Energy Broker: How Australian Businesses Save on Energy

Energy broker services for businesses

A specialist intermediary works between your organisation and energy retailers to help you secure suitable electricity and gas contracts. They focus on analysing your usage, going to market on your behalf, and managing contracts so your team does not have to become energy experts.

For commercial and industrial users in the national electricity market, this support can include:

Reviewing recent bills to understand consumption and demand charges
Checking whether your current tariffs and demand thresholds are appropriate
Running tenders to a panel of retailers and comparing offers
Negotiating pricing structures, contract terms, and pass-through charges
Coordinating the paperwork and transfer process when you change retailer
Monitoring contract end dates so you avoid falling onto higher default pricing

Instead of dealing with multiple retailers yourself, you work with a single specialist who presents clear options and recommendations.

Why larger users often work with specialists

Complex tariffs and demand charges

Commercial energy bills in Australia usually include a mix of usage rates, demand charges, network fees, and environmental scheme costs. For large market customers, there can also be separate peak, shoulder, and off‑peak components and seasonal variations.

A specialist can review interval data, identify when and where you are using the most energy, and highlight opportunities such as demand management or tariff changes that might reduce total cost rather than just the headline cents per kWh.

Time savings for your finance and operations teams

Going to market for electricity and gas is a project in its own right. Gathering data, speaking with multiple retailers, reviewing tender responses, and understanding proposed terms all take time.

With external support, your internal teams can stay focused on core priorities while still getting a robust procurement outcome. The external team handles market analysis, pricing comparisons, and negotiations, then presents the commercial options in a concise format for decision‑makers.

Portfolio management for multi‑site businesses

Businesses that operate across several locations often have a mix of contract start dates, retailers, and tariff structures. This can make budgeting and administration more difficult.

A specialist can help you:

Consolidate sites into fewer contract events where appropriate
Align end dates so renewals become easier to manage
Standardise billing formats for finance teams
Identify outlier sites that are using more energy than expected

If you manage multiple locations, it is worth reviewing whether portfolio procurement could simplify your administration and potentially unlock sharper pricing.

How the process typically works in Australia

1. Data collection and usage review

The process usually starts with a review of recent invoices and, for larger users, interval data from the meter. This shows how much electricity and gas you use, when you use it, and how your demand profile behaves during peak periods.

At this stage, many businesses also ask for bill validation so that any historical billing issues can be identified and discussed with the incumbent retailer.

2. Market scan and tender

Once usage is understood, the specialist will approach a panel of retailers, or in some cases the wider market, to request pricing. The request will typically specify contract length, expected load, preferred start date, and any particular requirements such as green products or flexible volume bands.

Retailers respond with quotes that include energy rates, environmental charges, and details about non‑price terms like credit requirements and flexibility around consumption. These responses are then compiled into an easy‑to‑compare format.

3. Evaluation and recommendation

Your adviser will review the responses and provide commentary on:

Relative competitiveness of pricing
Strengths and weaknesses of contract terms
Risk exposure to wholesale price movements
Alignment with your risk appetite and budgeting needs

They will often model different contract lengths or structures so you can weigh up the trade‑off between short‑term flexibility and longer‑term price certainty.

4. Contract execution and transfer

Once you choose a preferred offer, the adviser organises paperwork, coordinates signatures, and submits the acceptance to the retailer. They will also liaise with metering providers and distribution businesses where required so that the transfer proceeds smoothly.

During this stage, they monitor progress until the new contract is live and will help resolve any unexpected issues that arise at the time of transfer or first billing.

5. Ongoing support and future renewals

After the contract starts, ongoing services might include:

Checking new invoices for accuracy
Reviewing network tariffs annually to test whether you are on an appropriate structure
Advising when market conditions might make an early renewal worth exploring
Helping you assess opportunities like on‑site solar or power factor correction

Working with a long‑term partner means your procurement strategy can evolve alongside changes in your operations, market conditions, and regulatory settings.

Australian regulatory and market context

The national framework for electricity and gas involves several regulators, market bodies, and distributors. For businesses, some of the key elements include:

The Australian Energy Regulator, which oversees retail pricing frameworks and network regulation in the national electricity market
The Australian Energy Market Operator, which operates the wholesale electricity and gas markets and manages system security
State and territory regulators that oversee retail licensing, hardship policies, and consumer protections in their jurisdictions

In addition, many commercial customers are covered by voluntary industry initiatives such as customer codes of conduct that set minimum standards for transparency, disclosure of fees, and dispute resolution.

An experienced adviser will explain how these arrangements affect your contracts and obligations and can help ensure you only sign agreements that are fit for purpose.

Support with sustainability and green products

For many Australian organisations, reducing emissions and demonstrating progress against sustainability strategies is increasingly important. Energy procurement decisions can play a central role.

Options that your adviser may help you explore include:

Electricity products linked to large‑scale generation certificates or government‑accredited renewable schemes
Carbon neutral electricity or gas backed by recognised offset projects
Long‑term arrangements that support new renewable generation projects
Combining on‑site solutions such as solar or efficiency upgrades with retail contract choices

Choosing the right mix depends on your budget, reporting frameworks, and appetite for longer‑term commitments. A specialist who understands both pricing and emissions accounting can help you navigate these decisions.

When should a business review its contracts?

Most commercial users benefit from looking at their upcoming contract expiries well before the end date shown on their invoices. This is because pricing in wholesale markets can move quickly, and retailers often need notice to structure and approve competitive offers.

As a guide, it is common for larger users to start assessing options 12 to 24 months before expiry, and for smaller commercial customers to begin the process at least three to six months ahead.

Other common trigger points for a review include:

Significant changes in load, such as opening or closing a site
New equipment that materially changes demand patterns
Moving to a new premises or renegotiating a lease
Strategic decisions around electrification or fuel switching

If you are unsure whether now is the right time to review, consider requesting a high‑level market check so you can understand where your current pricing sits relative to recent offers.

Questions to ask before choosing an adviser

Not all providers operate in the same way. When deciding who to work with, it can be useful to ask:

How are you remunerated and do retailers pay any fees or commissions?
Which retailers do you work with and how many typically respond to a tender?
What level of reporting and documentation will we receive when you present recommendations?
Do you have experience with businesses in our sector and with our load profile?
What ongoing services are included after the contract is signed?

Clear answers to these questions will help you choose a partner whose incentives, experience, and service model align with your needs.

How Zembl supports Australian businesses

Zembl focuses on helping businesses across Australia take control of their energy costs and simplify procurement.

Support for commercial and industrial customers can include:

Bill and tariff reviews to identify opportunities for savings
Competitive tenders to a panel of trusted retailers
Portfolio strategies for customers with multiple locations
Insights into the timing of renewals in relation to wholesale market movements
Guidance on efficiency, solar, and other demand‑side opportunities

Since 2009, Zembl has worked with tens of thousands of Australian businesses to identify potential savings and simplify their energy decisions.

For organisations that are looking to better understand whether specialist support is suitable, the next step is usually an obligation‑free review of recent invoices and load data.