Business electricity plans: compare rates for your business (2026 guide)

Business electricity is a controllable cost, but most businesses only look at it when a bill spikes or a contract rolls over. The better approach is to treat your electricity plan like any other supplier contract: review it regularly, understand what drives the charges, and negotiate when you have leverage.

Zembl helps Australian businesses compare business electricity plans from a panel of retailers. For many SMEs, this can be done in a short call using a recent bill. For larger sites and multi-site portfolios, we can support a structured tender process through our commercial team.

Why businesses compare electricity plans (and when it matters most)

Even if your business has not changed, the market around you does. Wholesale prices move, retailer margins change, and network tariffs can shift as distributors update pricing structures. A comparison is most valuable when:

Your contract is ending soon: aim to start 3 to 6 months before expiry so you are not negotiating under time pressure.
Your bill increased: increases can come from tariffs, demand charges, metering changes, or higher usage, not just the cents per kWh rate.
Your trading hours changed: time-of-use and demand tariffs can become a poor fit if your load profile shifts.
You opened, closed, or moved sites: new sites can often access sharper rates when quoted correctly.
You installed new equipment: refrigeration, HVAC, EV charging, or solar can materially change the best tariff.

How business electricity pricing works in Australia

A business electricity quote usually combines multiple cost components. Understanding these helps you compare offers on a like-for-like basis.

Usage rates and supply charges

Usage: charged per kWh, sometimes split into peak, shoulder and off-peak periods.
Daily supply charge: a fixed daily amount, which can be significant for small users.

Network charges and tariff structures

Network charges pay for poles, wires, meters and local distribution infrastructure. These vary by state and distributor and can be impacted by the network tariff you are assigned. Common tariff structures include:

Single rate: one kWh rate across the day.
Time-of-use: different rates by time block.
Demand tariffs: charges based on your highest demand (kW) during certain periods, common for larger sites.

Meter type and data availability

Retailers price risk based on the data they can see. Interval meters, demand meters and smart meters provide more granular usage patterns, which can influence eligibility for certain plans and the accuracy of quotes.

Types of business electricity plans

There is no single best plan for every business. The right option depends on your appetite for price volatility, your load profile, and how long you want price certainty.

Fixed rate plans

Fixed rate contracts lock in usage rates for the term, which can support budgeting. These plans can be a good fit if your business prefers certainty and does not want to track market movements.

Variable rate plans

Variable rates can change over time. They can sometimes move down, but they can also rise, particularly in periods of wholesale volatility. These plans may suit lower-risk sites or shorter planning cycles, where flexibility is valued.

Time-of-use plans

Time-of-use plans can reduce costs if your business can shift consumption into cheaper periods. They can also increase costs if most of your load sits in peak windows. The key is matching the plan to your operating hours.

Market contracts vs standing offers

Many businesses are on market contracts with negotiated rates. If a contract ends, some accounts can revert to a standing offer, which is often less competitive. This is one reason to review early and avoid last-minute renewals.

Are small business electricity plans better?

Small business plans can be better when they are tailored to the way an SME uses electricity. A good small business plan is not just about a low headline rate. It is also about the right tariff, fair contract terms, and service features that reduce admin.

Benefits commonly available to SMEs include:

Lower total annual cost after comparing usage rates, supply charges and any demand components.
Clearer billing and account management options, including monthly billing for some retailers.
Better fit for trading hours with time-of-use options where appropriate.

Is business electricity cheaper than residential?

Sometimes, but not always. Larger consumption can unlock sharper unit rates because the retailer is supplying higher volume. However, some businesses face higher network and demand-related charges than households, depending on tariff type, meter configuration, and location. The only reliable way to know is to compare offers using your real usage profile.

Is there a cap on business electricity prices?

In the National Electricity Market (NEM), there are benchmark offers that can act as reference points for small customers in certain regions.

Default Market Offer (DMO): a safety net price set annually by the Australian Energy Regulator for standing offers in New South Wales, South Australia and south-east Queensland. It applies to residential customers and many small business customers on standing offers in those regions.
Victorian Default Offer (VDO): a similar benchmark set by the Essential Services Commission for Victoria.

These are not automatically the cheapest rates available, but they are useful benchmarks when you are checking whether your current pricing looks high for your area.

What to check when comparing business electricity plans

Two plans can look similar on a cents per kWh basis but differ materially in total cost and risk. When comparing, check:

Contract length (12, 24, 36 months) and any rollover conditions at the end of term.
Early termination fees if you move premises, restructure, or need flexibility.
Pass-through charges and whether any components can change during the term.
Billing frequency and payment options that suit your cash flow.
Metering requirements for time-of-use or demand-based pricing.
Green options if you are tracking emissions or have ESG requirements.

How Zembl helps you compare and switch

Zembl is built for speed and clarity. Our team can review a recent bill, benchmark it against available market options, and explain the differences in plain English.

Depending on your business size and complexity, we can help in different ways:

SMEs: fast comparison and switching support, often in a single call if you are eligible.
Large market and multi-site: structured procurement and tender support through our commercial energy team.

To get started, you can use any of these pages depending on what you need:

Frequently asked questions

How often should a business review electricity plans?

As a guide, review at least annually, and always start 3 to 6 months before your current contract ends. Also review when you change trading hours, add major equipment, or open and close sites.

Will switching retailers interrupt my electricity supply?

No. Your physical supply is delivered through the network. Switching retailers is a billing and contract change, not a change to the wires servicing your premises.

What information do I need to compare plans accurately?

A recent bill is the fastest starting point. It includes your NMI, tariff details, current rates and usage history. For more complex sites, 12 months of billing or interval data can improve quote accuracy.

Do discounts always mean a cheaper plan?

Not necessarily. Some discounts apply only to certain charges or require conditions. The best comparison focuses on estimated annual cost for your usage profile rather than the discount headline.

Next step: request a free bill review

If you want to know whether your current plan is still competitive, share a recent bill with Zembl. We will compare business electricity plans available for your location, explain the trade-offs, and handle the switching process if you choose to move.

Request your obligation-free review and take control of your electricity costs.