Save up to $300/year in Australia by switching plans with Energy Finder™

Compare energy prices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. If you're in another location, we may not have personalised prices available but we still have guides to help you compare energy plans, get estimates on your rates and learn about different providers.

• NSW
• VIC
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• ACT

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
Origin	$1,087	$773	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates
Alinta	$1,044	$682	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
AGL	$1,086	$723	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
EnergyAustralia	$1,114	$459	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Simply Energy	$1,142	$763	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates

See more energy plans in NSW

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in New South Wales. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
AGL	$1,147	$1,357	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Powershop	$1,101	$699	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Alinta	$1,013	$1,152	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Origin	$1,126	$1,391	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates
Energy Australia	$1,150	$866	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates

See more energy plans in VIC

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in Victoria. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
Alinta	$1,189	$570	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
AGL	$1,179	$628	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Origin	$1,179	$679	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates
Simply Energy	$1,222	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Dodo	$1,200	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates

See more energy plans in QLD

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in Queensland. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
Powershop	$1,459	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Origin	$1,459	$861	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates
AGL	$1,613	$841	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Simply Energy	$1,544	$780	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Alinta	$1,476	$1,134	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates

See more energy plans in South Australia

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in South Australia. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
CovaU	$1,450	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	Learn more
Elysian Energy	$960	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	Learn more
Energy Locals	$1,332	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
1st Energy	$1,580	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Aurora Energy	$1,590	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	Learn more

See more energy plans in TAS

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in Tasmania. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Providers	Average Electricity Price	Average Gas Price	Features	Compare prices
Origin	$1,453	$812	GreenPower available Solar assistance Bundling	See your rates
ActewAGL	$1,671	$1,222	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Energy Australia	$1,839	$861	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates
Simply Energy	Electricity quote not available	Gas quote not available	Solar assistance	See your rates
Red Energy	$1,645	Gas quote not available	GreenPower available Solar assistance	See your rates

See more energy plans in ACT

Note: These are the top five ranked plans in the ACT. See more and learn how we rated these providers at the link above.

Some of the energy providers we compare

Cheapest electricity providers in Australia

Electricity prices vary quite a bit from state to state. On average, the lowest rates tend to be for lucky Tasmanians while those in the ACT tend to pay the highest prices.

We've analysed prices using the average usage per year for electricity per state, to see which companies came out as the cheapest overall. Prices as of 21 February 2022.

Best electricity providers in Australia

As the best isn't always the cheapest, especially if you're after better customer service or larger companies, we've ranked providers in each state to find what we believe are the best options for consumers.

• How did we rank these electricity providers?*

  We used price, complaints and popularity score (how many customers each one has) to rank the top electricity providers. The weighting used against each to determine rankings was:

  • Basic plan price: 70%
  • Complaints: 20%
  • Popularity/number of customers: 10%

  Basic electricity plan price: The prices we've used (true as of 21 February 2022) are based on a residential electricity customer in each state. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (e.g. if you need to pay your bill on time). Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.

  Complaints: Our main source of truth is the Annual retail markets (AER) report (2020–2021) which looked at complaints made to the largest energy retailers available in each state.

  Popularity: We considered providers that had the most number of customers, once again using the AER report, to inform our ranking.

What should you consider when comparing energy plans?

Price

This is how much you can expect to pay on a given plan in a quarter, assuming average energy use. For most states, this will be placed against a default reference price for a clearer comparison.

Usage rates and supply charges

Usage rates are how much you pay for each unit of energy you consume, while supply charges are what you pay daily for being connected to the energy network.

Contract terms and benefit periods

The contract term tells you how long you're locked into a contract for (as opposed to month-to-month, which means you can leave at any time). A benefit period tells you how long discounts apply before they expire.

