Why is electricity so expensive in South Australia?

SA relies heavily on gas-fired power and interstate connections when the wind and sun aren't producing, and it costs more to run a long, skinny grid for a spread-out population. This year there's an extra factor: the AER lifted SA's reference price 1.4% for 2026-27, partly because of high-priced grid stability events in 2025, while every other state's benchmark fell.

What is the average electricity and gas bill in SA?

Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker puts the average SA electricity bill at around $422 a quarter, with gas at $285. Household size, electric heating and your tariff type all push that figure around, so use it as a ballpark rather than a benchmark. Our guide to average energy bills in Australia shows how SA stacks up against the other states.

What's the difference between a market offer and a standing offer?

Every SA electricity plan is one or the other. Market offers carry the competitive rates and sign-up deals, and they're where the savings are. Standing offers exist as a safety net. They're priced around the reference price, and you'll usually only be on one because a market plan expired or you've never switched. Check a recent bill if you're not sure, or see our guide to energy contracts and benefit periods .

Will my power be cut off when I switch providers?

No, it won't. The switch happens in your retailer's billing system, not at your house. SA Power Networks keeps supplying you through the same wires and meter regardless of who sends the bill.

Do I need to tell my current provider I'm leaving?

There's no need. Once you sign up, the new retailer arranges the transfer, and the only thing your old one sends is a final bill. It's worth glancing at your current plan's fact sheet for exit fees first, although they're fairly uncommon.

Can I switch energy providers if I rent?

As long as the electricity account is in your name, switching is your call, not your landlord's. The two exceptions are embedded networks and rentals where energy is bundled into the rent, since in both cases the account isn't yours.