Who’s the Best Electricity Provider in 2025? Compare Top Plans
Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of electricity providers in Australia? With rising energy costs and a plethora of plans to choose from, finding the best electricity provider for your needs in 2025 can be tricky.
Whether you’re a homeowner in Sydney, a renter in Melbourne, or managing a small business in Brisbane, understanding your options is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore the best electricity providers in 2025, delve into how to choose the right one for your circumstances, and share practical tips to help you save on your electricity bills.
Best Electricity Providers in Australia in 2025
Choosing the best electricity provider can feel like a lot to take in, especially with every retailer claiming to have the lowest rates or the biggest discounts. But the truth is, the best deal really depends on where you live and how much power you use.
To help you cut through the noise, we’ve rounded up some of the most competitive residential electricity plans currently available across each state capital. This guide uses:
Live pricing from trusted government sources like the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Victoria Energy Compare
The average amount of electricity used by a typical household each year in every state
The AER Default Market Offer (DMO) 2024-25 reference prices in each area
Now, let’s take a closer look:
Sydney, NSW — Ausgrid network
Based on 3,900 kWh/year usage
Reference Price: $1,810/year
Retailer | Plan | Supply charge | Usage charge | % Below Ref. | Est. Bill / Year | Key Features |
Ampol Energy | Powering On | 71.50 ¢/day | 28.27 ¢/kWh | 25% cheaper | $1,360 | 12-month fixed rates, carbon neutral |
Energy Locals | Home Classic | 93.00 ¢/day | 27.00 ¢/kWh | 23% cheaper | $1,390 | 100% GreenPower option, monthly billing |
AGL | Residential Smart Saver | 92.46 ¢/day | 29.11 ¢/kWh | 10% cheaper | $1,629 | $200 sign-up credit, BP fuel discounts |
Melbourne, VIC — CitiPower network
Cost assumes 4,000 kWh/year
Victorian Default Offer (VDO) is $1,456/year.
Retailer | Plan | Supply charge | Usage charge | % Below Ref. | Est. Bill / Year | Key Features |
Lumo Energy | Value | 88.71 ¢/day | 19.57 ¢/kWh | 24% cheaper | $1,107 | 12-month fixed rates, no exit fees |
GloBird Energy | BOOST Residential | 92.40 ¢/day | 19.40 ¢/kWh | 23% cheaper | $1,119 | pay-on-time credit; app tracking |
OVO Energy | The One Plan | 82.50 ¢/day | 20.68 ¢/kWh | 22% cheaper | $1,137 | No exit fees; 3% interest reward |
Brisbane, QLD — Energex network
Cost assumes 4,600 kWh/year
Reference price: $2,066 / year
Retailer | Plan | Supply charge | Usage charge | % Below Ref. | Est. Bill / Year | Key Features |
OVO Energy | The One Plan | 96.80 ¢/day | 26.04 ¢/kWh | 25% cheaper | $1,550 | 3% interest reward on unused balance |
Sumo | Sumo Switch | 92.84 ¢/day | 27.39 ¢/kWh | 23% cheaper | $1,599 | Ongoing plan with no renewal |
Alinta Energy | HomeSaver Essential | 100.94 ¢/day | 26.14 ¢/kWh | 21% cheaper | $1,630 | 12-month price freeze |
Adelaide, SA — SA Power Networks
Cost assumes 4,000 kWh/year
Reference price: $2,230/year
Retailer | Plan | Supply charge | Usage charge | % Below Ref. | Est. Bill / Year | Key Features |
OVO Energy | The One Plan | 126.50 ¢/day | 34.98 ¢/kWh | 17% cheaper | $1,860 | 3% interest reward |
Momentum Energy | Nothing Fancy Electricity | 146.96 ¢/day | 33.33 ¢/kWh | 16% cheaper | $1,870 | Reliable, no lock-in contract |
Origin Energy | Go Variable | 97.80 ¢/day | 41.24 to 44.58 ¢/kWh | 10% cheaper | $2,007 | 100% GreenPower option |
How to Choose the Right Electricity Provider
Now that you’ve seen some of the top providers, it’s time to choose the one that fits your needs. Here’s how to compare your options, avoid common mistakes, and make a smart switch.
1. Understand your current plan and your usage first
Before you look elsewhere, take the time to understand what you’re currently paying for. Pull out your past bills, check your smart-meter data, or log in to your energy account online. Here’s what you need to check:
How much are you paying monthly and yearly?
How many kWh you use in a year?
What’s your usage pattern?
What’s your current supply and usage rate per kWh?
Is the rate fixed or variable?
2. Start with the government comparators
Once you’ve reviewed your current plan, it’s time to compare your options. Start with the official tools.
Type your postcode into Energy Made Easy (NSW, QLD, SA, ACT, Tas) or Victoria Energy Compare. They list every retail offer and sort them by total annual cost, not headline discounts.
3. Benchmark against the reference price
Each network has a government-set “default” or “reference” bill. If a plan isn’t at least 10 % cheaper than that benchmark, keep scrolling.
4. Check supply and usage charges
Low c/kWh rates can be wiped out by a high daily supply charge, especially for apartments or low-use households. Compare both numbers side-by-side.
5. Match the tariff to your meter
If you have a time-of-use (TOU) or smart meter, a “Midday Saver”-style plan could slash costs when you run appliances outside peak windows. Flat-rate meters won’t benefit.
