Victorian businesses can choose between multiple energy retailers, plans and contract structures. That choice is helpful, but it also makes it easy to overpay, especially if you have rolled over an old contract or you are on a default or standing offer.
Zembl helps Victorian businesses compare electricity and gas offers using their actual bill data. We do the analysis, explain the trade-offs in plain language and, if you decide to proceed, manage the switching process end to end.
Why businesses compare energy in Victoria
Energy costs in Victoria are shaped by a mix of wholesale electricity prices, distribution network charges, retail margins and regulated benchmarks. Most businesses will see meaningful differences between offers, even when they are buying the same physical energy from the same poles, wires and pipes.
Comparing plans can help you:
- Reduce total annual energy spend, not just the headline rate
- Choose contract terms that match how you operate and trade
- Avoid bill shock from demand charges, time-of-use pricing or high supply charges
- Make sure your rate stays competitive when prices reset around 1 July
How the Victorian energy market works for business customers
In Victoria, energy is deregulated for most customers. You can generally choose your retailer, while your distributor is determined by your location.
Retailer vs distributor
- Your distributor owns and maintains the network infrastructure in your area, your electricity supply is not interrupted if you switch retailers.
- Your retailer sets your retail rates and contract terms, issues your bills and is who you contact for account changes.
Electricity and gas are priced differently
Your electricity bill often has more moving parts than gas. Gas is usually simpler but still varies by usage rate, daily supply and contract conditions. If you use both fuels, comparing them together can reveal where your business is overpaying.
What to compare in a Victorian business energy plan
The cheapest-looking plan on a sales page is not always the lowest-cost plan for your site. For a proper comparison, you need to model costs against how you actually use energy.
1) Usage rates
Electricity usage may be flat, time-of-use (peak, shoulder and off-peak) or demand-based. Gas usage is often a flat or tiered rate.
2) Daily supply charge
Supply charges can materially change the total annual cost for low or seasonal usage sites. Many businesses focus on cents per kWh and miss this.
3) Demand charges and capacity components
Some business electricity tariffs include demand charges based on your highest 15 or 30-minute demand window in a billing period. If your bill includes demand, improving demand management or selecting a more suitable tariff can deliver large savings.
4) Network tariff suitability
Your network tariff is driven by your meter type and load profile, it can change what you pay even if your retailer rate looks similar. A review can identify whether your current tariff is still appropriate, particularly after changes like extended trading hours, new equipment or onsite solar.
5) Contract length, price structure and exit terms
Business contracts commonly include fixed rates, variable rates or hybrid arrangements. You should also confirm:
- Whether rates can change during the term
- Whether there is an automatic rollover or repricing clause
- Exit fees or move-out provisions if you relocate
6) Fees and bill features
Late fees, paper bill fees, payment method fees and GST treatment can vary. For multi-site businesses, consolidated billing and account management also matter.
Victorian Default Offer (VDO): what it means for small business
The Victorian Default Offer is set by the Essential Services Commission (ESC). It acts as a regulated benchmark and price cap for residential and small business customers on standing offers in Victoria.
Many competitive market offers are priced below the VDO, but not always across every component. Comparing against your actual bill and distribution zone is the most reliable way to assess value.
If you want to understand how default price resets can affect your costs, see our explainer on DMO and VDO changes and what they mean for bills.
Common reasons Victorian businesses overpay
- Rolling over after contract end: many contracts revert to higher rates if you do not renegotiate.
- Paying for the wrong tariff structure: time-of-use or demand charges can penalise certain operating hours.
- Not checking supply charges: especially for low usage, seasonal or partially vacant sites.
- Comparing without using your bill data: online tables rarely reflect your specific meter and network charges.
- Multi-site complexity: inconsistent contract dates and tariffs across sites can hide savings.
How Zembl helps you compare and switch in Victoria
Zembl provides an expert-led review that is designed for businesses, not generic consumer comparisons. We work with a panel of leading Australian energy retailers and compare available offers against your current plan using real usage data.
When you request a review, we:
- Analyse your current rates, tariff and bill components
- Compare relevant electricity and or gas offers available for your Victorian location
- Explain savings drivers and trade-offs, including contract terms
- Handle the paperwork and switching process if you choose to proceed
How long does a business energy comparison take?
Small business comparison
For many single-site small businesses, the review can be completed in a short phone call, especially if you have a recent bill available.
Larger and multi-site procurement
If you have higher spend, multiple meters or complex load profiles, we can run a more detailed procurement process. This may include modelling, a structured tender and clearer recommendations by site and contract structure.
What you need to start comparing energy in Victoria
To get the most accurate outcome, have one recent electricity bill and, if applicable, one recent gas bill. Helpful information includes:
- Business address and NMI (electricity) or MIRN (gas) if available
- Recent usage and billing period dates
- Current rates and supply charges
- Contract end date and any stated benefits or discounts
Related guides for Victorian businesses
- Compare electricity in Victoria
- Compare gas in Victoria
- Cheapest energy provider Victoria: what businesses should know
- Business energy comparison and switching
Get a free business energy review
If you want to compare energy in Victoria without spending hours on spreadsheets and sales calls, Zembl can help. Share your details and a recent bill, and one of our Energy Experts will run a free, no-obligation comparison and talk you through the best available options for your business.
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