Finding a better deal
The simplest way to save money on your electricity bill is to call your energy company and ask if a better deal is available. There could be greater savings if you are willing to change energy companies. We have listed a few different ways to work out if there is a better plan for you.
Ask your current energy company whether they can offer you a better plan.
Ask your current energy company whether you are eligible for any concessions or rebates. You can also check the .
You can search for a better electricity plan on or . You just need to upload your bill or enter your usage and the site can help you find a better deal.
Energy companies must show how their prices compare to a comparison price set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). You can use this comparison and estimated annual cost to compare deals from different companies.
Contact your energy company
You might not have to move to a different electricity company to get a better deal. Start by talking to your current electricity company to find out what deal they can offer you. If you are a solar customer your energy company will need to take this into account when advising you about a better offer.
You can use the comparison price set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to help you have a conversation with your energy company. For example, if you received a letter that your current energy plan is above the comparison price, you could ask: Is there a better plan for me?
You can also ask your energy company:
- Do you have a plan which is below the comparison price set by the AER?
- I need help paying my bill. What assistance can you provide?
- Am I eligible for a government concession or rebate?
You can ask these further questions to find out if there's a better offer for you:
- How does my current plan compare with the comparison price set by the AER?
A higher percentage off the comparison price will usually be a better deal for you. If your current plan is above the comparison price, ask your energy company if they can put you on a better market offer that is below it.
- Do you have a better deal at the moment?
Don鈥檛 forget to ask how long a deal lasts.
- Are there any conditional discounts on your plans? Can I save more by paying on time or setting up a direct debit?
You might save more by paying on time or setting up a direct debit.
If you are on a hardship and/or payment plan or are carrying debt, you should work with your current energy company to find the best plan for your circumstances.
If you move to a new energy company there鈥檚 a risk that your protections won鈥檛 come with you and your debt will fall due immediately and enter a debt collection cycle.
Check concessions or rebates
Concessions and rebates can significantly reduce your energy bills. Make sure you are getting what you are entitled to by speaking to your energy company or checking the .
Use a government comparison website
To work out if there is a better plan for you, on the Energy Made Easy website.
Energy Made Easy is a free Australian Government energy price comparison service for households and small businesses in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, that can be used to find and compare home and small business electricity plans.
Energy Made Easy includes all generally available offers from energy companies in your area. The website also includes information to help you understand energy offers and tips on how to reduce energy bills.
Customers in Victoria can visit .
Use the comparison price set by the AER
Using the comparison price set by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) helps you compare energy plans.
The comparison price is also called the Default Market Offer. The Default Market Offer is the maximum amount a customer on a standing offer should pay if they use the average amount of electricity in your area.
The comparison price or Default Market Offer is set on 1 July each year. This price applies to New South Wales, south-east Queensland, and South Australia.
You don't need to know what the comparison price is to use it. Electricity companies must show how their plans compare to this amount when advertising their offers. This must be shown as a percentage above or below the comparison price. This means you can simply compare the percentages for each offer.
Your electricity company must also tell you this percentage when they notify you that your prices are changing.
If you do want to know what the comparison price (Default Market Offer) is for your offer type and area, you can use the .
If you're not in New South Wales, south-east Queensland or South Australia
The responsible regulator in other states and territories sets their benchmark price. For example in Victoria, the Essential Services Commission sets the Victorian Default Offer.
Compare percentages
Electricity companies must use a percentage to show you how their advertised price compares to the comparison price set by the AER. This makes it easy for you to compare different electricity plans and prices.
A bigger percentage off the comparison price usually means a cheaper plan.
If your market offer is above or equal to the comparison price
If your energy company has put you on a plan that is 鈥榓bove the comparison price set by the AER鈥 you should ask for a better market offer, one that is below it.
If you can鈥檛 find an offer with a percentage less than the comparison price, it may be time to consider changing energy companies.
Example of how the comparison price is used to compare offers
| PLAN A |
PLAN B |
| 8% less than the comparison price set by the AER |
3% less than the comparison price set by the AER |
In this case, Plan A is cheaper than Plan B if you use the average amount of electricity in your area.
Compare this percentage across different plans to find a better deal.
Conditional discounts
Some plans take money off your bill if you pay on time or pay by direct debit. These are called conditional discounts. If there are any conditional discounts on an electricity plan, companies must compare them to the comparison price set by the AER.
You can also compare conditional discounts across plans.
Example of how conditional discounts is used to compare offers
| PLAN C |
PLAN D |
| 10% less than the comparison price set by the AER |
10% less than the comparison price set by the AER |
| plus an extra 5% off from the comparison price set by the AER if you always pay on time |
plus an extra 1% off from the comparison price set by the AER if you always pay on time |
In this case, Plan C is cheaper than Plan D if you use the average amount of electricity in your area and always pay on time.
Compare estimated annual costs
Electricity companies must estimate a cost for the year with all the discounts included. You can use this price to help compare different plans.
You may end up paying more or less for electricity than advertised. These prices are based on the average electricity use for your area. If you use more electricity, your bill will be higher. If you use less electricity, your bill will be lower.
The comparison price information on this page is for people in New South Wales, south-east Queensland, and South Australia who come are covered by the Electricity Retail Code. This table lists the energy regulators who set the benchmark price in other states and territories.
| State or territory |
Energy regulator |
| ACT |
|
| Victoria |
|
| Other parts of Australia |
Energy consumers in other parts of Australia have little or no opportunity to choose their energy company. |
