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Although the cheapest plans may vary based on the type of tariff, your location, your household and your usage, you can get a general idea of who is the cheapest using this table.
The following price estimates are a general guide only. Estimated prices are based on a residential customer in Melbourne, Victoria who consumes 4,000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the CitiPower network and we only show one plan per brand. Estimated prices include conditional discounts (if any). Any plans with special eligibility requirements are excluded. Prices last checked on December 2019 and are subject to change. Always check the providers site before applying.
| Brand | Plan name | Difference from reference price | Conditional discount? | Estimated price (per 91 days) | Estimated price (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GloBird Energy | EasySave Flat Rate (C1RB without Controlled Load) - CitiPower | 19% less | N/A | $271.59 | $1,086.00 |
| CovaU | Smart Saver Residential CitiPower Demand Tariff CR | 13% less (without conditional discount) | Further 4% off VDO when you pay by Direct Debit. | $272.79 | $1,091.00 |
| Elysian Energy | Resi Market Simple Plan (VCP) - (Single Rate) | 18% less | N/A | $273.40 | $1,094.00 |
| Powerdirect | Powerdirect Residential Rate Saver | 17% less | N/A | $276.30 | $1,105.00 |
| AGL | Residential Essentials Saver | 17% less | N/A | $276.31 | $1,105.00 |
| Momentum Energy | Self Serve Electricity_CRB | 16% less | N/A | $278.76 | $1,115.00 |
| Origin Energy | Origin Max Saver (Single Rate) | 5% less (without conditional discount) | Further 5% off VDO if you always pay on time. 5% off VDO when you pay by Direct Debit. | $283.14 | $1,133.00 |
| Dodo Power & Gas | Residential Market - Single Rate | 13% less | N/A | $290.09 | $1,160.00 |
| EnergyAustralia | 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 |
| Powershop | PowershopLITE | 10% less | N/A | $299.00 | $1,196.00 |
| Lumo Energy | Lumo Value | 10% less (without conditional discount) | Further 3% off VDO if you always pay on time. | $291.69 | $1,203.00 |
| Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | 8% more (without conditional discount) | Further 10% off VDO if you always pay on time. | $323.12 | $1,203.00 |
| Tango Energy | VIC Home Select | 9% less | N/A | $304.80 | $1,219.00 |
| 1st Energy | 1st Saver, Residential - Anytime | Equal to reference price (without conditional discount) | Further 10% off VDO if you always pay on time. | $299.61 | $1,239.00 |
| DC Power Co | Market Offer | 5% more | N/A | $350.88 | $1,272.00 |
| Sumo | Sumo Select | Equal to reference price (without conditional discount) | Further 4% off VDO if you always pay on time. | $318.56 | $1,274.00 |
| Click Energy | Click Banksia Plus - Peak Only | 3% less | N/A | $323.09 | $1,292.00 |
| amaysim | amaysim electricity classic saver - Peak Only | 1% less | N/A | $329.80 | $1,319.00 |
| Simply Energy | VIC Simply Standing Offer | Equal to reference price | N/A | $333.00 | $1,332.00 |
| Alinta Energy | Sports Pack Electricity Plan | Equal to reference price | N/A | $333.00 | $1,332.00 |
| BlueNRG | Blue VDO GD (General Usage) | Equal to reference price | N/A | $333.00 | $1,332.00 |
...a household could be charged around $1,320 annually on average.
When it comes to the average rate you are charged for using electricity, Victoria is one of the more expensive states, with the average rate being $0.33 per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Standard household usage in Victoria is around 4,000 kWh over a year. This means a household could be charged around $1,320 annually [$0.33 x 4000] 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 Electrical Services Commission website and is based on a 'medium' usage household in the Citipower network.
A competitive energy market in Victoria means more choices for consumers.
The first thing you should make sure you understand is the following terms:
A competitive energy market in Victoria means more choices for consumers. Many providers offer discounts, special offers or unique plans to suit a wide range of customers — which is why you should consider your personal needs when comparing.
Knowing the answer to these questions will make it easier for you to compare plans.
