Victorian Off-Peak Electricity Times: When Power Is Cheapest
If you're on a time-of-use energy plan in Victoria, Australia, your electricity rates change depending on the time of day. To cut down on your energy bills, it makes sense to take advantage of off-peak electricity times—these are the hours when power costs the least.
This article provides a complete overview of Victorian off-peak electricity times—what they are, when they occur, and how to make the most of them. You'll also discover practical tips on how to store and use electricity more efficiently during these cheaper periods. Let’s get into it!
What Is Off-Peak Electricity?
Off-peak electricity times are the times of the day when the demand for electricity is lowest, usually at night, on public holidays, and on weekends.
To balance the load on the grid, energy suppliers offer various pricing incentives to encourage customers to use electricity during these times. The grid remains active around the clock, so using power during low-demand periods helps avoid wasting generated electricity.
Keep in mind that off-peak schedules and pricing can differ across Australian states and territories. The final cost you pay depends on your local energy distributor’s pricing structure.
Typical Victoria Electricity Off Peak Times
In Victoria, electricity pricing often follows a time-of-use structure, where rates vary depending on the time of day. For residential customers, off-peak times usually fall outside the 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM window, while small business customers typically see off-peak pricing outside weekday business hours. Understanding these typical patterns can help you plan energy usage more efficiently and take advantage of lower rates when demand is lower.
Here’s a simple table to show you the peak and off-peak electricity times Victoria.
Distribution zone | Residential customers | Small Business Customers | ||||||
Peak Time | Off-Peak Time | Peak Time | Off-Peak Time | |||||
Time | Price | Time | Price | Time | Price | Time | Price | |
AusNet Services | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily | $0.4716 | All other times | $0.4716 | 9:00 Am to 9:00 PM (local time) weekdays | $0.3953 | All other times | $0.2153 |
CitiPower | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily | $0.3446 | All other times | $0.3446 | 9:00 Am to 9:00 PM (local time) weekdays | $0.3145 | All other times | $0.1857 |
Jemena | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily | $0.3870 | All other times | $0.3870 | 9:00 Am to 9:00 PM (local time) weekdays | $0.3650 | All other times | $0.2009 |
Powercor | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily | $0.4052 | All other times | $0.4052 | 9:00 Am to 9:00 PM (local time) weekdays | $0.3739 | All other times | $0.2047 |
United Energy | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM daily | $0.3830 | All other times | $0.3830 | 9:00 Am to 9:00 PM (local time) weekdays | $0.3453 | All other times | $0.1969 |
How to Check If You're Eligible for Off-Peak Rates?
In Victoria, your electricity plan and meter setup determine if you can access off-peak rates. There are two main pricing structures:
Single-rate tariffs: You pay the same rate for electricity at all times. It’s simple, but you won’t benefit from lower off-peak pricing.
Time-of-use tariffs: Electricity rates change depending on when you use power. Off-peak hours, often overnight or early morning, are significantly cheaper.
Most households are still on a single-rate plan. To access off-peak pricing, you’ll need to switch to a time-of-use tariff with your retailer and confirm that your usage patterns suit it. This change usually involves signing a new agreement and having a smart meter installed.
Your eligibility mainly depends on:
The type of electricity meter installed at your property
How your meter is currently configured
The table below outlines the most common meter types and whether they support off-peak pricing:
Meter Configuration | Eligible for Off-Peak | Description |
Time of Use (Interval) | Yes | Charges electricity at three different rates: peak, off-peak, and shoulder |
Two Rate | Yes | Charges electricity at two rates: peak and off-peak |
Single Rate | No | Charges one fixed rate regardless of time of day |
Dedicated Circuit | Yes | Charges a specific appliance (e.g., hot water system) at off-peak rates |
To check if you’re eligible, review your electricity bill for any mention of a time-of-use tariff or controlled load. If it’s not clear, reach out to your retailer or check their website for details about your current plan and meter setup.
Should I Use Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Rates?
Time-of-use pricing benefits both the grid and users by balancing supply and demand while helping save on electricity bills. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. Use the information in this section to decide if this option is right for you.
