Most residents of Western Australia can't choose their electricity providers, but they can switch gas suppliers.
The energy market in Western Australia, unlike most Australian states, has not been fully deregulated. Two companies sell most of Western Australia's domestic electricity: Synergy and Horizon Power. Which of the two sells you your electricity depends on where you live. For gas, on the other hand, Western Australians can choose between a number of providers including Alinta Energy, Kleenheat, AGL, Origin Energy and Perth Energy.
Who provides electricity in Western Australia?
The Western Australian electricity market is divided into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) and the Esperance System. Residents living within the SWIS have no choice in their energy retailer and must purchase electricity through Synergy. Outside the SWIS, customers are free to choose their energy retailer, although Horizon Power is currently the only retailer operating in many areas of the state.
- Synergy. The energy provider for customers within the SWIS, Synergy is Western Australia’s largest provider of gas and electricity. The company provides energy to more than one million residential, business and industrial customers in the state. It also generates its own power from a range of sources, including renewables and plays an active role in the Western Australian community.
- Horizon Power. Owned by the Western Australian state government, Horizon Power provides energy to residential customers outside the SWIS. Horizon Power is active in creating a more environmentally-friendly energy network and is working to generate more power from renewables and create a more efficient state.
Electricity pricing in Western Australia
As with your choice of energy retailer, how much you pay for your electricity in Western Australia depends largely on where you live. Residents within the SWIS who use less than 50 megawatt-hours of electricity a year are subject to government-regulated energy rates. Most households will not use more than 50 megawatt-hours a year and as such fall into this category.
WA residents using more than 50 megawatt-hours a year or those who live outside the SWIS have the ability to choose their electricity retailer and potentially negotiate lower rates than set by the government.
Government-regulated electricity rates
Prices last updated 7 August 2018
| Charge | Regulated rate |
|---|---|
| Supply charge | 101.55c per day |
| Supply charge for additional homes | 40.3762c per day |
| Electricity charge | 28.3272c per unit |
| Hot water supply charge | 21.0903c per day |
| Hot water supply charge for additional homes | 21.0903c per day |
| Hot water electricity charge | 11.6511c per unit |
Who provides gas in Western Australia?
Consumers in Western Australia have had a choice of gas provider since 2013. The two largest providers are Kleenheat and Alinta, but WA residents can also choose to buy their gas through AGL, Perth Energy or Origin Energy.
Western Australia gas plans and providers
Plans and pricing last updated 7 August 2018
| Provider | Plans and prices | Features/benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Alinta Energy | Fair Go 25
Fair Go 30
Fair Go 35
|
|
| Kleenheat | Monthly Energiser
Monthly smart saver plan
Standard form contract
|
|
| AGL | AGL Set and Forget™
AGL Savers™
AGL Fixed Rate
|
|
| Origin Energy | Origin Maximiser
Origin Saver
Bill Saver
|
|
| Perth Energy | Family Gas
|
|
Gas pricing in Western Australia
Gas pricing in Western Australia is regulated by the government, with a fixed cap preventing retailers from charging above a set price. Retailers can undercut this cap in an effort to beat out the competition, however, so it's worth shopping around to ensure you get the best deal.
In the tables below, you'll find the current government-regulated caps for gas pricing in different areas of Western Australia:
Prices last updated 7 August 2018
Mid-West/South-West WA
| Charge | Regulated rate |
|---|---|
| Supply charge | 21.69c per day |
| First 12 units/day | 14.98c per unit |
| Over 12 units/day | 13.51c per unit |
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
| Charge | Regulated rate |
|---|---|
| Supply charge | 48.78c per day |
| Energy charge | 13.90c per unit |
Albany
| Charge | Regulated rate |
|---|---|
| Supply charge | 23.42c per day |
| Extra dwellings | 11.70c per day |
| Energy charge | 17.03c per unit |
Why do we have to pay a supply charge of over $50.00 isn’t this amount a bit over the top.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your question.
I would like to confirm, are you referring to usage charge? Usage charge is the additional charge that depends on how much power you actually use and it is measured in cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh). It is sometimes called a ‘variable charge’ or ‘consumption charge’ and will vary from month to month. If your consumptions is low, the charges may be lower than $50.
You may have to directly reach out to your provider to confirm their rate for usage charges.
Cheers,
Anndy
I was told that if I switch to Kleenheat because you were recommended to me or I have been referred by a kleenheat customer that I will receive an ongoing 20% discount on my bills, is that correct ?
Hi F Latham,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You maybe eligible for the 20% discount. For confirmation, It would be best to speak with Kleenheat directly you may contact them here 13 13 51 and 13 13 52
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
I am a resident in Perth WA. What alternatives are there for residential electricity providers, outside of Synergy? Is synergy only option? Am looking for cheaper alternatives.
Hi Tanya,
Thanks for your inquiry.
There is also Horizon Power. Owned by the Western Australian state government, Horizon Power provides energy to residential customers outside the SWIS. Horizon Power is active in creating a more environmentally friendly energy network and is working to generate more power from renewables and create a more efficient state.
Cheers,
Rench
Can you have pay-as-you-go system in your gas and electrical bills, like the one they have in London?
Hi Bockarie!
You can shop around with our list of energy and gas suppliers on this page.
You may also leave your information on the Enquiry Form on the same page, so that an energy broker will discuss your options.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan