Energy Australia Peak and Off-Peak Times: When Power Is Cheapest
Many households in Australia are now on time-of-use electricity plans, where the price of power changes depending on the time of day. Energy Australia applies the Time of Use (TOU)pricing to spread electricity demand more evenly during the day. That means you can shift some everyday tasks like laundry or charging devices, to cheaper hours.
In this guide, we will break down the Energy Australia peak and off-peak times, explain how the pricing works in different states, and share practical tips to help you use more electricity when it’s cheapest.
What Are Peak, Shoulder, and Off-Peak Electricity Periods?
Before introducing the peak and off-peak times Energy Australia, let’s look at what they mean in simple terms. In Australia, energy retailers take advantage of that pattern by offering time-of-use pricing. It divides the day into three main electricity price periods, and they are:
Peak hour: Peak hours are when electricity demand is highest. This usually happens in the late afternoon and evening when people come home from work or school. At this time, households often cook dinner, turn on heating or air conditioning, and use multiple appliances at once. Electricity prices during peak hours can be two or even three times higher than off-peak prices.
Shoulder hours: Shoulder periods sit between peak and off-peak times. Electricity demand is moderate, so prices are somewhere in the middle. Not every Energy Australia plan uses shoulder rates, but they are common in states like New South Wales and Victoria.
Off-peak hours: Off-peak is when electricity demand is at its lowest, usually overnight. Most people are asleep, so fewer appliances are running across the grid. Electricity is cheapest during these hours. This makes off-peak the ideal time to run high-energy appliances like washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers.
Energy Australia Peak and Off-Peak Times and Rates
Energy Australia doesn’t directly decide the exact peak hours. Those time windows are set by local electricity distributors such as Ausgrid, CitiPower, or SA Power Networks. Here are the specific Energy Australia peak and off-peak times based on Canstar.
New South Wales (Distributor Ausgrid ) Seasonal TOU
Summer (1 Nov - 31 Mar): Peak 2 pm to 8 pm weekdays; Shoulder 7 am to 2 pm & 8 pm to 10 pm weekdays + all weekend 7 am to 10 pm; Off-peak 10 pm to 7 am daily.
Winter (1 Jun - 31 Aug): Peak 5 pm to 9 pm weekdays; Shoulder 7 am to 5 pm & 9 pm to 10 pm weekdays + weekend 7 am to 10 pm; Off-peak 10 pm to 7 am daily.
Shoulder/Off-peak only periods (Apr-May, Sep-Oct): No peak; Shoulder 7 am to 10 pm daily; Off-peak 10 pm to 7 am.
Victoria (CitiPower)
Peak: 3 pm to 9 pm every day
Shoulder: Not applicable to most plans
Off-peak: 9 pm to 3 pm next day (9 pm to 12 am + 12 am to 3 pm)
South Australia (SA Power Networks)
Peak: 6 am to 10 am + 3 pm to 12 am daily
Shoulder: 10 am to 3 pm daily
Off-peak: 1 am to 6 am daily
Queensland (Energex)
In South East Queensland, Energy Australia often offers demand tariffs instead of traditional time-of-use plans. Instead of charging high prices during certain hours, demand tariffs measure the highest amount of electricity you use during a short period, usually between 4 pm and 9 pm on weekdays.
Note: Energy Australia does not operate in the Northern Territory. The NT has a completely separate electricity market outside the National Electricity Market (NEM) and is served primarily by Jacana Energy (government-owned). The off-peak (cheapest period) is 9 am to 3 pm daily, and the peak time is (all other times): 3 pm to 9 am daily (no shoulder period).
When it comes to electricity pricing, it can vary depending on your plan and distributor. In general, most Energy Australia time-of-use plans follow a similar pattern: peak electricity is often two to three times more expensive than off-peak power.
Average rates should be:
Peak: around 40 c/kWh or higher
Shoulder: usually between peak and off-peak rates
Off-peak: roughly 20-35 c/kWh
To help you better understand Energy Australia peak and off-peak times and rates, we have summarised the key details in the table below.
State / Provider | Peak Period | Shoulder Period | Off-Peak Period |
NSW (Ausgrid) Summer | 2 pm - 8 pm weekdays | 7 am - 2 pm & 8 pm - 10 pm weekdays + weekends | 10 pm - 7 am daily |
NSW (Ausgrid) Winter | 5 pm - 9 pm weekdays | 7 am - 5 pm & 9 pm - 10 pm weekdays + weekends | 10 pm - 7 am daily |
Victoria (CitiPower) | 3 pm - 9 pm daily | N/A | 9 pm - 3 pm next day |
South Australia | 12 am - 1 am, 6 am - 10 am + 3 pm - 12 am daily | 10 am - 3 pm daily | 1 am - 6 am daily |
Queensland | 4 pm - 9 pm (demand tariff) | Varies | Overnight (limited) |
Who Is Eligible for Off-peak Rates?
