Compare electricity plans without the guesswork.
We track 3,700+ published plans across the market and benchmark offers from selected retailers against the government reference price for your network. Covering NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, ACT and TAS.
Your current yearly electricity bill $1,500
How comparing works
Enter your postcode
Your location determines your network zone and the plans available to you.
Answer quick questions
A little about your usage, or have a recent bill handy for the sharpest comparison.
See available plans
Electricity and gas plans from selected retailers, benchmarked against your reference price.
Switch online
The new retailer manages the transfer, with no interruption to your power supply.
Moving house?
Get electricity and gas connected at your new address, often by the next business day. A move is also the easiest moment to land on a sharper plan — you're choosing one anyway.
Set up a connectionBusiness energy
Small business electricity rates fall up to 14% in some regions from 1 July. If your business is on a standing offer, the gap to market offers is often wider than for households.
Compare business plansWhat power really costs in NSW
Every state has a government benchmark — the DMO or VDO. The gap between it and the cheapest plan we track is the starting point for any comparison.
Electricity price changes — 1 July 2026
From the AER's Final Default Market Offer Determination 2026–27. Most regions fall; South Australia is the only flat-rate increase.
| Region | Residential flat rate | Time-of-use | Small business |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW — Ausgrid | ▼ 3.4% | ▼ 3.7–7.7% | Reductions |
| NSW — Endeavour | ▼ 3.4% | ▼ 3.7–7.7% | Reductions |
| NSW — Essential Energy | ▼ 5.0% | ▼ up to 7.7% | Reductions |
| South East QLD | ▼ 7.2% | ▼ up to 10.7% | ▼ 10.4–14.0% |
| South Australia | ▲ 1.4% | ▼ 1.1% | ▼ 6.8–12.1% |
Source: AER Final Default Market Offer Determination 2026–27, 26 May 2026. Read the full breakdown
Built on data, not deals
Most comparison sites start with what pays best. We start with what the regulator says power should cost — then show you the gap.
Original benchmark data
We maintain reference price and plan datasets across 10 network zones, built from AER, ESC and Consumer Data Right sources.
Anchored to government benchmarks
Every figure is measured against the DMO or VDO — the same yardstick the regulator uses, not a marketing number.
A named human, accountable
Pricing pages are reviewed and dated by a named author, with a published methodology you can read and challenge.
Clear about how we're paid
We may earn a commission if you switch through our comparison partner. It never changes the price you pay, and we say so everywhere it matters.
James Baker, Founder. “I started EnergyPlans because energy pricing in Australia is deliberately hard to compare. Our job is to put the regulator's benchmark next to the market's offers and let the gap speak for itself.” About EnergyPlans · Our methodology
Solar households: typical Victorian feed-in tariffs have fallen sharply since minimum rates were deregulated from 1 July 2025. If your plan was chosen for its feed-in rate, it's worth re-checking the whole plan — usage and supply rates now matter far more than the export rate.
Solar feed-in tariffs by stateGas plans deserve the same scrutiny
Usage rates per megajoule and daily supply charges vary widely between retailers, and households that use both fuels may benefit from reviewing electricity and gas together.
Compare gas plans- Usage rates (c/MJ) across every tariff block
- Daily supply charges, often the quiet bill-inflator
- Whether a dual-fuel bundle stacks up on both rates
- NSW, VIC, QLD and SA natural gas networks
Tools that do the maths for you
Reports and insights
The 2026–27 reference price reset: what changes on 1 July
Flat rates fall in most regions as network costs ease. The full national breakdown, zone by zone.
26 May 2026 · James BakerSouth AustraliaSA is the only state where flat-rate prices rise
A 1.4% increase against falls everywhere else. Why South Australia bucked the trend this year.
26 May 2026 · James BakerQueenslandQLD small business rates cut by up to 14%
The biggest mover in DMO 8 is business tariffs in South East Queensland. What it means for SMEs.
26 May 2026 · James BakerThe reference price for a typical Ausgrid household is $1,810 a year, down 3.4% under the AER's DMO 8 determination. The cheapest market offer we track sits at $1,486 — an 18% gap to the benchmark at standard usage.
Reviewed by James Baker · 12 June 2026Source: AER Final DMO 2026–27 · Cite thisEnergy terms, decoded
- DMO — Default Market Offer
- The AER's annual price cap on standing offers in NSW, SA and South-East Queensland. Also the “reference price” plans are compared against.
- VDO — Victorian Default Offer
- Victoria's equivalent benchmark, set by the Essential Services Commission rather than the AER.
- c/kWh — Usage rate
- What you pay per kilowatt-hour of electricity used. The biggest lever on most bills.
- c/MJ — Gas usage rate
- Gas is billed per megajoule, usually in blocks that get cheaper as usage rises.
- Supply charge — The daily fee
- A fixed daily amount charged regardless of usage. A cheap usage rate can hide an expensive supply charge.
- FiT — Feed-in tariff
- What a retailer pays for solar electricity you export to the grid. Rates vary by retailer and state, and have fallen in recent years.
When did you last check your plan?
Reference prices reset in 17 days. A two-minute comparison is a good place to start.
