If you have landed on this page, you are probably ready to compare electricity offers because your bills keep creeping up or you suspect there is a sharper deal available. Whether you run a café in Sydney, manage a warehouse in Brisbane, or just want a better residential plan, understanding how plans work in the Australian market is the first step to cutting costs.
In this guide we break down how electricity pricing works for homes and businesses, what to look for beyond the headline rate, how government comparison rules affect you, and how Zembl can do the heavy lifting so you can get back to running your business or home.
How electricity plans work in Australia
Before you start looking at alternatives, it helps to understand the main building blocks that make up your electricity bill. Most plans from Australian retailers include:
- Daily supply charge, a fixed fee for being connected to the grid
- Usage charges, a rate per kilowatt hour for the energy you actually consume
- Tariff structure, for example single rate, time of use, or demand tariffs for some businesses
- Discounts and incentives, such as pay on time or direct debit discounts
- Contract term and exit conditions, including any lock in period or early termination fee
For small customers in deregulated states such as New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland, and South Australia, retailers set their own market offers but must comply with rules under the National Energy Retail Law and the National Energy Retail Rules. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) or state regulators set reference prices that help you compare electricity offers on a like for like basis.
For larger business customers, prices are often negotiated directly with retailers or via an energy broker. These deals can include bespoke tariff structures, demand charges, and pass through of network or environmental costs.
Key things to check when you compare electricity offers
Price is important, but the cheapest looking offer is not always the lowest cost in practice. When you review plans, consider the following.
1. Usage rates and daily supply charges
Compare both the cents per kWh usage rate and the daily supply charge. A plan with a slightly higher usage rate but a lower daily charge could work out cheaper for low usage sites, while high usage businesses may prioritise a sharper kWh rate.
2. Tariff type and how you use power
Your usage pattern matters as much as the rate itself.
- Single rate tariffs charge the same price all day
- Time of use tariffs vary by peak, shoulder, and off peak periods
- Demand tariffs for some business customers include an additional charge based on the highest kW demand in a period
Look at when you use the most power, for example evenings at home or daytime for a retail store, then choose a tariff that matches.
3. Contract length, flexibility, and exit fees
Check whether there is a fixed term, any early exit fee, or automatic roll over to a higher rate at the end of the contract. Shorter terms or no lock in contracts can suit businesses and households that expect to move premises or want flexibility as prices change.
4. Discounts and conditional offers
Many market offers include discounts that only apply if certain conditions are met, for example paying on time or by direct debit. Make sure you compare the effective rate after those conditions, and consider what happens if you miss a payment.
5. Green options and environmental charges
If sustainability is a priority, check whether the retailer offers GreenPower, carbon neutral options, or renewable energy add ons. Be aware that environmental scheme costs such as Small scale Technology Certificates and Large scale Generation Certificates are built into business tariffs and can affect overall prices.
Residential versus business electricity comparison
The way you compare plans is similar whether you are a household or a business, but there are some important differences.
Residential customers
Households usually choose from published market offers or standing offers. Key considerations include:
- Whether the offer is below the applicable reference price or Victorian Default Offer
- Any solar feed in tariff if you have rooftop solar
- Billing options such as monthly or quarterly billing and bill smoothing
- Concessions and rebates that may apply in your state or territory
Small and medium businesses
Smaller businesses on standard small customer tariffs can often switch to market offers in the same way as households. It is still crucial to align the tariff with your operating hours and demand profile.
For larger commercial and industrial customers on demand or bespoke tariffs, a formal procurement process can deliver better value. This can involve:
- Running a competitive tender across multiple retailers
- Choosing between fixed, variable, or hybrid pricing structures
- Considering pass through of network, environmental, and ancillary charges
- Reviewing metering data to optimise network tariffs before going to market
Zembl specialises in this type of complex procurement for Australian businesses.
How government comparison tools and regulations help
Australian governments provide comparison tools and consumer protections that make it easier to compare electricity options.
- In most states the AER requires retailers to compare market offers against a reference price so you can see the percentage difference on your bill or Energy Fact Sheet
- Energy Made Easy (for AER regulated states) and Victorian Energy Compare (in Victoria) let households and small businesses upload a bill and compare offers across the market
- Retailers must provide clear fact sheets and key price information, and there are rules around billing, hardship, and disconnection procedures
These tools are useful benchmarks. However, they do not always cover every bespoke business contract or the latest limited time offers, which is where an energy expert can add value.
Step by step: how to compare electricity plans efficiently
The process does not need to be time consuming. Follow these steps to make an informed decision.
