Energy costs in Canberra and the ACT depend largely on the electricity and gas plans you choose, so it’s important to pick the right one. With multiple providers available, comparing plans can help you find the best deals and save on your energy bills.
How does Canberra’s energy system work?
The energy market in the ACT is fully deregulated, meaning that energy customers are free to choose their electricity and gas providers and plans.
Although there’s only one distributor for each service, multiple retailers compete in the market, offering a variety of prices, discounts, incentives and fees for customers to consider.
Canberra is working to phase out fossil-fuel gas by 2045, transitioning to a fully electrified, renewable energy future. Until then, residents can compare a wide range of electricity and gas plans to find the best energy deals available in the capital.
What is the average energy bill in Canberra?
Your electricity bill depends on several factors, including household size, energy usage, the time of year, your retailer and plan, and where you live in Australia.
In 2025, standing offer prices in the ACT rose by an average of 7.05%, increasing bills by about $125 to $247 annually for households on these plans.
Using this baseline price, we estimated that the average electricity bill for a three-person household using around 5,000 kWh a year is about $2,050 in the ACT – roughly $171 per month. This is slightly above the Australian average, which sits at about $1,994 per year.
If your bill is higher than this but your household uses less electricity, it could mean you’re on a more expensive plan and there might be better options available for you.
How to compare electricity in Canberra
In the ACT, there are two main types of electricity plans: the regulated standing offer provided by ActewAGL, and market offers from competing retailers.
Standing offer
Electricity prices in Canberra are regulated by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). The ICRC sets the maximum average annual price increase that ActewAGL, the default electricity retailer, can apply to its regulated retail tariffs.
This regulated price forms the standing offer, which acts as a baseline rate for customers who haven’t chosen an alternative plan. If you don’t pick another provider, ActewAGL will supply your electricity at this standing offer rate.
Market offer
In addition to the standing offer, Canberra residents can choose from a range of market plans from competing electricity retailers. These often offer better rates as well as discounts and incentives that might suit your household’s needs.
Market offers can be fixed-term contracts, locking in a rate for the length of the plan, or variable contracts where prices may change. Since these offers update regularly, it’s important to review your plan periodically to ensure it still provides good value.
While choosing a market offer can save money compared to the standing offer, it’s important to regularly compare deals on the market to find the best fit.
Types of electricity tariffs in the ACT
Your tariff determines how much you pay based on when and how you use electricity. In the ACT, you may have access to several tariff types depending on your electricity provider and meter:
- Flat (single) rate: a fixed rate for all electricity use, no matter the time of day.
- Time-of-use: charges vary depending on when you use electricity, with higher rates during peak periods and lower rates at off-peak times.
- Demand tariff: charges based on your highest peak electricity usage during the billing period.
- Controlled load: applies to specific appliances like electric hot water systems, which run on a separate, lower-cost tariff managed by your provider.
Knowing your tariff type is important to help you understand your bill and manage your electricity use more effectively.
Cheapest electricity plans in Canberra
Here are some of the cheapest electricity plans available in Canberra through Savvy as of November 2025. The cheapest plan is 25% less than the current reference price for the ACT.
| Retailer | Plan | Estimated monthly cost | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Energy | Red Living Energy Saver | $170 | $1,992 |
| ActewAGL | Energy Rewards 25% | $171 | $2,006 |
| EnergyAustralia | Balance Plan | $214 | $2,514 |
| Source: Econnex, November 2025 Costs based on average 16.71 kWh daily usage |
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Electricity providers in Canberra
The ACT has one main electricity distributor, Evoenergy, which owns and maintains the physical infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home.
While you cannot change your electricity distributor, you can choose from multiple retailers – the companies that sell you energy and set your rates and plans. Retailers in Canberra include:
- Amber Electric
- ActewAGL
- Origin
- Red Energy
- Energy Locals
- EnergyAustralia
- Nectr
The ACT’s Pathway to Electrification
The ACT Government plans for Canberra to become the first Australian city to reach net zero emissions and 100% renewable energy by 2045. Since 2020, Canberra’s electricity supply has been powered entirely by renewables, meaning the grid runs on clean energy – though many homes still use gas for heating and cooking.
To encourage the transition away from gas, regulations were introduced in 2023 to prevent new gas network connections.
The government also offers programs and tools to help households manage transition costs and reduce their energy bills as they move toward a fully electrified future.
The role of solar power
Solar energy plays a major role in Canberra’s clean energy journey. In 2023, around 30% of households had installed solar panels, and by 2025, over 60,000 small-scale solar systems were in place. These installations allow residents to generate their own clean energy, lowering their electricity bills and carbon footprint.
To encourage uptake, the ACT government offers additional support programs for households on lower incomes on top of the nationwide Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, making solar more affordable and accessible for all.