While choosing a time-of-use tariff plan with peak and off-peak electricity times Victoria will allow you to enjoy lower electricity rates during off-peak hours, the cost of using electricity during peak hours will increase accordingly.
If you and your family are used to using electricity in the early evening and have difficulty shifting your electricity use to off-peak hours, then staying on a single rate may be better for you. That way, no matter what time of day you use electricity, the cost is always the same, and you don't have to worry about your bill fluctuating dramatically depending on the time of day.
However, if you use electricity more often during the day or in the late evening, it will be more beneficial to use peak and off-peak rates. Especially if your home is equipped with solar panels or a home power generator, this option is tailor-made and worth taking the plunge.
Whatever your final choice, stay tuned to the latest tariff policies published by your supplier. If you decide to change your electricity plan, be sure to contact your supplier in a timely manner to complete the agreement and install a smart meter as required.
Tips to Maximise Off-Peak Savings
Now that you know how off-peak rates work, you might wonder if you can use off-peak electricity more and store some for peak hours. The good news is, you can. This saves money and eases peak-hour electricity worries. Here are some tips to help you make the most of off-peak times in Victoria:
1. Use High-Consumption Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
To reduce electricity costs, try to run energy-intensive appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers during off-peak hours. If your home has electric hot water systems or pool pumps, scheduling them to operate during these times can also help save on energy bills.
2. Charge Devices During Off-Peak Hours
Plug in your phone, laptop, and other rechargeable devices during off-peak hours to take advantage of cheaper electricity rates. It’s an easy habit that can help cut down your power bill over time, especially if you charge multiple devices each day. Just set a reminder and let them charge while you sleep.
3. Matching Solar Power System
If you have solar panels, try to match your energy use with when your system generates the most power, usually during the day. Running appliances like dishwashers or washing machines at midday helps you rely less on the grid. It’s a smart way to use more of your own solar energy and reduce costs.
4. Use a Portable Power Station
A portable power station lets you store electricity during off-peak hours when rates are lower, then use it later during peak times. It’s handy for powering small appliances, keeping your Wi-Fi running, or charging devices without relying on expensive peak-time energy from the grid.
To maximise off-peak savings, using a high-capacity power station allows you to store more electricity during cheaper hours and use it when rates are higher. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station holds 4kWh per unit, ideal for running larger appliances without tapping into peak-rate power.
Expandable to 12kWh and with a 4000W output, it gives households the flexibility to shift a significant portion of their daily usage to off-peak pricing, helping reduce overall electricity bills while maintaining full functionality during peak hours or outages.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Conclusion
Knowing how Victorian off-peak electricity times work gives you a real chance to cut down on energy costs. In most areas, off-peak times run from 9:00 PM to 3:00 PM the next day, when electricity rates are much lower. Shifting tasks like laundry, dishwashing, or charging devices to these hours can lead to real savings. For even more flexibility and backup during peak hours or outages, EcoFlow offers a reliable and user-friendly way to store and access power anytime.
FAQs
What is the cheapest time to use electricity in Victoria?
The cheapest time to use electricity in Victoria is during off-peak hours—typically from 9:00 PM to 3:00 PM the following day. During this period, power rates drop significantly, helping lower your energy bill. Scheduling tasks like laundry, dishwashing, and device charging at night or early morning allows you to take advantage of these reduced rates and stretch your electricity dollars further.
What are the off-peak times for AGL in Victoria?
In Victoria, AGL’s time‑of‑use plans generally offer:
Peak hours: 3 PM – 9 PM daily (all week)
Off‑peak hours: 9 PM – midnight and midnight – 3 PM daily (all week)
These off‑peak slots cover about 75% of the week, making it easier to shift energy‑intensive tasks outside peak times. If you’re on an AGL plan with time‑of‑use pricing in Victoria, aim to run appliances like dishwashers or heaters during these off‑peak windows to cut down on electricity costs.
Can I switch to a time-of-use plan if I have a smart meter?
Yes, having a smart meter is essential for switching to a time-of-use plan since it records your electricity use in real-time. To activate this plan, you may also need to sign a contract with your electricity supplier. Once set up, you can benefit from different rates based on the time you use electricity.