Choosing between commercial electricity companies can feel confusing because the “cheapest rate” rarely tells the full story. Your total electricity cost depends on how your site uses power, what network you’re connected to, and how your contract is structured.
This guide explains how commercial electricity providers work in Australia, what to compare (beyond cents per kWh), and how Zembl helps businesses secure competitive pricing without the admin.
What is a commercial electricity company?
In Australia, a commercial electricity company is usually an electricity retailer that sells energy to business customers and bills you for:
- Energy usage (kWh), which is influenced by wholesale electricity prices and your contract
- Network charges for poles and wires, which vary by distribution network and tariff
- Metering charges depending on your meter type and services
- Environmental scheme costs (for example, renewable energy obligations) bundled into retail pricing
Retailers do not physically deliver electricity, the local distributor owns and operates the network. What you can change is the retailer and, in many cases, the tariff and contract structure you’re on.
How to compare commercial electricity companies in Australia
To compare providers properly, focus on the pieces that drive your total bill, not just the advertised usage rate.
1) Understand your tariff type
Business electricity plans commonly fall into these pricing structures:
- Single rate: one usage rate regardless of time
- Time of use: different peak, shoulder and off-peak rates
- Demand-based tariffs: charges based on your highest interval demand (often 15 or 30 minutes)
Two businesses with the same annual consumption can pay very different amounts depending on when they use electricity and whether demand charges apply.
2) Compare the supply charge and fixed fees
Even if your usage is low, daily supply charges still apply. For multi-site portfolios, the supply charge can materially impact total spend.
3) Check demand charges if you are a medium or large site
If your bill includes demand, a “cheap” usage rate can be offset by high demand charges. Businesses often reduce costs by:
- Staggering equipment start-up times
- Managing peak load periods
- Reviewing whether a different network tariff is more suitable
If you are unsure whether demand charges apply, Zembl can confirm this from your bill during a comparison.
4) Review contract length, price type and risk
Commercial electricity offers may be:
- Fixed rate: price stability over the contract term
- Variable rate: can move with market conditions
- Hybrid: a mix of fixed and variable components
Price certainty can matter as much as headline savings, particularly for businesses budgeting across multiple sites.
5) Look for business-friendly billing and support
Service features can impact your admin workload, including:
- Consolidated billing and reporting for multiple sites
- Account management and response time
- Clear contract terms, fees and escalation pathways
6) Consider renewables and sustainability options
Many businesses compare GreenPower, carbon offsets, or renewable contracts to support ESG goals. These options can have different cost structures depending on the product and term length.
Best-known commercial electricity providers in Australia
Availability depends on your state or territory, your meter type, and whether the market is fully contestable in your area. However, common commercial electricity retailers include:
- AGL
- Origin Energy
- EnergyAustralia
- Alinta Energy
- Shell Energy (formerly ERM Power, strong in C&I)
- Simply Energy
- Red Energy
Rather than trying to pick “the best” retailer in isolation, it is usually better to compare offers based on your actual load profile and network tariff.
Do sustainable commercial electricity companies cost more?
Sometimes, but not always. Sustainability products can add cost (for example, GreenPower certificates) because they fund renewable generation. In other cases, longer-term renewable contracts can provide price stability and can be competitive compared with volatile market pricing.
The right approach is to compare sustainability options alongside total cost, contract flexibility and your reporting requirements.
Can you negotiate with commercial electricity companies?
Many businesses can negotiate, but results depend on factors such as:
- Annual consumption and demand profile
- Number of sites
- Contract term and start date
- State, distribution network and meter data quality
Negotiation also requires time, retailer follow-up and the ability to compare offers apples to apples. This is where a specialist comparison service helps.
How Zembl helps you compare commercial electricity companies
Zembl helps Australian businesses compare offers from a trusted panel of retailers, then handles the switching process if you approve a better deal. Depending on business size and complexity, support can include:
- Free bill review to identify your current tariff, rates and key cost drivers
- Comparison of proposals based on your actual usage
- Support for multi-site businesses, including consolidated account advice
- Sustainability options where suitable
- Ongoing bill validation for more complex accounts
If you want to start comparing options, you can explore Zembl’s business energy services or request a comparison.
- Business energy
- Compare business electricity
- Business electricity price comparison
- Compare business electricity charges
- Small business electricity
Checklist: what to gather before you compare providers
- A recent electricity bill (or 12 months if available)
- Your site address and National Meter Identifier (NMI) if you have it
- Trading hours and any major equipment that drives peaks
- Notes on upcoming changes (new sites, extended hours, solar installation)
Frequently asked questions
Is electricity supply interrupted when switching commercial electricity companies?
No. Your electricity supply continues because it is delivered through the same network. The change is administrative and handled between retailers and the market operator.
Why do commercial electricity prices differ between states?
Prices vary due to network charges, wholesale market conditions, and regulation. Even within the same state, different distribution networks can have different tariffs and cost structures.
Are default offers competitive for business customers?
Default or standing offers provide a safety net, but they are not always the most competitive option. Many businesses reduce costs by reviewing their contract before renewal and comparing market offers.
How often should a business review its electricity contract?
Many businesses review 3 to 6 months before contract end, and also after operational changes such as adding new equipment, extending hours, or opening new sites.
What is the fastest way to compare commercial electricity companies?
Start with a bill-based comparison so offers are assessed against your real usage and tariff. Zembl can do this quickly, then manage the switching process if a saving is available.
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