How to compare energy plans in Australia
Comparing electricity and gas plans in Australia starts with your postcode. Energy prices are set at a local level — your distributor, meter type, and state regulations all influence the rates available to you. EnergyPlans is an independent comparison platform that uses regulated AER and ESC benchmark data to show you the real cost of plans in your area, with no hidden agendas. Enter your postcode, see plans from selected retailers side by side, and start your switch online.
Why electricity prices vary by state
Electricity prices in Australia differ substantially from state to state. Network costs — the charges for maintaining poles, wires, and substations — make up roughly 40–50% of a typical bill and are set by local distributors such as Ausgrid in NSW, CitiPower in Victoria, and Energex in Queensland. State governments also set different regulatory benchmarks: the Default Market Offer (DMO) applies in NSW, South Australia, and South-East Queensland, while Victoria uses the Victorian Default Offer (VDO). These benchmarks cap standing-offer prices and give you a reference point when comparing market offers. States with higher network costs or lower generation competition tend to have more expensive electricity. You can explore detailed pricing on our electricity prices by state page, or read individual reports for NSW, Victoria, and other states.
What to look for in an electricity or gas plan
Not every cheap headline rate is actually the cheapest deal. When comparing energy plans, pay attention to these key factors:
- Usage rate (c/kWh) — the per-unit charge for the electricity or gas you consume. Plans with lower usage rates save more for higher-consumption households.
- Daily supply charge — a fixed daily fee charged regardless of how much energy you use. A low usage rate paired with a high supply charge can still be expensive.
- Discounts and conditions — some retailers offer pay-on-time or direct-debit discounts, but these may revert to a higher rate if you miss a payment.
- Contract length and exit fees — most residential plans today are no-lock-in, but always check the fine print for benefit periods or early-exit fees.
- Solar feed-in tariff — if you have rooftop solar, the rate your retailer pays for exported electricity can make a real difference to your annual bill.
- Green energy options — many retailers offer GreenPower or carbon-offset plans at a small premium if you want to reduce your environmental impact.
How switching energy providers works
Switching electricity or gas providers in Australia is straightforward and free. Once you choose a new plan, the new retailer handles the entire process — there is no interruption to your power supply, because the physical network is managed by your local distributor regardless of who bills you. The switch typically completes within a few business days for smart meters, or up to two weeks for older meter types. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have a 10-business-day cooling-off period after signing up, during which you can cancel without penalty. You can start comparing plans now on our energy comparison page.
Compare electricity plans by state and suburb
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Electricity prices
Tools
Frequently asked questions about comparing energy plans
- Are electricity prices going up or down in 2026?
- Electricity prices are changing from 1 July 2026 under the AER’s final DMO 8 determination. Residential flat rate prices fall 3.4–5.0% in NSW and 7.2% in SE Queensland. Time-of-use prices fall in all regions — up to 10.7% in SE QLD. South Australia is the exception, with flat rate prices rising 1.4%. Small business prices fall across all regions. Read our full breakdown of the July 2026 electricity price changes. Read the full breakdown →
- Is this service really free?
- Yes, our comparison service is free for Australian households to use. We may receive a commission from a retailer if you choose to switch, but this does not affect the rates or plans you see.
- Which electricity and gas providers do you compare?
- We compare plans from major Australian retailers including AGL, Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia, Red Energy, Alinta Energy, Lumo Energy, ENGIE, and many smaller challenger brands. Coverage varies by state and postcode.
- Does the price depend on my state?
- Absolutely. Electricity prices vary significantly between NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and other states due to different network costs, distributor charges, and state regulations. That is why entering your postcode is important for an accurate comparison.
- Will my power be cut off when I switch?
- No. Your electricity supply is completely uninterrupted during a switch. The physical poles and wires are managed by your local distributor (such as Ausgrid, Energex, or CitiPower) regardless of which retailer you choose.
- How long does it take to switch energy providers?
- Switching typically takes between 2 business days and 2 weeks, depending on your meter type and distributor. If you have a smart meter, the process is usually faster. You have a 10-business-day cooling-off period under Australian consumer law.
- What is the Reference Price?
- The Reference Price (also called the Default Market Offer or Victorian Default Offer depending on your state) is a government-set benchmark price. All retailers must show how their plans compare to this benchmark, making it easier to spot a fair deal.
- How does having solar panels affect my comparison?
- If you have solar panels, you want a plan with a competitive feed-in tariff — the rate paid for excess electricity you export to the grid. Our comparison tool lets you filter for solar-friendly plans and factor in your feed-in credits.
- Can I compare gas plans as well as electricity?
- Yes. We compare both electricity and gas plans from retailers that serve your area. Some providers offer bundled energy deals that can simplify billing and may include additional discounts.
About EnergyPlans
EnergyPlans is an independent Australian energy comparison platform. We help households and small businesses compare electricity and gas plans from leading retailers across every state and territory. Our data is sourced from regulated AER and ESC benchmarks, and our comparison service is free to use. We are not an energy retailer — we provide transparent plan comparisons to help Australians make informed decisions about their energy. Learn more about us | Our methodology