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Electricity and gas providers in Queensland
Who's offering cheap rates in south east Queensland?
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Compare energy retailers in QLD
You can compare plans by price using our engine below:
Cheapest big 3 plan
Methodology: The following pick was made by checking prices of AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia on our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in QLD (Postcode: 4000) who consumes 4,600 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Energex network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
Plan: Origin Max Saver - Online Special
Stands at: 16% less than reference price
Estimated quarterly price: $316
Between the big 3 retailers (AGL, Energy Australia and Origin), Origin has the best electricity rate for South East Queensland residents this month, offering power at 16% below the reference price.
The plan runs on an ongoing contract with a 12-month benefit period.
Cheap electricity in QLD
Methodology: The following list was made using prices found checking our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list of cheap plans is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in QLD (Postcode: 4000) who consumes 4,600 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Energex network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
Rates
Cheap gas plans in QLD
Methodology: The following list was made using prices found checking our energy engine on 1 July 2020.
The following list of cheap plans is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in QLD (Postcode: 4000) who consumes 4,600 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Energex network. The estimated price includes conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded from our picks. Always check the provider's site before applying. Your actual bill may vary, depending on your usage.
| Plan | Tariff type | Estimated quarterly price | BPID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alinta Energy: HomeDeal Gas | Single Rate | $175 | BPID |
| Alinta Energy: Sports Pack Gas Plan | Single Rate | $175 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Essentials Saver Online | Single Rate | $183 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Essentials Saver | Single Rate | $183 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Seniors Plus | Single Rate | $183 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Seniors Plus Online | Single Rate | $183 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Essentials Plus | Single Rate | $187 | BPID |
| AGL: Residential Essentials Plus Online | Single Rate | $187 | BPID |
| GloBird: GasGloSave (Brisbane & Riverview)-AGN | Single Rate | $191 | BPID |
| GloBird: GasCombo (Brisbane & Riverview)-AGN | Single Rate | $195 | BPID |
What's in this guide?
Is electricity expensive in QLD?
...on average, a household could be charged around $1,288 annually.
When it comes to the average rate you are charged for using electricity, QLD has the cheapest average rate at $0.28 per kilowatt hour (kWh).
What does this mean?
Standard household usage in QLD is around 4,600 kWh over a year. This means a household could be charged is around $1,288 annually [$0.28 x 4600] on average.
Note: This example is a general guide and doesn't include fixed daily supply charges and other fees. Household usage has been taken from AER's Default Market Offer Prices Report and is based on the Energex network.
List of energy providers in QLD
| Link to provider review | ⚡ Electricity | ♨️ Gas | ☀️ Solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| AGL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alinta | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| amaysim | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Click Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| DC Power Co | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Diamond Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Discover Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dodo | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Energy Locals | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| EnergyAustralia | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| LPE | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mojo Power | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Momentum Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Origin Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Powerclub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerdirect | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powershop | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Qenergy | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| ReAmped | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Red Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Simply Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Business owners can also sign up for electricity with Next Business Energy.
Energy plans from some of the main providers in QLD: What's on offer?
Note: Plan information last checked on July 2020.
AGL - Residential Essentials Saver
No-frills electricity plan with variable rates and the option of monthly billing. While there are no exit fees, the benefit period lasts for the first 12 months, after which you may be placed on another plan. Pick between 10 and 100% GreenPower.
EnergyAustralia - Total Plan Home
A fixed rate plan with a guaranteed discount off your total electricity bill for the benefit period of 12 months. Pay how you like and get billed quarterly. If you opt in, your power will be 100% carbon offset after 6 months, and you can choose 10 to 100% GreenPower options.
Origin - Max Saver
A variable rate electricity plan with strict eligibility requirements. You must accept online billing and communications, pay only by direct debit, and install the Origin app to join this plan. There are no exit fees, benefits last for the first 12 months, and 25 to 100% GreenPower options are on offer.
Powershop - Shopper Market Offer
Get variable rate electricity with no connection fee when moving, monthly billing, and flexible payments. If you pre-purchase your energy in the Powershop by way of Powerpacks, you can receive extra savings on your energy bill. 100% GreenPower is available to customers.
