Can I compare energy plans in my state or territory?
Electricity and gas prices vary across Australia, with each state or territory setting its own rules for regulation and competition.
Whether you can take advantage of competitive energy pricing depends on if the market is regulated or deregulated where you live:
- Regulated: the government controls prices or limits you to a small number of providers, so you are either unable to compare providers or there is little benefit in doing so.
- Deregulated: private retailers compete for your business, so you can compare plans and switch to get a better deal.
Here’s a breakdown of where you can compare and choose providers by state and territory:
| State/territory | Electricity | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | ✓ | ✓ |
| NSW | ✓ | ✓ |
| NT | ✗ | ✗ |
| QLD | ✓ (SE QLD) ✗ (regional) |
✓ |
| SA | ✓ | ✓ |
| TAS | ✓ | ✓* |
| VIC | ✓ | ✓ |
| WA | ✗ | ✓ |
| Information correct as of October 2026. *You may be able to compare gas providers in Tasmania, but choice is limited, with only two retailers currently offering one gas plan each. |
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With Savvy, you can compare gas and electricity plans in NSW, VIC, SE QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT, electricity plans in TAS and gas plans in WA, making it easier to find an option that suits your needs.
What types of energy plans are available in Australia?
If you’re in a deregulated area, there will be two types of plans available: a standing offer and a market offer.
A standing offer is the plan your retailer puts you on by default if you haven’t chosen a plan or your previous plan has expired. However, it’s rarely the cheapest option.
A market offer is a plan you’ve actively chosen or negotiated with a retailer, often with lower rates, sign-up discounts or added perks attached. Most retailers offer several, so the exact savings on offer will depend on which one you compare and switch to.
If you haven’t switched plans or providers in a while, there’s a good chance you’re on a standing offer.
How are default energy prices set?
Standing offer prices depend on where you live and whether you’re on an electricity or gas plan.
Electricity
For electricity, governments set a benchmark price that limits what retailers can charge on a standing offer:
- In New South Wales, South Australia and South East Queensland, this cap is known as the Default Market Offer (DMO), reviewed annually by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
- In Victoria, the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) serves the same role.
- In Tasmania, this price is determined by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator. Aurora Energy is the default retailer that supplies all standing offer customers.
- In the ACT, electricity prices are regulated by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), which sets the maximum average annual price increase that ActewAGL, the default electricity retailer, can apply to its regulated retail tariffs.
In regional Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, there’s no competitive electricity market, and prices are set and controlled by the government.
Gas
Gas isn’t capped the same way in most of Australia, meaning retailers are free to set their own prices. The exception is Western Australia, where the WA Government regulates the maximum price retailers can charge households on a standard contract in the main gas distribution areas, including Perth.
Either way, a standing offer is unlikely to be the cheapest plan available to you. Comparing and choosing a market offer yourself is the best way to make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.
What’s the average energy bill in Australia?
The average household spends thousands of dollars a year on energy, though the exact amount depends on where you live, how much you use and the plan you’re on. Electricity and gas costs vary considerably between states and households, so there isn’t one figure that represents everyone.
For a clearer idea of what you might pay, see our electricity and gas plan pages.
How is your energy bill calculated?
Your energy bill is made up of two main charges: a usage charge for the energy you consume and a supply charge, which is a fixed daily fee for staying connected to the network, even if you don’t use any energy that day.
How you’re charged for usage depends on your tariff.
For electricity, common tariffs include:
- Single or flat rate: you pay the same usage rate regardless of when you use electricity.
- Time of use: usage rates vary depending on the time of day, with different prices for peak, shoulder and off-peak periods.
Even if you use both electricity and gas, and get them from the same retailer, they remain separate services. You’ll have one plan and bill for electricity and another for gas.
- Controlled load: certain appliances, such as electric hot water systems, are metered separately and charged at a different rate.
- Block tariff: your usage is divided into tiers, with the rate changing once you pass certain consumption thresholds.
- Demand tariff: part of your bill is based on the highest amount of electricity you draw from the grid during certain periods.
Gas pricing is usually simpler. Many plans use a single rate tariff, meaning you pay the same usage rate however and whenever you use it. Others use a block tariff, where usage is split into tiers charged at different rates. Some plans may also use seasonal pricing, with rates changing at different times of the year.
Understanding your energy bill
Under the Better Bills Guideline, energy providers must present your bill in clear, plain language, and prominently disclose if a cheaper plan is available to you, usually as a “better offer” statement on the first page.
Your bill will show:
- How your charges are calculated
- How much energy you’ve used
- Your supply address
- Meter details and readings
- Peak and off-peak periods, if relevant
- Discounts, credits or concessions
- Your retailer’s contact details
If your bill has gone up, these details can help you work out why. Common reasons include:
- Higher usage: seasonal changes, heating or cooling, or new appliances may have increased consumption.
- Rate changes: your retailer may have changed your usage or supply charges.
- When you use energy: changes in when or how you use energy can affect the cost under some tariff structures.
