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Compare gas and electricity providers in Perth and WA
Households in WA may not always be able to choose their electricity provider but there's still the option to opt for a cheaper gas plan and save money.
Currently available in NSW, ACT, SA, VIC, parts of QLD, TAS & WA (only Gas). Not available in Ergon Area (QLD), NT and embedded networks or non-quotable meters.
We've included plans from various gas providers in WA to help you find the best option for your household.
The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer on the ATCO network who consumes 4015MJ yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
Highly commended for gas in WA in Finder's 2023 Customer Satisfaction Awards
Local customer support
Option to earn 1 Flybuys point per $1 spent
No mobile app for plan management
If you'd like to receive a more accurate estimate of your gas bills based on your own circumstances, use our comparison tool and input your energy usage and postcode.
It offers one of the more competitive gas prices around and will even give you 35% off gas usage charges for a benefit period of 2 years.
In addition the gas provider does not charge you any credit card or moving-in fees and will offer discounts via to other retailers including HOYTS, Myer and Woolies via its reward shop.
We considered all of these factors to give individual gas providers in WA a value score, with Alinta Energy taking top spot in our rankings.
When I moved from Sydney to Perth four years ago, I was surprised to find out I couldn't actually compare electricity providers. Synergy is the only supplier of electricity servicing Perth, so that decision was made for me. When it comes to gas, however, I was able to compare and choose. I naturally gravitated towards AGL for gas as I had been with them previously and liked that they offered a monthly billing option. We use very little gas in our house, and our bill works out to about $30 per month.
Due to the way energy is regulated in Western Australia, most residents aren't able to choose their electricity retailer. Synergy services Perth and parts of the south-east region while Horizon Power operates in the rest of the state.
However, you might be able to choose from 1 of 3 basic tariff types available:
Single rate tariff. Pay a daily supply charge and then for the power you use - set at one price per kWh. This means no matter what time of the day you use electricity, it all costs the same. (Synergy and Horizon)
Time of use tariff. Pay a daily supply charge and then a different price per kWh for your usage at peak, off-peak and super-off peak times throughout the day. (Synergy only)
Combined tariff. Available for those who live and run a business from the one address. Pay a daily supply charge and then for your usage at stepped rates. That means you pay a different amount per the number of units of electricity you use. (Synergy and Horizon)
There's also some notable exceptions.
You might be able to switch to regional QLD power or Northern Territory market (although they only have one retailer for electricity and gas), but where you are located will be the determining factor in this.
What electricity plan options do I have in Perth and WA?
In the southeast of the state, you'll be serviced by Synergy.
You can choose between 3 tariff types:
Home Plan (A1) tariff. Single rate tariff.
Midday Saver tariff. Time of use tariff.
Home Business Plan (K1) tariff. Combined/stepped usage tariff.
In regional WA your electricity provider is Horizon Power. You can choose between the following 3 plans:
Residential (A2) tariff. Single rate tariff.
Combined Use (K2) tariff. Combined/stepped usage tariff.
Prepaid Power. This plan lets you pay for your energy costs upfront and share costs with other householders.
Do you have to use Synergy for electricity in Perth?
If you're a resident in Western Australia, you do not have a choice in energy suppliers, meaning you will have to use Synergy.
This is because the state isn't connected to the national energy market.
Instead, Western Australia is a unique market that has its own electricity market, with its own regulations and 2 networks. These are broken down into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) covering Albany to Kalgoorlie and a second network which is anything outside of the SWIS network.
These are further broken down into a number of regions including:
Kimberly region
Pilbara region
Gascoyne and MidWest Region
Goldfield-Esperance Region
While the vast majority of the state uses the Synergy network, there is one notable exception.
If you're a large enough business you will be able to negotiate with various suppliers.
This is based off two criteria:
Spending more than $15,000 per year on electricity
Use more than 50,000 kWhs
This is due to counting as contestable customers, which are available to negotiate with various providers.
Available energy rebates and concessions in WA
Western Australians can access a range of rebates or concessions to help manage the cost of their energy bills.
Energy assistance payment
This concession is aimed at helping low-income households in WA manage the cost of electricity.
You must hold an eligible concession card (Centrelink Health Care card, Pensioner Concession card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold or Pensioner card).
You must be a Synergy or Horizon Power customer.
$310.60 a year (incl. GST) divided into daily amounts and credited to your bill directly.
If you're billed directly by Horizon or Synergy, then you should apply through your provider. Otherwise, apply with the Energy Concession Extension Scheme directly so it can manage your rebate for you.
Energy Concession Extension Scheme payment
This is an annual payment to help those who are not customers of Synergy or Horizon Power
You must hold an eligible concession card (Centrelink Health Care card, Pensioner Concession card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold or Pensioner card).
Good to know: If you're eligible for the ECES you may be eligible for the Dependent Child Rebate and Air Conditioning Rebate. In that case, your application will be assessed for all 3 and they'll be paid to your account altogether.