Discover Energy - Residential Single Rate Ultimate Offer
Only available to new customers of Discovery. You get variable rate electricity, a monthly billing option, and flexible payment methods. There is no contract term, no exit fees, and no GreenPower options on offer.
What type of energy discounts do providers in QLD offer?
We went through all the power plans available to customers in south east Queensland and identified the major kinds of discounts you can access. Here's what we found:
- Bill credits. A bill credit is a certain amount of money that's applied to your power bill, usually as a sign up bonus.
- Pay on time discounts. Customers who are always on time paying their bills will get a discount off their bill. It disappears if you miss or are late with any payments.
- Guaranteed discounts. No matter what, a guaranteed discount will work to reduce your bill. You don't need to meet any special conditions.
- Direct debit discounts. Agreeing to pay by direct debit will give a percentage discount off your bill or usage charges.
Very few discounts are unlimited, with most expiring after a certain period of time known as the benefit period. In Queensland, the most common type of discount is a guaranteed discount on your total bill.
| Discount type | Example | Providers that offer the discount |
|---|---|---|
| Bill credits | $75 credit for online sign up Up to $40/$240 bonus credit p.a. Sumo Saver Credit | AGL AGL Sumo |
| Pay on time discounts | Discount on total bill Discount on total usage | 1st Energy, Sumo Elysian Energy, Future X Power |
| Direct debit discounts | Diamond Energy | |
| Guaranteed discounts | Discount on total bill Discount on total usage | CovaU, EnergyAustralia, Origin Energy, Powerdirect Origin Energy, Discover Energy |
| Other special discounts | Mega Pack Free Power Bonus | Powershop Energy Locals |
Last checked December 2019
How much is the energy rebate in QLD?
If you are eligible to receive an energy rebate, it will work to reduce the total amount of your bill by a flat amount or a percentage. Eligibility generally requires you to meet a specific condition, which can be something like holding a valid concession card.
To find out what rebates you can access, see our guide to energy rebates and concessions in Australia and have a look at the Queensland section.
When are off-peak and on-peak periods in QLD?
Power use is treated differently depending on what time you're using it: in a peak, off-peak, or shoulder period. These periods don't matter on single rate plans, which charge a single flat rate for all times of the day, but on a time-of-use tariff usage rates will vary between them. Here's how they work in south east Queensland:
- Peak. 4pm - 8pm weekdays. This is when demand is highest, so you'll pay the highest prices.
- Off-peak. 10pm - 7am every day. State-wide demand is at its lowest during off-peak, so prices are low, too.
- Shoulder. All other times (7am - 4pm, 8pm - 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends). Sits between the other two periods in terms of prices and demand.
How to read a meter in QLD
Residents of Queensland can choose to either read their meter themselves or get a technician in to do it. For a technician, you simply have to ensure that they can access the meter. If you possess a smart meter, manual readings aren't possible - they must be done online.
If you're planning to read your own meter, do a quick safety check. See that the meter and its housing are free from any damage that might have been caused by water or animals, and that no pieces are burned or melted. We describe here how to read a few common meters, but if you'd like more details or have a different meter see our guide.
- Smart meter. A smart meter measures usage in 15 to 30 minute chunks. You won't be able to read one by looking at it. Instead, go to your retailer's page and check out the usage chart there.
- Clock face meter. Write down the number on each clock face from left to right. When the dial is somewhere between two numbers, take the lower value. Don't take note of the dial labelled 1/10. Your power usage will be this meter reading minus the previous reading from your latest bill.
- Electronic meter. Hit the "display" button to show your usage. If the meter cycles through several different readings, make note of all of them.
How often will you get your bill?
Power bills must be issued at least once every 3 months by Queensland retailers. However, your retailer may choose to send it monthly instead or allow you to opt in for monthly billing. This is how three large energy retailers handle billing on their plans:
- Origin. The Origin Max Saver plan involves monthly billing by default. As part of this plan, you have to agree to receive your bills via email, and you won't get them in a paper form.
- Energy Australia. The No Frills plan has quarterly billing only, and will not bill more frequently. If you want a paper bill rather than just having one emailed to you, you'll be required to pay an extra fee.
- AGL. When you're on AGL's Residential Essential Savers Plan, your bill will come quarterly unless you specify that you'd rather have it monthly. Your bill will be sent to you by email, though you can request a paper bill for an additional fee.
How do you connect electricity in QLD?
If you're moving house, you'll need to arrange turning the power off at your previous place and getting it turned on at your new home. Here's a few approaches to get your power transferred smoothly:
- Use your previous provider. If your current energy plan suits you fine, contact your retailer and let them handle the move for you. Keep in mind that not all energy plans are available everywhere, so you may be forced to switch.
- Get your agent or landlord to do it. Landlords are sometimes responsible for the energy account at a property, depending on the specific rental situation. If your landlord is handling the power, sit down and work out the details with them, then let them figure out the switch for you, including connection fees.
- Compare online. There's no better time to upgrade your energy plan than when you're moving house anyway. You could source a better deal than what you have or just find a company that works better for you if you compare online, saving you money in the long run.
In Queensland, there are two electricity distributors: Energex in the south east and Ergon Energy everywhere else. Ergon Energy doesn't charge connection fees, so here's how much it will cost you with Energex:
| Distributor | Connection/disconnection fee |
|---|---|
| Energex | $12.55 |
How to get cheaper energy
- Examine base rates. While not the only part of a plan to watch out for, the actual amount you pay per kWh of electricity is the most important part of an energy plan. Once you've accounted for other offers and discounts, a lower usage rate generally translates into a cheaper energy bill.
- Check discounts. When you're offered a discount, it will be either conditional or guaranteed. Conditional discounts require you to meet certain conditions, while guaranteed discounts apply no matter what. Guaranteed is usually better because of this, though both last only for the limited benefit period of the plan.
- Tariff options. Time of use tariffs split the day into peak and off-peak times, with peak rates being way higher than off-peak. If your energy use is heavily weighted towards off-peak hours (morning and early afternoon), then you might benefit from a time of use tariff instead of a flat rate.
- Compare often. Variable rates change and benefit periods run out. By reviewing your energy plan at least annually - the most common benefit period for plans - you can save money by switching to new plans that offer better discounts, deals, and rates.
Switching
Your choice of retail provider can make a noticeable difference to the size of your energy bill. Once you've compared electricity and gas plans and chosen a new provider, it's relatively easy to switch. It's simply a matter of applying with the new provider and cancelling your existing plan. Your new provider should generally be able to supply your energy by the next day.
Picture: GettyImages
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Ask an Expert
I am moving to Dalby Qld in July. Will be a brand new account for electricity. Any advice on electricity provider’s here.
I will opt for off peak hot water.
Any advice on where to start before will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Cheers V.
Hi Veronica,
Thanks for your question.
There are some options for you on this page for electricity providers available in Queensland. On that page, just click on “Queensland” tab to view the list of providers and then “Enquire now” if you want to get a call from a broker or “Go to site” button if you like to check the provider’s page. Best to get in touch with them directly so you can discuss your options.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
Please ,can you tell me the best (cheapest) retailer in the Brisbane area for average use in a domestic situation.Thank You.
Hi Willie,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, we are unable to tell whose the best or cheapest retailer in your area because pricing depends on many factors including energy feature and consumption. An energy broker may be able to assist you in choosing the right provider for your needs. They can compare your energy use, your location, and various retailers to pair your house with the ideal retailer and plan.
You can reach out to an energy broker through this page.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hello with my current power plan I receive 10% off usage fee discount and our recent bill was about $ 200 quarterly
and Gas we receive 7% off usage discount at the moment and we pay about $140 quarterly
Do you have any better deal?
Thanks
Rad
Hi Rad,
Thanks for contacting us.
Just to confirm we are finder.com.au – a comparison site and provide general advice only. If you would like to find out more, you can fill out the form on this page and a representative will be in contact.
Regards,
Clarizza