Compare Electricity Providers Queensland

Compare electricity QLD Let’s be honest: nowhere in Australia comes closer to paradise than Queensland. But between air con, water pumps, and appliances, electricity costs in the Sunshine State can really start to pile up. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could be getting a better deal on your electricity bill, you’ve come to the right place.

Can I choose my provider in Queensland?

When we talk about electricity in Queensland, it’s best to think of things geographically. South East Queensland, which includes Brisbane and the Gold Coast, has been deregulated since 2016, which means people in the area can choose their own provider. This deregulation also means that providers are free to set their own plans and prices. With all that choice, it can pay to compare energy providers to see if you can find a good deal. For those who live outside of SE QLD, electricity is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority. Households in this region get energy from a provider chosen by the government.

How much does electricity cost in Queensland?

If you don’t read your energy bill in detail each month, we get it. The way electricity bills are calculated can be a bit confusing. But before you start comparing providers, it can be useful to understand the makeup of your current bill. In Queensland, your monthly bill features two types of charges:

• Supply charge: sometimes called a Daily Supply charge, is the fee you pay to be connected to Queensland’s electricity grid. This is charged daily, regardless of how much power you’re using, and the amount due will depend on your provider.
• Usage charge: this is what you’ll pay for the energy you consume. And while supply charges tend to be pretty straightforward, your usage charge may appear as several line items on your monthly bill. That’s because usage charges are calculated based on energy tariffs, meaning you could pay a different price for energy during peak hours.

How do I choose an electricity provider?

There are a few other key differences between plans to keep an eye out for.

Tariff Rates

In SE QLD, customers can choose their tariff rate. These options are usually called something different by each provider. For example, the most common tariff in Queensland is Tariff 11, which is a single rate plan. Depending on the provider, you might see this called a Residential or Domestictariff. These simple tariff rates can offer more consistency with billing. Other tariffs with variable rates may offer more flexibility but could also be more expensive.

Usage and supply charges

Understanding how your provider bills for usage and supply charges could help avoid surprises when you get your monthly bill.

Contracts and exit fees

Some companies will charge exit fees if you leave them before your contract expires. Others may have special benefit periods at the start with lower rates that could go away after a few months.

Extra fees

Exit fees are just one cost you might find inside your service agreement. Look out for other potential fees like connection and disconnection costs or late payment charges. Once you have a good understanding of the plan details, it could be worth exploring any discounts or bonus features of the plan. For example, you may be able to get a discount for paying your bill on time or going paperless. Other providers have rewards programs that help you get discounts from other companies.

How do I switch electricity providers in Queensland?

Whether you’re moving house or just switching providers, our range of quality electricity plans and partners make it easy to switch. It pays to compare, so start by using our online Comparison Tool to see how the plans available to you stack up*. If you’re leaving your current provider early, you may be asked to pay an exit fee.

What rebates or concessions are available?

If you’re a pensioner or senior in Queensland, you may qualify for: - An Electricity RebateThe Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate, To be eligible for these rebates, you’ll need to have one of the following:

• Pensioner Concession Card;
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (and receive the War Widow/er Pension or special rate TPI Pension);
• Queensland Seniors Card;
• Commonwealth Health Care Card (Electricity Rebate only);
• Asylum seeker status—residents will need to provide their ImmiCard details (Electricity Rebate only).

You must also be the electricity account holder and live alone or with someone who also meets certain eligibility requirements. To apply for the rebate, you’ll need to contact your energy provider and complete an application form. The rebate will then be applied directly to your energy bill.

How can I save money on my electricity bill?

There’s plenty you can do around the house to reduce your energy consumption: turning off lights and appliances when you’re not using them, purchasing smart appliances, and limiting the use of AirCon are just a few ways you could reduce your energy consumption. Even if your household is super efficient, you could still be paying more than you need to each month. Our online comparison tool can help you compare our range of plans and providers in just a few minutes. Or if you’d prefer to speak with one of our consultants, call us for free on 13 19 20.

Sources:
1. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/energy/electricity/regulation-licensing
2. https://www.qca.org.au/
3. https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/energy-water-home/electricity/electricity-prices/electricity-prices-tariffs
4. https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions/energy-concessions/electricity-gas-rebates

Last updated: 21/06/2021