Feed-in tariffs (FITs) further benefit solar users by crediting them for excess electricity exported back to the grid. As of November 2025, FITs in the ACT can be up to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, helping households earn from their solar power.
How to compare gas in Canberra
How gas plans work in the ACT
While Canberra is gradually moving away from gas power, many households still rely on gas for heating and cooking. Unlike electricity prices, gas prices in the ACT are not regulated or capped, so retailers can set their own rates without government limits.
However, with a choice of gas providers and plans, customers are free to compare and switch to potentially save on gas bills.
Types of gas tariffs in the ACT
Gas plans typically come in two forms: single-rate tariffs, where you pay a flat rate for all your gas usage, or block-rate tariffs. Block-rate tariffs charge different rates based on usage blocks – one rate for the first portion of gas used, and another for the next block.
Cheapest gas plans in Canberra
Here are some of the cheapest gas plans available in Canberra through Savvy as of November 2025.
| Retailer | Plan | Estimated monthly cost | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActewAGL | Simple Saver gas plan | $68 | $800 |
| Red Energy | Red Living Energy Saver | $74 | $871 |
| EnergyAustralia | Balance Plan | $85 | $1,001 |
| Source: Econnex, November 2025 Costs based on average daily usage of 40.24 MJ |
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Gas providers in Canberra
As with electricity, Evoenergy is the sole gas distributor in the ACT, managing the delivery infrastructure. While there are fewer gas retailers than electricity providers, you still have a choice of providers, including:
- ActewAGL
- Origin Energy
- Red Energy
- EnergyAustralia
Why compare energy plans through Savvy?
Tips for comparing energy in Canberra
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Know your energy usage
Review your recent bills to understand how much energy you use and when. This helps you choose a plan that fits your household’s specific needs.
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Compare electricity and gas plans separately
Cheaper electricity plans don’t always mean cheaper gas plans from the same provider. Compare each separately to find the best overall deal.
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Make sure discounts work in your favour
Discounts can lower your bill initially, but make sure to check the standard rates that apply once discounts expire to avoid surprises.
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Keep an eye on feed-in tariffs
If you have solar panels, check the feed-in tariffs offered by different retailers in the ACT. Rates can vary and affect how much you earn for exporting excess power.
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Review your plan regularly
Energy offers and prices change often. Check your plan at least once a year or when your contract ends to ensure you’re still getting the best value.
ACT energy rebates and concessions
If you live in Canberra or elsewhere in the ACT, you may be eligible for support to help with your energy bills or to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Energy Bill Relief Fund
Between 2024 and 2025, eligible ACT households received up to $300 in bill relief through quarterly payments of $75 applied directly to their electricity bills via the Australian Government’s Energy Bill Relief Fund. The program has been extended until December 2025, but these payments will end from 2026. This follows the $175 electricity rebate scheme that provided a one-off payment to ACT residents in 2023.
Local energy support
In addition to Australia-wide schemes, eligible ACT residents can access various rebates and concessions designed to help reduce energy bills and support energy efficiency at home.
| Energy concession | Purpose | Concession amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate | An annual rebate on household utility bills | Up to $800 | Pensioner Concession Card Low Income Health Care Card Health Care Card Veteran Gold Card ACT Services Access Card |
| ACT Life Support rebate | Helps households using electrically operated life support equipment to reduce energy costs | $150 | Eligible equipment prescribed by an ACT medical practitioner Used for treatment of a life-threatening condition |
| Medical Heating and Cooling rebate | Sub-category of the Life Support rebate to help people who have been medically diagnosed with the inability to self-regulate body temperature to cover their energy costs | $150 | Pensioner Concession Card Low Income Health Care Card Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Gold Card A medically diagnosed inability to self-regulate body temperature |
| Home Energy Support Program | Rebates to help with the costs of installing energy-efficient products | 50% of the total installation cost, up to $5,000 in total Up to $2,500 to install rooftop solar panels Up to $2,500 to install reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, electric stoves and ovens, and ceiling insulation |
Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card Australian Government Health Care Card Your property’s land value must be $750,000 or less for houses, units or dual occupancies, or $300,000 or less for multi-storey apartments |
| Access to Electric Program | A program to help homeowners experiencing financial hardship to electrify their property | Full cost of all existing gas to electric appliance upgrades and ceiling insulation | By referral only Determined through a financial capability assessment |
| Energy-efficient electric water heater upgrade | Money off when upgrading to an energy-efficient electric water heater | $1,250 off the purchase price $250 credit on ActewAGL electricity bill |
Must have an electricity plan with ActewAGL |
| Heating and cooling upgrade rebate | Money off when upgrading to reverse-cycle air conditioning | $2,500 off the purchase price $500 credit on your ActewAGL electricity bill. |
Must have an electricity plan with ActewAGL |