6. Decide on fixed vs variable pricing
Fixed-rate contracts lock in unit prices for 12 months, giving bill certainty, but they often come with exit fees. Variable-rate plans fluctuate with the market. You may save more in the short term, but costs can spike without warning. Review the pros and cons before you pick.
7. Ignore shiny conditional discounts
Late-payment or direct-debit discounts look generous but vanish if you miss a step. Focus on the “guaranteed discount” or, better yet, the annual dollar estimate.
8. Factor in green credentials and solar perks
If you value clean energy, look for 100 % GreenPower add-ons or retailers with carbon-neutral certification. Have solar panels on your roof? Compare feed-in tariffs just as closely as supply rates.
9. Check for additional benefits
Some providers throw in extra perks like loyalty programs, which can enhance the overall value of the plan. Others might offer Dual fuel plans at bundled discounts, convenient if you’re looking for the best gas and electricity provider and want a single bill.
10. Check service scores and support tools
Cheap rates mean little if you can’t reach support when something goes wrong. Look at independent customer-service ratings and whether the retailer offers app tracking or bill-smoothing.
Practical Tips for Saving on Your Electricity Bills
Switching providers regularly is a smart move, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. With electricity prices climbing, try these tips to cut down your energy use and save even more money:
Switch off standby power
Many appliances consume energy even when they’re not in active use, a phenomenon known as “standby power” or “phantom load.” Devices like TVs, microwaves, and chargers can add up to 10% of your electricity bill. Unplugging these devices or using a smart power board can help eliminate unnecessary energy use.
Optimize heating and cooling
Heating and cooling account for a substantial portion of household energy use. Set your thermostat to 18–20°C in winter and 25–27°C in summer. Each degree of heating or cooling can increase energy usage by about 5–10%. Additionally, using ceiling fans and ensuring your home is well-insulated can enhance efficiency.
Use appliances efficiently
Operate dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads and opt for cold water washes when possible. Air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer can also lead to significant savings.
Seal drafts and insulate
Preventing air leaks by sealing gaps around doors and windows can maintain indoor temperatures and reduce the need for heating or cooling. Adding insulation to your roof and walls further enhances energy efficiency.
Monitor your energy usage
Installing a smart meter or using energy monitoring apps can provide insights into your consumption patterns, helping you identify areas where you can cut back.
Consider renewable energy options
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution to reduce your electricity bills, investing in renewable energy is one of the smartest moves you can make. Installing rooftop solar and battery systems has become increasingly affordable across Australia.
Most homes recover the upfront cost within four to seven years, thanks to solar rebates, feed-in tariffs, and rising daytime rates. But not everyone can or wants to install a full solar system, and that’s where a flexible, high-performance home solar generator really shines.
Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or travel off-grid, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 portable power station makes renewable energy more accessible. It offers a huge 4kWh battery capacity (expandable up to 12kWh), letting you store solar energy during the day and use it at night or during outages.
to power appliances—without needing a full rooftop setup. And with EcoFlow’s unique X-Fusion technology, the unit can handle 4000W of continuous output, even during AC charging. That means it’s powerful enough to run multiple high-demand appliances at once, making it ideal for backup power, energy savings, or everyday use.
Recharging is just as snappy: up to 4,000W AC wall input (0–80 % in 50 minutes) or combine wall, car, and up to 2,600W of solar for a blistering 7,000 W multi-charge. Pair it with the solar panels, and you’ve got a truly portable solar generator that can shave a decent amount off your daily grid draw.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Conclusion
Navigating the energy market doesn’t have to be complicated. By staying informed and proactive, you can identify the best electricity provider that aligns with your lifestyle and budget. Take a little time now and then to review your energy plan, get familiar with how much power you’re using, and try out a few simple energy-saving habits. It can really add up to big savings.
And if you’re ready to take the next step, consider investing in solar panels and batteries. It’s a great way to start generating your own clean energy and save even more over time.
FAQs
Who is the cheapest energy supplier in QLD?
As of May 2025, OVO Energy offers some of the most affordable electricity plans in Queensland. Their “The One Plan” is approximately 25% below the reference price, with an estimated annual cost of around $1,550 for typical households on the Energex network. Close runners-up are Sumo’s “Sumo Switch”, offering 23% lower, and Alinta Energy’s “HomeSaver Essential”, which is roughly 21% under the benchmark.
Which electricity provider is the best?
“Best” depends on what you value, but survey and award data point to Red Energy for overall customer satisfaction and Powershop and OVO Energy for outstanding value in both NSW and QLD, thanks to consistently low rates and strong digital tools. Eco-minded households may also like Powershop’s default 100 % carbon-offset plans, while larger retailers such as Origin and EnergyAustralia win plaudits for fixed-rate options and bundle discounts.
Who has the highest electricity prices in Australia?
New South Wales is set to have the country’s dearest default bills from 1 July 2025. The AER’s final Default Market Offer lifts Essential Energy’s average residential cost to about $2,741 a year, outstripping all other mainland networks. By unit rate, South Australia remains tops at roughly 44 c/kWh, so the “most expensive” tag depends on whether you look at annual bill or per-kWh pricing.
Who has the lowest price for electricity?
Victoria consistently posts the lowest market-offer prices, with Tango Energy, Momentum Energy and GloBird plans on CitiPower and United Energy networks coming in 20–25 percent below the Victorian Default Offer (around $1,090–$1,250 a year for average usage). Low wholesale prices and fierce retailer competition keep unit charges in parts of Melbourne near 24 c/kWh, well under every other state.