How do I compare electricity plans properly?

Compare the complete cost of each eligible electricity plan using the same household usage. Include the daily supply charge, electricity bought, export credits and any other applicable charges or benefits. The lowest usage rate will not always produce the lowest bill.

For an ACT or NSW home, the Australian Government's Energy Made Easy (opens in a new tab) service provides a free starting point for comparing electricity and gas plans. Have your bills ready and give the service as much relevant usage information as you can.

Choose two offers available for your supply address and compare them using the same usage record. Gather a full year where possible, so your home’s winter heating is represented. Keep a proposed EV or appliance upgrade as a separate calculation.

What information should I gather first?

Find your supply address, current plan name, recent bills and any notice changing your prices. Where possible, gather a full year of usage so the comparison includes different seasons. For solar, include billed imports and exports. If your home is changing, keep that future scenario separate from the record of past use.

Your postcode helps identify the area, but the offer must be available at the actual supply address and suitable for the meter. A tariff is simply the way you are charged. Meter type and configuration can limit which tariffs are available.

How can a cheaper usage rate produce a higher bill?

The daily supply charge applies even when you use little electricity. It deserves particular attention for a low-use home or a property used only some of the time. Compare its yearly cost with what a lower usage rate would save at your own level of use.

Illustrative comparison. Assume two flat-rate plans with the prices below, unchanged for 365 days, and no exports, other charges or credits. These are invented prices for explaining the calculation, not current offers.

At 5 kWh a day, Plan B's lower daily charge wins. At 20 kWh a day, Plan A's lower usage price wins. The break-even point here is 10 kWh a day. Your result needs your own eligible prices and use.

How do I compare time-of-use and demand plans?

A time-of-use plan charges different prices in different periods. Check its actual hours, weekday and weekend rules, and any seasonal differences. Put the same household use into each candidate plan's own periods. If you plan to move some use, show that as a separate, achievable scenario.

If a plan has a demand charge, request its measurement rule and the data used to estimate it. Put that charge into the comparison as well as the kWh prices. If the required data is unavailable, keep the comparison incomplete and ask the retailer to explain the missing amount before choosing a winner.

For your home, make sure the comparison includes winter heating rather than relying on a mild-weather month. Write down which loads you can realistically move into a cheap period. If the car is away during a daytime window, leave that charging outside the window in the calculation.

How should I compare solar and battery offers?

Compare the price of electricity bought as well as the credit for exports. Solar used directly at home reduces imports; surplus sent to the grid may earn a feed-in credit. A higher export rate needs to be considered alongside the other rates and conditions.

For a battery or VPP offer, add the confirmed benefit and any change in imports, exports or fees. Keep a one-off joining payment separate from recurring value. Ask for the assumptions behind an annual estimate, including battery operation and which tariff is used.

What do I do with discounts and sign-up credits?

Check what the discount applies to, how long it lasts and what you must do to receive it. A percentage off usage charges differs from a percentage off the total bill. Include applicable fees, and check the cost after a benefit period ends.

Show the first-year cost with any confirmed joining credit, then the cost once that credit has been used. Note when other benefits end and whether leaving affects them. That lets you judge the ongoing price as well as the initial offer.

Can I get a better plan without changing retailer?

Ask your current retailer which eligible offers suit your current use. If you’re with us, check the Best Offer information on your bill or use My.ActewAGL to compare and change available plans. Our plan guidance (opens in a new tab) also explains the more tailored discussion available when your circumstances need it.

Ask: ‘Can you compare my current plan with this offer using the same usage and solar exports?’ If you expect to add EV charging or electric heating, ask for a separate estimate showing those changes. Request the prices, assumptions and expected start date in writing.

What should I confirm before accepting?

• The plan name and ID, eligible supply address and required meter.
• Supply and usage prices, time windows, demand rules and export conditions.
• Benefits, their duration, fees and payment requirements.
• Whether prices can change and when the new plan will start.
• Concession handling, payment options and any relevant existing contract obligations.

The AER's switching checklist recommends obtaining the written plan summary, checking concessions, payment options and relevant fees, and confirming the plan name and ID. Ask the new retailer to explain the changeover process and timing for your supply.

Keep a copy of the comparison and its assumptions. Use Energy Made Easy (opens in a new tab) for a government comparison route, or read our plan guidance (opens in a new tab) if you are considering ActewAGL. Recheck any price or eligibility detail that is still unresolved before accepting.

Related advice: Why is there a supply charge when I barely use power? · Do I need a different electricity plan after getting solar, a battery or an EV?

Compare an ActewAGL plan with us

Use our plan guidance (opens in a new tab) to review the available options. Existing customers can compare plans in My.ActewAGL. If you’re with another retailer, have its bill and the rates you want to compare ready. We can explain the ActewAGL offers available for your address and the usage information needed for a useful comparison.

Compare ActewAGL plans and start signup (opens in a new tab)