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Electricity and gas providers in Victoria
Who's offering a competitive deal on energy this month?
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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 of cheap plans is a general guide only and may change at any time. We compared prices based on a residential customer in VIC (Postcode: 3000) who consumes 3,900 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Citipower 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: 11% less than reference price
Estimated quarterly price: $316
Between the big 3 (AGL, Energy Australia and Origin), Origin has the cheapest electricity deal for Victoria this month, offering power at 11% below the reference price. So long as you don't mind paying online by direct debits and installing the Origin app, you can get this guaranteed discount on your power for a year.
The plan runs month to month with no contract and has a 10-day cooling off period in case you change your mind.
Cheap electricity in Victoria
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 Melbourne, Victoria (Postcode: 3000) who consumes 4,000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Citipower 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 Victoria
Methodology: Our cheapest picks were made using prices found through 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 Melbourne, Victoria (Postcode: 3000) who consumes 4,000 kWh a year on a single rate tariff in the Citipower 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 | Energy Fact Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin Max Saver - Online Special | Single Rate | $315 | Energy fact sheet |
| EnergyAustralia: No Frills (T2) | Single Rate | $319 | Energy fact sheet |
| AGL: Residential Essentials Saver | Single Rate | $322 | Energy fact sheet |
| AGL: Residential Seniors Plus | Single Rate | $322 | Energy fact sheet |
| Kogan: Market Offer | Single Rate | $324 | Energy fact sheet |
| AGL: Residential Essentials | Single Rate | $328 | Energy fact sheet |
| Origin Max Saver | Single Rate | $347 | Energy fact sheet |
| Origin Max Saver | Single Rate | $347 | Energy fact sheet |
| Origin Flexi | Single Rate | $351 | Energy fact sheet |
| Origin Flexi | Single Rate | $355 | Energy fact sheet |
What's in this guide?
Is electricity expensive in Victoria?
...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).
What does this mean?
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.
List of energy providers in VIC
| Link to provider review | ⚡ 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 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Energy plans from some of the main providers in Victoria: What's on offer?
Note: Plan information last checked in July 2020.
AGL - Residential Essential Savers
Basic variable rate electricity plan with no lock-in contract and monthly billing. Includes a demand charge, where you pay an additional fee based on your max peak consumption during a certain period, higher in summer. Choose between 10, 20, and 100% GreenPower.
EnergyAustralia - Total Plan Home (Peak Only)
This offers fixed rates and a guaranteed discount off your whole electricity bill for the first 12 months of the plan. Has flexible payment options and quarterly billing. You can opt in for complete carbon offsets after the first 6 months, and pick between 10, 20, and 100% GreenPower.
Origin - Max Saver
Provides variable rate electricity with a 12 month benefit period and monthly billing. To be eligible for the plan, you have to get online billing and communications, pay by direct debit, and install the Origin app. No lock-in contract, with 25, 50, or 100% GreenPower options.
Powershop - Shopper Market Offer
Variable rate electricity with direct debit payments, 100% GreenPower options, and no connection fee at a new address. In order to access significant discounts off your bill, you can pre-purchase Powerpacks in their shop. Billed monthly.
Tango Energy - Home Select
Fixed electricity prices for the first 12 months, after which they become variable again. Has flexible payment options and is billed monthly, with no GreenPower options.
What type of energy discounts do providers in VIC offer?
We went through all the energy plans on offer in Victoria to discover what kinds of discounts exist. Here are the four main types:
- Pay on time discounts. Paying early or paying on time offers a percentage discount on your bill. When you miss a payment, this discount goes away.
- Direct debit discounts. If you let your provider withdraw the value of your bill directly from your bank account each month, you'll get a discount.
- Guaranteed discounts. Always apply, no matter what. This is the most reliable type of discount.
- Bill credit. Mostly offered on sign up and involves money being subtracted from your energy bills.
According to our data, direct debit discounts are the most common discount variety offered by Victorian retailers. Discounts generally apply only during set benefit periods, and expire when they run out.
| Discount type | Example | Providers that offer the discount |
|---|---|---|
| Pay on time discounts | Discount on total bill Discount on total usage | Sumo, Diamond Energy, Lumo Energy, Red Energy, GloBird Energy 1st Energy, GloBird Energy |
| Direct debit discounts | CovaU, Origin Energy, Diamond Energy, GloBird Energy | |
| Guaranteed discounts | Discount on total bill Discount on total usage | CovaU, Origin Energy, Energy Australia Origin Energy |
| Bill credit | Sumo Saver Credit | Sumo |
| Other special discounts | Mega Pack Free Power Bonus | Powershop Energy Locals |
Last checked December 2019
How much is the energy rebate in VIC?
