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      • Getting started—energy
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        • Compare electricity and gas market offers
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        • Get a home assessment
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  • Home
  • Energy
    • Energy-efficient living
      • Getting started—energy
      • Understand your energy bill
      • Electricity and gas market offers
        • Compare electricity and gas market offers
      • Home assessment
      • Off-peak, smart meters and time-of-use pricing
    • Appliances and equipment
      • Energy rating labels
      • Energy-efficient appliances
      • Swimming pools, spas and pool pumps
      • Energy-efficient outdoor equipment
    • Your home and rental
      • Building and renovating for energy efficiency
    • Lighting
      • Energy-efficient lights
    • Hot water
      • About hot water
      • Solar hot water systems
      • Gas hot water systems
      • Heat pump hot water systems
    • Heating and cooling
      • Understand heating and cooling
      • Windows, doors and skylights
      • Insulation
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      • Understand renewable energy
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      • Wind turbines and small hydro
      • Carbon offsets and abatement
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    • At work—what can we do?
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    • Babies and budgets
    • Back-to-school
    • Christmas
    • Energy-saving guide for Northern Australia
    • Home-based businesses
    • Home entertainment and technology
    • Outdoor living
    • Reduce your energy bills
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    • Seniors' guide to energy saving
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  • Energy
  • Energy-efficient living
  • Electricity and gas market offers
A man and a woman reading their electricity bill.

Compare electricity and gas market offers

One way to reduce your electricity and gas costs is to shop around to see if you're getting the best deal from your current energy retailer for your particular needs. This is especially important if you’re on a standard retail contract or have been on the same contract for years. Follow the steps below and use our handy checklist to compare wisely.

  • Better understand your energy choices
  • Save on household energy costs
  • See how your household’s energy use compares to others

At a glance

  • Savings 2
  • Ease 2
  • Impact 1

  • Take action
  • Rebates & Assistance 1

Do your research

  1. Estimate your annual energy costs under each contract. You'll need access to your previous electricity and/or gas consumption information. If you don't have previous bills available—your current energy retailer can provide you with this information.
  2. Select a calculator or estimator to help you compare electricity and gas offers in your area. Keep in mind that the calculators are intended as a guide only. It's important to consider the recommendations against your particular household circumstances and any exceptions that might apply.
  3. Be aware that some commercial price comparison services receive a commission for transferring customers to an electricity or gas retailer with whom they have an agreement. Government price comparator websites are independent and do no receive commissions.
  4. Do your research. When comparing offers there's a range of considerations to keep in mind—our energy offers checklist will help you know what to look for as well as the right questions to ask potential retailers.

Energy offers checklist

When comparing electricity and gas market offers ensure you:

  • Compare costs accurately. Ask retailers what their price is in cents per kilowatt hour (c/KWh).
  • Ask what the daily supply charge is. When comparing offers, check whether the charge is for the same number of days as on your existing electricity bill.
  • Check whether there are any extra fees such as for late payments or early contract termination.
  • Change your mind? If you recently committed to a new offer but you've changed your mind, you might still be able to exit the contract during the cooling-off period. It's a good idea to check what cooling-off periods apply as you compare offers so you know how long you have.
  • Dual fuel offers that combine gas and electricity may not be better value than separate gas and electricity offers. Check both options as part of your research.
  • Ask if anything extra is included in a market offer such as bonuses or savings. Check what you need to do to qualify for a discount, and ask whether the discount applies to the whole bill or usage charges only. Conditional discounts may not be worthwhile if you can't meet the condition. For example a pay on time discount may not be beneficial if you often struggle to pay you bill on time.
  • Check billing and payment arrangements—including how and when you're billed and payment options. Check whether time-of-use pricing or off-peak hot water is on offer.
  • Check contract conditions. Ask what happens at the end of the contract period for market contracts. Find out how you renew and what happens if you wish to change retailers or return to a regulated contract.
  • If you're a low income earner, pensioner or have a specific medical condition, check to see if you're eligible for any rebates and concessions.
  • Know your rights. Browse the EnergyMadeEasy website consumer rights and support pages. The website has a range of easy-to-read information about the best way to resolve a complaint, how to deal with door-to-door salespeople, your rights as customer and what to do if you're having trouble paying an energy bill.
  • Seek independent advice. Retailers must provide an adequate response to any questions or issues you raise. If you feel you've been misled or issues remain unresolved—you can contact the energy and water ombudsman or appropriate tribunal in your state.

Compare offers in your area

  • ACT Search for energy offers EnergyMadeEasy
  • NSW Search for energy offers EnergyMadeEasy
  • QLD Search for energy offers EnergyMadeEasy
  • SA Search for energy offers EnergyMadeEasy
  • VIC Compare offers with Victorian Energy Compare Victoria State Government
  • WA  Electricity pricing Government of Western Australia

Households in Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not yet have a choice of retailer. For details on current pricing and household energy tips you can go to your existing supplier.

  • NT Pricing and tariffs PowerWater
  • TAS Energy efficiency calculator and Energy saving hints and tips Aurora Energy

You can visit EnergyMadeEasy.gov.au to compare offers in some states and territories, understand energy tariffs and find out the average electricity usage for a household of your size in your area.

Rebatesort descending Available For Type
Energy
Home energy self-assessment kit ACT Home owner, Landlord, Renter Apartment, House

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