Dependent child rebate
A concession to help those with dependent children by reducing the amount owing on their electricity bills. It scales with the number of children.
You must hold an eligible concession card (Centrelink Health Care card, Pensioner Concession card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold or Pensioner card).
$334.77 a year for the first child and $87.72 for each additional child
If you're billed directly by Horizon or Synergy, apply through your provider. Otherwise, apply to the Energy Concession Extension Scheme so it can manage your rebate for you.
Air conditioning rebate
This concession helps offset some of the costs associated with running an air conditioner.
You must live in an area of WA that experiences prolonged periods of heat (north of the 26th Parallel and/or north of the 50-Day Relative Strain Index line.
You must have dependent children and hold an eligible concession card (Centrelink Health Care card, Pensioner Concession card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold or Pensioner card), OR
You must hold a WA Seniors Card and either a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
$66.68/month
If you're billed directly by Horizon or Synergy, apply through your provider. Otherwise, apply to the Energy Concession Extension Scheme so it can manage your rebate for you.
Hardship Utilities Grant Scheme (HUGS)
This scheme assists those experiencing financial hardship to pay off their outstanding bills. The amount you're eligible for depends on where in WA you live.
You must be experiencing financial hardship.
You must have an outstanding debt with your energy provider.
Varies depending on where you live.
Up to $580 per financial year if you live south of the 26th parallel (south of Denham).
Up to $960 per financial year if you live north of the 26th parallel (north of and including Denham).
You can't get support from a HUGS grant that exceeds 85% of the amount on your outstanding energy bill.
You have to apply through your energy retailer by calling them up. They'll assess whether you're eligible for HUGS assistance and manage it for you.
Frequently asked questions
Based on our research, the average quarterly electricity bill in Western Australia is $267.
Based on our research, the average quarterly gas bill in Western Australia is $151.
It's useful to know who your energy distributor is when there's a power outage or you need to report a gas leak.
Electricity
Distributor
Network area
Western Power
The South West Interconnected Network which includes Perth, Bunbury, south down to Busselton and Albany, east out to Merredin and Kalgoorlie and north including Geraldton and Kalbarri
Horizon Power
The rest of Western Australia
Gas
Distributor
Network area
ATCO Gas Australia
All of Western Australia
If you're a residential customer in Perth your electricity provider will likely be Synergy.
Outside of the SWIS the only retailer that supplies electricity to both residential and business customers is Horizon Power.
Businesses in Perth that use more than 50Mhw/year of electricity have a choice between the following providers:
In Perth, you may have a choice between 2 plans from Synergy for Residential use. These include the Home Plan (single rate) and the Midday Saver (time of use). In regional WA with Horizon Power your choices include the single rate Residential tariff or a K2 Combined Use single rate tariff for business and residential energy usage on one bill.
See rates in the following table:
Name
Supply Charge
Usage Rate
Rate
Home Plan (A1)
107.7685c/day
30.0605c/per kWh
Variable
Midday Saver
120.00c/day
Peak rate: 50.00c/kWh Off-peak rate: 22.00c/kWh Super off-peak rate: 8.00c/kWh
Variable
Home Business Plan (K1)
190.1702c/day
First 20 units per day: 31.4035c/kWh Next 20-1,650 units per day: 29.5937c/kWh More than 1,650 kWh per day: 33.3658c/kWh
Variable
A2 Residential tariff
107.77c/day
30.0605c/kWh
Variable
K2 Combined Use tariff
190.17c/day
First 20 kWh per day: 31.4035c/kWh Next 21 - 1,650kWh per day: 29.5937c/kWh Over 1,650kWh per day: 33.3658c/kWh
Variable
If you're on a Synergy Midday Saver plan your rates will vary over the following periods:
Period
Time
Rate
Super Off Peak
9am to 3pm
8.0000 cents per unit
Peak
3pm to 9pm
50.0000 cents per unit
Off Peak
9pm to 9am
22.0000 cents per unit
The more energy you're able to use in off-peak times the more you should be able to save more on your power bill.
Keep in mind: Circumstances vary, depending on your usage you may be better off on a single rate plan rather than a time of use plan.
Yes, eligible concession card holders (Pensioner Concession card, Health Care card or Veterans' Affairs Gold card) can have their meter test fee refunded if they believe it to be faulty or inaccurate.
You can contact Synergy or Horizon Power directly.
Cameron Micallef was a utilities writer for Finder. He previously worked on titles including Smart Property Investment, nestegg and Investor Daily, reporting across superannuation, property and investments. Cameron has a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies/ Commerce from the University of Wollongong. Outside of work Cameron is passionate about all things sports and travel. See full bio
Cameron's expertise
Cameron has written 177 Finder guides across topics including:
Residents of the ACT have several electricity and gas providers to choose from.
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