Now you know the peak and off-peak electricity times Energy Australia, as well as the average rates. It’s worth noting that not every household can automatically access off-peak electricity rates. To benefit from different pricing periods, your home needs the right type of electricity meter as follows:
Time-of-Use (TOU) meter/smart meter/interval meter: Fully supports peak, shoulder, and off-peak pricing.
Two-rate meter: It supports peak and off-peak rates, but usually doesn’t include shoulder periods.
Single-rate meter: It charges the same electricity rate all day, so off-peak pricing isn’t available.
In Victoria, almost every home already has a smart meter installed, so switching to a TOU plan is usually easy. In NSW, South Australia, and Queensland, eligibility depends on your local electricity distributor and whether you choose to opt into a time-of-use plan.
Some homes also have dedicated off-peak circuits for appliances such as electric hot water systems or pool pumps. These systems automatically run during cheaper electricity periods.
If you are unsure about your setup, check the meter information on your electricity bill or contact Energy Australia directly. If you are currently on a single-rate plan, upgrading to a TOU setup is often free. It can quickly pay off if you shift some of your electricity use to cheaper hours.
How to Reduce Your Bill by Using Off-Peak Hours?
Once you understand the Energy Australia peak and off-peak times and rates, lowering your electricity bill becomes much easier. The idea is simple: run energy-hungry appliances when electricity is cheapest. Here are some practical ways to do it:
Use appliance timers
Many washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers include delay-start timers. Load the appliance in the evening and schedule it to run during off-peak hours. This shift avoids high peak rates and helps lower everyday electricity costs.
Charge devices overnight
Recharge your phones, laptops, power tools, and electric vehicles during off-peak hours. Electricity prices usually drop overnight when demand is lower. Plug devices in before bed so they reach full battery by morning.
Batch your energy usage
Instead of spreading tasks across the day, place energy-heavy activities in one off-peak window. For example, do laundry, start the dishwasher, and recharge devices overnight. This approach takes better advantage of lower electricity prices.
Store energy with a battery
A portable power station makes it possible to store cheaper electricity for later use. Fill the battery during off-peak hours and use the stored energy during peak periods. This reduces reliance on expensive grid electricity in the evening.
High-capacity systems such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station make this strategy even more effective. With a large battery and strong output, it can store cheap off-peak power so you can run fridges, lights, fans, and more during expensive peak times, lowering your overall electricity costs.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus Portable Power Station is also a great choice for slightly lighter energy needs. It offers an expandable battery capacity with a continuous output and X-Boost capabilities to handle power-hungry appliances. Fast charging ensures the unit is ready to go quickly, while quiet operation keeps it unobtrusive at home. This makes it a practical option for storing cheaper off-peak electricity and powering essential appliances during peak-rate periods.
Conclusion
This guide has covered Energy Australia peak and off-peak times and rates. As you can see, peak periods usually fall on weekdays, while off-peak hours occur overnight and during quieter times. Peak electricity can be 2-3 times more expensive than off-peak, so shifting heavy energy tasks to cheaper hours can give your household real savings. Meanwhile, a portable power station makes this strategy even easier. Charge it during off-peak hours and use the stored energy during the evening peak to avoid the highest electricity rates. Ready to cut your bills and take control of your energy use? Explore EcoFlow portable power stations and start building a smarter, more energy-efficient home today.
FAQs
What is the cheapest time to use a washing machine in Australia?
The cheapest time to run a washing machine in Australia is during off-peak hours, which usually fall between 10 pm and 7 am.
Electricity prices drop significantly during these periods, so using appliances overnight can cut costs by nearly half compared to peak evening rates.
Many modern washing machines include delay-start timers, allowing you to load laundry after dinner and let it operate automatically while you sleep. This small change adds up over time and can noticeably reduce your monthly electricity bills.
What appliances should I use off-peak?
High-energy appliances that don’t need constant supervision are the best candidates for off-peak electricity. Washing machines, dishwashers, clothes dryers, pool pumps, and electric hot water systems can all be scheduled to run during cheap overnight hours.
This approach ensures that energy-hungry tasks are shifted away from expensive peak periods, so you can save money without affecting daily routines.
In addition, devices such as portable power stations, EVs, and home batteries can be charged during off-peak periods and then used during peak hours.
Do I need a smart meter for peak and off-peak rates?
Yes, to take full advantage of peak, shoulder, and off-peak rates with Energy Australia, a smart meter or interval meter is required. These meters track electricity usage by time, allowing the utility to apply the correct tariff for each period.
In Victoria, nearly every home already has a smart meter, while in NSW, SA, and QLD, eligibility depends on your distributor.
Most upgrades are free and simple to request. You can have instant access to time-of-use pricing and enjoy significant bill savings over time.