 months of the plan.
With this plan, you'll get 12 months of fixed rates that are a little bit higher than the Saver version. You'll also receive the flybuys points.
This plan gives the highest total discount on your energy bill and offers fixed rates for a one-year benefit period. The discount is lower on electricity than it is on gas if you combine utilities.
Similar to the Total Plan, No Frills will give you a fixed rate for the first 12 months before changing to a variable rate, but it requires direct debit payments.
There’s nothing special about this plan. It simply offers electricity at the Victorian Default Offer. There’s no benefit period.
Queensland
Here, the discounts offered by both providers when compared to the reference price shrink considerably. The range of savings between the plans is not as large as the range in other states.
This will provide you with a simple variable rate plan. If you choose to sign up online, you’ll receive a $75 credit on your first bill and get up to 5,000 flybuys points in the first 15 months.
You'll get fixed rates for the first 24 months and the same incentives as the Saver version plus a $20 bill credit every 6 months for 2 years. The usage rates are generally higher when compared to the other plan.
As in other states, the Total Plan provides a guaranteed discount on both your usage and supply rates for the first 12 months you’re on it. It also has fixed rates during that period.
This plan is extremely close to the Total Plan, but it has lower fixed rates for the first twelve months and no discount. The cost works out to be about the same as the Total Plan.
This plan does not come with any bonus features. It provides electricity at the reference price and nothing more.
South Australia
In South Australia, the difference between Energy Australia’s plans is minimal in terms of usage rates and discounts. AGL offers a wider spread but less bill credit than in other states.
Get $25 in bill credit and 5,000 flybuys points over 15 months when you sign up to this plan online. Otherwise, it’s a simple variable rate offer.
This plan offers fixed rates for the first 24 months plus a $20 bonus credit every 6 months for the 2-year benefit period. It also comes with the same online sign-up incentives as the Saver plan.
This gives a guaranteed discount and fixed rates for the first 12 months of the plan.
Nearly identical to the Total Plan in South Australia, it replaces the guaranteed discount with lower fixed rates for the benefit period of one year.
As it says in the name, this is a basic plan offering electricity at a rate exactly equal to South Australia’s reference price with no special conditions.
Verdict
When you’re comparing these two providers, a noticeable point of difference is that AGL offers multiple different sign-up incentives in the form of bill credit and flybuys points, while Energy Australia doesn’t. It’s also worth noting that the "guaranteed discounts" on Energy Australia’s flagship Total Plan are a little misleading – Total Plan’s guaranteed discount just brings its inflated usage and supply rates in line with the No Frills offering for the first 12 months.
When it comes to the environment, both Energy Australia and AGL offer certified renewable GreenPower in 10%, 20% and 100% increments. On top of this, Energy Australia offers customers a 100% carbon neutral offset option once they’ve had their plan for 6 months. Both companies help their customers manage their power use and bills via apps (the AGL app and the EnergyAust app).
Overall, distinguishing between these two retailers is a difficult choice that will largely come down to where you live and the best deal you can get from one of these providers.
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