How to get the best energy deal in Australia

One of the easiest ways to save on energy costs is to switch to a cheaper energy provider. Here are a few more tips to lower your bills:

• Compare price estimates for your local area. Use our energy price comparison tool to get a real-time estimate of how much more than a dozen energy providers charge in your area.
• Bundle your energy with other utilities. You can save money on your bill when pairing energy with home internet with providers like AGL and Kogan Energy.
• Switch providers if you're not getting the best deal. You can move to a new energy provider in as little as two days, so if you see a better deal out there - get onto it! (Just remember to factor in any exit fees, if applicable)
• Make the most of rewards on offer. To entice you to switch, more and more energy providers are offering deals like 12 months access to a streaming service when you sign up. If it's a service you want, it may be worth the change.
• Look for discounts. It's no secret that many energy providers offer discounts. These discounts can be as simple as getting a bill reduction for paying your bills on time or signing up online. If you notify your provider that you want to switch, you may even be offered a discount to stay. Whatever discounts your provider offers, make sure to read all of the terms and conditions, as some offers only apply if you meet certain requirements.
• Bundle your energy plans. If you're looking to connect both electricity and gas, you might be able to get a discount by signing up for both services with the same provider. Bundled plans also offer the added benefit of simplifying your bills into a single invoice and making it easier to budget for utilities.
• Apply for concessions and rebates Some providers offer concession discounts for pensioners, veterans, low-income households or households with specialised medical equipment. Check out our guide to concessions and rebates in Australia to find out what your options are, check eligibility requirements and learn how to apply.
• Take advantage of real-time energy monitoring Some providers offer a smartphone app or desktop software that lets you track your energy use. These apps can help you understand how much energy you're using and the real-time cost of using specific appliances. This can help you understand exactly what you're paying for and reduce your energy use to lower your bills.
• Opt for monthly billing Many providers now offer monthly billing or bill smoothing. With bill smoothing, the retailer estimates your annual electricity costs and sends you invoices for more manageable monthly payments. While this won't reduce your annual energy costs, it will help you avoid bill shock with quarterly invoices.

What's going on in the energy world? We've got it covered

WA budget: How to get your $400 electricity credit

WA's budget surplus means it can help households struggling with cost of living pressures.

Read more…

Home solar: 5 myths and must-knows

SPONSORED: You might be surprised by home much home solar has changed.

Read more…

Should you switch energy plans now or wait until July?

Now's the time to take advantage of energy deals.

Read more…

$250 Victorian energy bonus: Here’s how to get it

Relief is on the way for Victorians concerned about energy price increases.

Read more…

Electricity bills expected to rise soon: What can you do?

New South Wales and Queensland are being hit the hardest.

Read more…

New Victorian solar energy rebates: Can you get $2,400?

This move will drive down energy bills and cut 50% of Victoria's emissions by 2030.

Read more…

How much do the big Australian energy brands matter?

Around 65% of Australian residents buy their power from one of the "Big 3" energy retailers: Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL.

Competitive rates, but not always the best

Smaller retailers often beat out the big three on price, but they remain competitive. You'll often need to stay on top of expiring benefit periods to keep your plan prices low.

They have good customer service

The big energy brands score well on their Finder customer service rating.

• What is Finder's energy customer service rating?

  Finder's customer service rating is a score assigned to retailers based on how easily customers can sign up and how responsive they are to issues.

  It's based on factors like these and others:

  • Call centre service
  • Website/app usability
  • Online help and support

   
  For a full breakdown of the customer service rating, see our methodology.

What should environmentally-conscious customers look for in an energy plan?

Most of Australia's electricity comes from non-renewable sources (e.g. coal burning). However, you can still make a greener choice when choosing an energy provider by looking out for:

• GreenPower. You can pay extra with some providers to guarantee that some amount of your energy is from renewables. Learn more in our GreenPower guide.
• Carbon offsets. Providers may offer "carbon neutrality" on their plans. This means they purchase carbon offsets for all the power that you use — your energy still produces emissions.
• Finder Green Award. The Finder Green Awards are handed out to businesses making the biggest contribution towards a green future, including energy retailers, among others.

 
Our individual provider pages go into more detail about green ratings.

What should solar panel owners look out for?

Solar owners not only produce some of their own power, but can feed the excess back into the grid for a rebate on their energy bill.

This rate is called the "solar feed-in tariff". While higher feed-in tariffs could be nice, watch out for inflated usage rates to see if it will actually save you money – check our guide to the best plans for solar feed-in tariffs for your area.

