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Compare electricity plans and prices in Sydney and NSW
Haven't compared electricity plans in a while? Find out which providers in NSW are offering the cheapest deals.
Electricity providers we compare for Sydney and NSW
How to compare electricity providers in NSW?
Reference price
Each electricity plan that you compare will come with an annual estimate. The figure is also benchmarked against the reference price the energy watchdog sets annually. You should always aim for a plan lower than the reference price. The difference will be displayed as a percentage to make it easy to compare electricity plans.
Usage rate and supply charge
Besides the annual estimate and reference price, you can also compare plans by looking at the usage rate and supply charge. Usage rates determine how much you'll pay for each unit of energy that's consumed. Supply charges are what you pay daily for being connected to the energy grid.
Features and additional costs
When comparing plans, it pays to look at other things besides the annual estimate. Look out for signup deals such as discounts and rewards points plus additional features such as a mobile app to track your energy usage. Make sure you read the T&Cs for additional charges such as credit card fees or late payment charges.
Rebates and concessions
Rebates and concessions are a great way to save on electricity bills. They're mostly directed towards low-income households, pensioners and those with medical needs but of course, exceptions do apply. You can have a look at rebates available in NSW in our guide or, simply contact your energy provider to find out if you're eligible for any.
Compare electricity plans in Sydney and NSW
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the Ausgrid network who consumes 3911kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer on the Ausgrid network who consumes 3911kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
This month, our top pick for the best electricity provider in NSW is Powershop thanks to its Power House plan which does very well on price.
$150 sign-up credit on selected plans + free Netflix
New customers can get $150 online sign-up credit when they switch to AGL for electricity. Selecting the AGL Netflix Plan will also give you a free Netflix Standard subscription (with ads).
New customers can get up to $200 bill credit when you move home with EnergyAustralia. Get up to a 23% guaranteed discount as well depending on which plan you choose.
When I was looking for a energy provider before moving into my new home I was curious to see if there were features and benefits I could compare between providers alongside the general price and rates. Turns out there are quite a lot of added benefits to consider. I ended up going with Red Energy as they offered bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer points upon sign-up and 2 points for every dollar spent on my bill. I love collecting Qantas points so this was a great option for me
— Adelaide Moore, Finder producer
Looking to bundle your electricity or get a solar plan?
Sign up for a solar plan if you're after higher feed-in tariffs or check out which providers allow you to bundle electricity, gas and internet. Sometimes bundling can offer additional discounts and rewards.
Compare providers that offer high feed-in tariffs. We discuss if these are worth it compared to the usage rates you'll be paying.
2023 Finder Customer Satisfaction Award Winner
NSW Electricity
ENGIE (then Simply Energy) was voted the number one electricity provider in NSW. It received 4 out of 5 stars or above across all categories including customer service and value for money. Around 87% said they would recommend ENGIE (then Simply Energy).
NSW residents will likely be on 1 of 2 electricity contracts:
Standard retail contract. You're likely on this type of contract if you haven't changed retailers or never contacted them to update your energy contract. This is usually equivalent to the default market offer set by the state or territory government.
Market retail contract. These do not come with any set terms and conditions and are likely cheaper. This is due to additional discounts and other benefits given to a customer for a certain period. Always read the terms and conditions before signing up as your rates can change depending on the plan you're signing up to under this agreement.
Time of use pricing determines what you get charged for using energy at certain times. They may differ depending on which network you're on and which provider you're with. The peak and off-peak times in NSW on the Ausgrid network are divided into summer and winter periods:
Summer time of use periods (1 November to 31 March)
Peak
2pm–8pm weekdays
Shoulder
7am–2pm, 8pm–10pm weekdays and 7am–10pm weekends
Off-peak
10pm–7am weekdays and weekends
Winer time of use periods (1 June to 31 August)
Peak
5pm–9pm weekdays
Shoulder
7am–5pm, 9pm–10pm weekdays and 7am–10pm weekends
Off-peak
10pm–7am weekdays and weekends
Good to know. There are no peak periods during the autumn and spring months of April, May, September and October. Instead, the shoulder rates apply from 7am to 10pm weekdays and off-peak from 10pm to 7am at all other times.
Where you live (your distributor zone) and the type of metre you have at home determine the type of tariff you're on.
When you enter your address to compare energy plans, you could be presented with options that include one or more of the following types of tariffs:
Time of use tariff. You will be charged different rates depending on when you're using your electricity – peak, off-peak or shoulder time.
Single rate tariff. You will pay 1 rate regardless of when you're using energy. It's usually lower than rates charged during peak times and slightly higher than off-peak and shoulder rates.
Demand tariff. This tariff is set by your energy distributor. It will use your highest power demand in a particular period and charge you that rate throughout.
Controlled load tariff. This allows you to have your electricity usage for certain devices – such as heating systems and swimming pools – metered separately from the rest of your property.
Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 11+ years of experience in print and digital media. Her main goal is to help households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their household bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine.
Most Western Australia residents can't switch electricity providers but have a few options when it comes to gas. Find out if you can switch energy retailers.
Residents of the ACT have several electricity and gas providers to choose from.
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