Step 1: Gather your recent bills and usage data
Collect at least 12 months of bills if possible, or download interval data from your smart meter for larger sites. Note your National Metering Identifier, current tariff, average daily usage, and demand charges if applicable.
Step 2: Understand your goals
Decide what matters most to you
- Reducing cost immediately
- Gaining price certainty over several years
- Increasing the share of renewable energy in your mix
- Simplifying billing across multiple sites
Step 3: Shortlist suitable offers
Use independent tools or work with a broker to find offers that match your usage profile and goals. For small customers, online government tools are a good starting point. For businesses, an energy broker can approach multiple retailers on your behalf.
Step 4: Compare like for like
When you compare plans, ensure you are looking at the same assumptions:
- Same tariff type and meter configuration
- Same demand assumptions for demand tariffs
- All fees and environmental charges included
Ask for an annualised cost comparison based on your actual usage data rather than just headline rates.
Step 5: Check contract terms carefully
Review the contract, Energy Fact Sheet, and any special conditions. Pay attention to price review clauses, pass through of network changes, and what happens at the end of the term.
Step 6: Make the switch
Once you have selected an offer, the new retailer will usually manage the transfer from your existing provider. For most small customers there is no site visit or service interruption. For larger sites with interval metering or complex network arrangements, allow time for network approvals and metering changes.
How Zembl helps you compare and switch
Zembl exists to take the confusion and admin out of electricity comparison for Australian homes and businesses. Our service is designed to be fast, transparent, and completely free to use.
Free expert review of your bill
Upload a recent bill and one of our Energy Experts will review your current rates, tariff, and usage. We then compare offers from our panel of leading Australian retailers and identify opportunities to reduce your costs.
Tailored solutions for businesses
For SMEs we can often secure market leading rates from our retailer panel and arrange the switch on the spot. For larger commercial and industrial customers we provide:
- Competitive tenders and reverse auctions across multiple retailers
- Network tariff analysis and optimisation
- Advice on fixed versus market linked pricing strategies
- Multi site and multisite portfolio procurement
Support for homes and small businesses
If you are a household or small business owner, we can help you:
- Move to a more competitive market offer
- Review the suitability of your current tariff structure
- Understand how solar, batteries, or demand response could shape your future bills
Our role is to present clear options so you can choose with confidence. If none of the options suit you, there is no obligation to proceed.
Benefits of regularly reviewing your electricity plan
Energy markets in Australia move quickly. Wholesale prices, network charges, and environmental scheme costs change over time, and so do retail offers. Reviewing your plan every 12 to 24 months can help you:
- Avoid reverting to higher standing offers or default tariffs
- Capture promotional pricing as new retailers enter the market
- Align your plan with any changes in your usage, such as new equipment or extended trading hours
- Support your sustainability goals by shifting to greener energy options
Common questions when comparing electricity
How often should I review my electricity plan
Most experts suggest reviewing your plan at least once a year, or whenever your contract is due to expire. If your usage pattern changes significantly, for example you install new machinery or start working from home more, it is worth reviewing sooner.
Will switching retailer interrupt my power supply
No. In the National Electricity Market, the physical supply of electricity is managed by the network operator, not the retailer. When you switch plans or providers, your power stays on and the change is handled in the background.
Can I access better rates as a business than as a household
Often yes. Many retailers offer sharper rates for businesses, and larger energy users can negotiate bespoke deals. Zembl works with a panel of retailers that actively compete for business customers.
Do I need multiple quotes to compare electricity properly
For small customers, checking a few leading offers against the reference price is a good start. For medium and large businesses, running a structured procurement process across several retailers will give you a clearer view of value and risk.
What information does Zembl need to complete a comparison
For households and SMEs, a recent bill with your usage details and NMI is usually enough. For large market customers we may also request interval data, site and network information, and details of any embedded generation.
Take the next step with Zembl
If you are ready to put your bills under the microscope, we are here to help. Our team lives and breathes the Australian energy market, from small residential accounts to complex industrial portfolios.
Upload a recent bill or speak with one of our Energy Experts today. Together we can identify practical ways to reduce your costs, improve cost certainty, and support your sustainability goals.
For homes and small businesses, start your free comparison here:
- Visit our business electricity page at https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/compare-electricity-business
- Explore how to compare electricity plans for businesses at https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/compare-electricity-plans
- Learn more about finding the best electricity providers in NSW at https://www.zembl.com.au/energy/best-electricity-providers-nsw
For larger organisations, speak to us about tailored procurement strategies and energy efficiency solutions that go beyond a simple price comparison.
Zembl, practical energy solutions with measurable savings for Australian homes and businesses.
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