Before you switch plans

Here's a quick checklist:

• Resolve any problems. If you're switching due to an issue with your current provider, see if it can be resolved. You can always address serious complaints to the energy and water ombudsman for your state.
• Contract terms. Ensure you don't have to pay an exit fee to switch from your old plan.
• Discounts. Watch out for conditional discounts and realise that they will likely expire after 12 months.
• Concessions/rebates. You might be eligible for one. See our list of energy rebates for every state, or look out for concession-only plans like AGL's seniors plan.

 
If you aren't moving house, your retailer will handle the actual switch. They'll ask for some information and then do the rest, which is explained in detail here.

Frequently asked questions

• What type of package should I get?

  There are a number of different tariffs available for residential customers. Most households will probably end up on a general supply tariff. If there's usually nobody home in your house between the peak period of 4pm to 8pm on weekdays, then you might be interested in a "time of use tariff". As always, consider your individual needs and compare your options before signing a contract.

• If I have solar panels, does this limit my options?

  Sometimes, yes. Electricity retailers can offer specialised plans for residents with their own solar power. When selecting a plan, you will have to notify your retailer of your current solar system set-up.

• Do I need my bill to get a comparison of quotes?

  Having your last electricity or gas bill is very helpful when getting quotes from providers. If you can't supply this, having an estimate of your bill and the payment period can get you started.

• Are there any establishment fees for starting up a contract with a new company?

  For both gas and electricity, fees will apply if you don't already have a meter or connection to the gas mains. In these cases, it might be quite expensive to get the necessary infrastructure and connection installed. If you are switching to a new company from a pre-existing relationship with another before your contract is up, there may be associated exit fees to pay. Contact your current energy provider to learn more about those.

• Are there any fees for switching electricity or gas companies?

  This will depend on your provider. To find out whether your provider has exit fees, you can call them or check out the details of your package online.

• How quickly can my electricity be connected?

  If you already have a meter at your home, it will take around three business days to get connected. It takes longer if you don't have a meter, though.

• What is the difference between an energy supplier, distributor and retailer?

  • Suppliers generate the electricity or gas via various green and not-so-green processes.
  • Distributors take the energy from the suppliers and distribute it out to residents and businesses. The distributors are often responsible for maintaining the infrastructure including power lines and pipelines.
  • Retailers are the companies who sell you the power from the distributors and whose names you are probably aware of: AGL, Dodo, EnergyAustralia and so on.

• What type of light bulbs are there and which is the most efficient?

  There are four main types of light bulbs: incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and LED. Typically, LED is the most efficient.

• How is energy measured?

  • Gas is measured by its capacity to release heat energy and this unit is called a joule (J) (which might sound familiar from the amount of heat energy released from food). For instance, it requires 4.2 joules to heat 1 gram of water by just 1ºC. Your gas usage is measured in thousands of joules (kilojoules – KJ) or more likely millions of joules (megajoules – MJ).
  • Your electricity usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt is 1000 joules used up in a second. So a kilowatt hour is 1000 joules used every second for a whole hour. That's 1 kilojoule * 60 seconds * 60 minutes = 3,600. So a kilowatt hour uses 3,600 KJ (or 3.6 MJ).

• What are peak hours for electricity and why do they exist?

  Peak and off-peak hours refer to the times when there is the most strain on an electricity network. To reduce the strain on the power grid, power companies introduced off-peak benefits. These provide cheaper electricity prices during periods of lower demand to incentivise customers to try and spread the load of their electricity usage. Typically, peak and off-peak times are as follows:

  • Peak times: 3pm to 9pm weekdays.

  • Off-peak: 10pm to 7am all days.

  • Shoulder: Intermediate times between peak and off-peak.

• What are feed-in tariffs?

  If you have a solar panel system connected to the grid, you can earn money for supplying electricity to energy companies. The feed-in tariff defines how much you earn for the electricity your solar panels feed back into the network.

Energy guides

• Average energy bill in Australia

  Are you paying too much?

• How to read your bill

  Know what you're paying for with our guide to reading your energy bill.

• Energy tariffs and fees

  Understand the extra costs on your energy bill.

• Save on energy

  Tips to save energy in and around the home.

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