An energy rebate works by providing a certain amount of money back on your energy bill. To qualify for a particular rebate, you usually need to satisfy some condition or have a valid concession card.
Rebates come in two forms: a flat amount back (like $50), or a percentage of your power bill. If you want to know what energy rebates exist in Victoria, go to our energy rebates and concession guide and search the Victorian section.
When are off-peak and on-peak periods in VIC?
Power use is split into different periods, known as peak and off-peak. Unlike other states, Victoria does not have a shoulder period. These periods are only relevant on a time-of-use tariff, since single rate plans treat the whole day as a single peak time.
- Peak. 7am - 11pm on weekdays. This is when electricity is used the most and attracts the highest prices.
- Off-peak. All other times (11pm - 7am weekdays, all weekend). Electricity consumption drops in off-peak periods, meaning prices are lower.
How to read a meter in VIC
You can either have a technician visit to read your meter, or you can read it yourself. The technician route is easy, as all you have to do is make sure the technician can access your meter. With a smart meter, you won't even have to locate your physical meter.
Electricity can be dangerous, so if you choose to read your meter yourself you should take a few basic safety precautions. Make sure the meter and its housing don't show any signs of deterioration, including damage from water or animals, and burnt or melted components. Taking a reading will then depend on what meter you have, explained in full on our meter reading guide.
- Smart meter. These read usage on around a half-hourly basis. You can't read a smart meter manually - instead, you can check your usage by logging onto your provider's page and asking for a usage chart.
- Clock face meter. Write down the number on each clock face from left to right. When dials are between two numbers, take the lower, and ignore the dial labelled 1/10. Your usage will be your meter reading minus the reading from your last energy bill.
- Electronic meter. Hitting the "display" button should show your usage. Note down all the readings it displays if there are several.
As a Victorian customer, you have the right to send a self-read of your meter to your energy provider so that you aren't given an estimated bill.
How often will you get your bill?
Victorian regulations require retailers to provide energy bills at least quarterly, or once per three months. Your provider may also decide to send the bill monthly or allow you to opt in to monthly billing.
- Origin. Bills come monthly on the Origin Max Saver plan. Bills will not be mailed in paper form as part of this plan, only sent via email.
- Energy Australia. The No Frills plan involves quarterly billing, with no option for monthly. Customers can select email or regular post, though paper bills will attract a small additional charge.
- AGL. On AGL's Residential Essential Savers Plan, bills are issued quarterly by default, but customers can opt in for monthly billing instead. Bills are sent by email or can be mailed in paper form for an additional cost.
How do you connect electricity in VIC?
When moving from one property to another, you have to deal with switching over your electricity connection from the old to the new. There are a few ways to deal with this:
- Use your old provider. Don't intend to switch plans or providers? Just contact your retailer and they'll sort it out for you. Be aware that not all plans are available at all addresses.
- Get your landlord or agent to do it. When renting, your landlord is sometimes responsible for the energy account at the property. If that's the case, you can run through the details with them, and they can handle whatever connection fees might be applicable.
- Compare online. A move can be a fresh start and a good chance to leave your old power plan for something better. Whether you simply want an improved deal or you can't remain on your old plan, comparing plans online is an excellent way to save money on electricity in the future.
Moving a connection from one house to another isn't always free. The distributor may charge one or both of a connection fee for moving in and a disconnection fee for moving out. This table shows the fees that Victorian distributors charge.
| Distributor | Connection fee | Disconnection fee |
|---|---|---|
| Citipower | $41.79 | $42.42 |
| Powercor | $61.66 | $65.55 |
| Ausnet Services | $22.04 | $22.04 |
| Jemena | $42.39 | $65.41 |
| United Energy | $54.52 | $54.52 |
Source: Origin Energy
How to get cheaper energy
- Look at base rates. The most important number on an energy plan is how much you get charged per unit of energy you use. Outside of conditional discounts and other features, lower usage rates mean cheaper energy.
- Investigate discounts. Discounts can be conditional or guaranteed. Usually, guaranteed discounts are better because they always apply, while conditional ones require you to meet a condition. Watch out for when these discounts expire, too.
- Check tariff options. When your energy use leans more towards the morning or early afternoon, you might benefit from something like a time of use tariff instead of a flat rate. Time of use tariffs split the day into peak and off-peak times, charging way more for peak than off-peak use.
- Compare regularly. In many cases, your rates can be changed at almost any time. On top of that, most discounts and benefits only apply for the first 12 months. Compare or switch regularly to make sure you get the best deal.
Key terms in VIC
| 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. |
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
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