- Outstanding balances: an unpaid amount from an earlier bill may have carried over.
- Meter or billing issues: an estimated or incorrect meter reading can affect what you’re charged.
How does solar affect my energy bill?
Installing solar panels allows you to generate your own electricity, reducing your reliance on the grid and potentially lowering your energy bills. As of August 2026, over 4.5 million Australian homes and small businesses have rooftop solar.
When your system produces more electricity than you use, the excess is fed back into the grid. In return, your provider may offer a solar feed-in tariff (FiT), a credit applied to your electricity bill. The value of your FiT depends on your location, energy retailer and electricity plan, with rates in September 2026 ranging up to 11 cents per kWh.
FiTs are less generous than they used to be, so using the power you generate is often worth more than exporting it. If you’re still exporting a meaningful amount of solar, it’s worth comparing electricity plans with a higher feed-in tariff. Many retailers offer dedicated solar plans, which typically provide a higher FiT than standard plans, up to a limit, often between 8kWh and 12kWh each day.
Tip: Solar feed-in tariffs apply to electricity plans only, not gas. If you’re looking for a better FiT, you’ll need to compare electricity plans.
Types of energy plans
Energy changes in 2026
Default electricity prices fell
Default electricity prices fell under the Default Market Offer (DMO) and Victorian Default Offer (VDO) from 1 July, though the change wasn’t the same everywhere:
- In New South Wales, prices fell between 3.4% and 7.7%, depending on your network and tariff.
- In South East Queensland, prices fell between 7.2% and 10.7%.
- In South Australia, the change was mixed, down around 1.1% for time-of-use customers but up around 1.4% for flat rate residential customers.
Free midday power offers
Since 1 July, eligible households in parts of Australia can access free electricity for a few hours in the middle of the day, when solar generation is at its highest and wholesale prices are lowest.
The Solar Sharer Offer gives eligible households in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia up to three hours of free electricity each day, with no solar panels required.
Victoria’s equivalent, the Midday Power Saver, launched on 1 October and offers the same three-hour daily window to around 2.6 million eligible households.
Neither offer applies automatically. You’ll need to contact your retailer to opt in, and will need a smart meter to sign up.
Stronger protections against unfair pricing
New AEMC rules took effect from 1 July. Retailers can now only raise prices once a year for market retail contracts, customers won’t pay more if the benefits of their plan change or expire, and unreasonable late payment fees have been removed so fees must reflect actual costs. A further rule, requiring retailers to move hardship customers onto their cheapest available plan, takes effect from 30 December.
Separately, Victoria has gone further and banned the energy retailer loyalty tax outright from 1 July, requiring retailers to move any customer on an old plan onto a cheaper rate.
Why compare energy plans through Savvy?
How to switch energy providers with Savvy
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Tell us what you need
Let us know where you live and the type of energy plan you’re looking for.
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Compare tailored options
See all available offers for your address in one place, side by side.
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Choose your plan
Select the plan that suits your needs and complete your switch.
What if I’m moving to a new property?
If you’re moving to a new property, you can still compare plans through Savvy, though a couple of extra steps will be involved.
Before you move, you’ll need to make sure a meter is installed at your new address and set up an energy account. Some providers charge a connection fee to activate electricity or gas at the property.
You’ll also need to contact your current provider to close your existing account, which may involve a disconnection fee.
How to find a cheap energy plan
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Understand your bill
Break down your charges to see where you’re using the most energy. Identifying peak usage times or unnecessary fees can help you cut costs.
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Look for rebates or concessions
Government rebates and concessions can help you reduce your bill, if eligible.
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Take advantage of discounts
It’s always worth checking any sign-up discounts a provider might offer that could reduce your bill in the long or short term.
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Don’t assume bundling is cheapest
While bundling energy is convenient, you may find a better deal comparing electricity and gas plans from different retailers.
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Review your plan annually
Energy prices and offers change often. Comparing plans once a year helps you stay on the most competitive rate.
Energy comparison tip
"Before I moved into my first home, I'd never had to organise my own energy plan. When the time came, I was keen to secure an affordable plan with a competitive peak-hour usage rate. That’s because my partner and I primarily work from our offices, so we'd be using pretty much all our electricity during peak times. Fortunately, getting quotes from providers online and comparing them was super simple, allowing me to find a plan that suited my specific situation."
Pick an energy plan that works for you
Energy rebates and concessions in Australia
There’s a wide range of government schemes to help eligible households save on energy bills. Below are some of the rebates and concessions and available in each state and territory as of October 2026. Eligibility and amounts vary by state and territory and change regularly, so check your own state or territory government website for current details before applying.
Solar, batteries and energy efficiency
Beyond bill concessions, federal and state governments also offer support to reduce energy use itself.
The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme provides a rebate on new solar installations Australia-wide through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), while the Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers a separate rebate for battery installations.
Some states also run their own solar, battery or home energy upgrade schemes on top of these, though availability changes often, so it’s worth checking your state government’s energy website for what’s currently on offer.