Now you're ready to compare plan features. Here's what you should look out for:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tariff types | Some plans charge you a single rate tariff (one rate based on use), whilst others charge you a time of use tariff (different rates based on your time of use). |
| Discounts | In a free energy market, electricity and gas providers offer all sorts of discounts and energy plans tailored to specific types of consumers, and many offer discounts for new customers. Keep in mind, plans with introductory discounts may have higher charges later on. Look for energy plans that extend discounts to customers beyond the early stages of a contract. Some plans include discounts for paying on time or signing long-term contracts and many providers offer discounts if you bundle gas and electricity plans together. |
| Termination fees | Some energy providers charge a fee when you terminate a contract before the end period. Early termination fees generally range from $40 to $100 and are specified in your contract. If you don't want to pay early termination fees, look for a no-lock-in contract that allows you to switch providers freely without incurring a penalty. |
| Payment options | Check if a provider lets you pay your bills in a variety of ways. If you're worried about paying bills on time, flexible options can help. Some providers let you purchase energy in advance, which can help limit bill shock. |
| Digital energy tools | Many providers in Victoria offer a variety of apps and online tools that let consumers measure their energy consumption. Knowing more about your energy usage patterns can help you make better energy decisions in the future. |
Residents of Victoria can choose from the following energy retailers:
| Provider | ⚡ Electricity | ♨️ Gas | ☀️ Solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| AGL | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Alinta | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| amaysim | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Elysian Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Click Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Commander | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| CovaU | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DC Power Co | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Diamond Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dodo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| EnergyAustralia | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GloBird Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lumo Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mojo Power | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Momentum Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Origin Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| People Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerdirect | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powerclub | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Powershop | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| QEnergy | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Red Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Simply Energy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sumo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tango Energy | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tas Gas | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Business owners can also sign up for plans with Next Business Energy, Blue NRG and ERM Business Energy.
The Victorian energy market is one of the most competitive in Australia, with a large number of gas and electricity providers operating across the state. Regardless of what provider you choose, there is a distributor which is responsible for the supply of your power. Your distributor depends on your location.
There are five electricity distributors in Victoria, each servicing a specific region:
| Distributor | Details |
|---|---|
| CitiPower | In Melbourne City and the inner suburbs. |
| Jemena | In the northern and south-western suburbs of Melbourne. |
| Powercor Australia | In the western suburbs of Melbourne and western Victoria. |
| AusNet Services | Across the outer northern and eastern Melbourne suburbs, as well as eastern Victoria. |
| United Energy Distribution | In the southern suburbs of Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. |
There are also three gas distributors in Victoria:
| Distributor | Details |
|---|---|
| Australian Gas Network | In Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, as well as parts of northern, eastern and southern Victoria. |
| Multinet Gas | In the inner and outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. |
| AusNet Services | In the outer northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne, as well as eastern Victoria. |
Residents of Victoria have access to the following energy discounts:
Check if you're eligible for any rebates or concessions in Victoria and learn how to apply
There are seven main tariff options to choose from when comparing energy providers in Victoria.
Switching energy providers in Victoria is simple. For the most part, choose a new energy provider and contact the new provider to arrange the switch. There may be some fees and outstanding payments to take care of, so run through this checklist to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Checklist: 6 things to do when switching providers.
How can I compare my power bill .I find it so confusing
Hi John & Cheryl,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Not sure what you are asking about comparing your power bill. The page we are on offers different options on energy providers available to you. It list details on what services they could provide as well as the states where they are available. Clicking on the “More Info” button will lead you to the review page for that specific company for you to learn more on what service they provide. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Which comparison site can I send my current bills for them to compare?
Hi Lydia,
Thanks for your question.
You may complete the form on this page with some details about your residential electricity and gas needs and you’ll be contacted by a consultant for an obligation-free discussion about your options. The consultant will work with you to compare a range of energy suppliers in your area.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Liezl
We have just installed 11 solar panels in Grovedale
Are we able to claim a government rebate and how do we do this.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for your question.
Generally, when homeowners invest in an eligible solar power system, the Federal Government issues STCs based upon the size of the energy efficient system and their location. The number of STCs you can receive depend on your location and which zone that falls into.
To learn more about the processes involved in getting the STCs in your area, you can reach out to your local government agency that handles its issuance.
Cheers,
Anndy