Energy comparison for Australian businesses: compare electricity and gas plans

Comparing energy plans sounds simple. In practice, Australian businesses often find it slow and confusing because prices depend on your location, meter type, network tariff, contract terms and how your site uses power.

This guide explains what to compare (and what to ignore), how business electricity and gas pricing works in Australia, and how Zembl can run a fast comparison and manage the switch for you.

What “energy comparison” means for Australian businesses

An energy comparison is more than checking a cents-per-kWh rate. A proper comparison reviews:

Usage charges (c/kWh) and how they vary by time or season
Daily supply charges (a fixed cost per day)
Network tariff suitability (how your distributor charges for delivery, not set by the retailer)
Contract structure (fixed vs variable, term length, price reviews, indexation)
Fees and conditions (exit fees, billing fees, pay-on-time discount rules)
Operational fit (billing cycles, payment methods, multi-site reporting)

For many SMEs, the biggest improvements come from getting the right tariff and contract structure, not chasing a headline discount.

Key factors to compare when choosing an energy plan

1) Unit rates and supply charges

Business energy bills usually include:

Usage: what you pay for electricity or gas consumed
Supply charge: what you pay to stay connected, regardless of usage

A plan with a slightly higher usage rate can still win if the supply charge is lower, or if the tariff better matches your operating hours.

2) Your network tariff (often overlooked)

Network charges are set by your local distributor and make up a large portion of many business electricity bills. Your retailer passes these through based on the network tariff your meter is assigned to.

Common tariff structures include:

Single rate: one usage rate all day
Time of use: different rates for peak, shoulder and off-peak
Demand tariffs: a charge based on your highest demand over a period

If your business has short spikes (for example, commercial HVAC start-up loads), demand tariffs can materially change outcomes. A comparison that ignores tariff suitability can recommend the wrong “cheap” plan.

3) Contract length, price certainty and flexibility

Business contracts commonly run 12, 24 or 36 months. When comparing, confirm:

Fixed vs variable pricing: fixed gives budgeting certainty, variable can move with market conditions
Price changes during the term: some contracts allow reviews or pass-through adjustments
Exit fees and move-out clauses: especially important if you may relocate or downsize

4) Discounts: what they really mean

Discounts can be helpful, but they can also be misleading if they apply only to part of the bill or expire mid-contract. Two common types are:

Conditional discounts: only apply if you meet conditions such as paying on time
Guaranteed discounts: apply automatically for a defined period

When comparing, always look at the estimated bill outcome for your usage profile, not just a percentage discount.

5) Fees, billing and operational considerations

Small differences in fees and admin settings can matter over a year. Check for:

Paper bill fees, credit card surcharges, late payment fees
Billing frequency (monthly vs quarterly) and invoice detail
Multi-site billing and consolidation options if you have more than one location

6) Renewable and low-emissions options

If sustainability is important, you can compare options such as:

GreenPower or equivalent renewable energy products via your retailer
Carbon-neutral add-ons (check what is included)
Onsite solar and batteries (economics vary significantly by tariff and load profile)

For many businesses, the best sustainability outcome is a mix of a competitive retail contract plus practical efficiency upgrades.

How to compare energy plans in Australia, step by step

Step 1: Gather the right information

A recent electricity bill (and gas bill if applicable) is usually enough. It includes the key details needed for an accurate comparison, such as your NMI/MIRN, tariff, consumption and charges.

Step 2: Confirm your goals

Before reviewing offers, decide what matters most:

Lowest cost today
Budget certainty
Short contract or no lock-in
Green energy options
Better service and support

Step 3: Compare like-for-like

Make sure you are comparing:

Same tariff structure and meter type
Same assumptions about business hours and seasonality
All charges, not just usage rates

Step 4: Check contract terms before switching

If you are currently in a fixed-term agreement, confirm whether you are locked in and what your exit fees may be. If your contract is close to ending, it can be a good time to start reviewing the market.

What are the benefits of comparing energy plans?

Reduce energy costs

Energy market pricing changes regularly. A comparison helps confirm whether your current plan is still competitive and whether a different plan structure would lower your total bill.

Improve budgeting and reduce bill shock

Choosing the right contract structure can reduce exposure to volatility. Many businesses value stable pricing to help forecast operating costs.

Find better-fit tariffs for your operating hours

If your business can shift usage away from peak periods, or if your demand spikes can be managed, there may be meaningful savings available through tariff optimisation.

Access bundled electricity and gas options

Where available, bundling electricity and gas may simplify billing and sometimes improve pricing, depending on the retailer and your sites.

Energy comparison by state and availability considerations

Retailer availability and pricing differ by state and by connection type. In Australia, the market is a mix of regulated and deregulated elements, and comparisons need to reflect local conditions, including network areas and metering arrangements.

Zembl’s services are currently available in NSW, ACT, SA, VIC and QLD, with limited coverage in TAS and WA. Services are generally not available in NT and embedded networks.

Common mistakes businesses make when comparing energy

Focusing only on the headline discount, instead of the total bill outcome
Ignoring network tariffs and demand charges
Not checking contract end dates and rollover conditions
Comparing offers with different assumptions (peak periods, usage splits, seasonal load)
Overlooking fees like payment surcharges and paper billing charges

How Zembl helps with business energy comparisons

Zembl makes it easy to get a clear view of your options. We compare your current pricing against offers from our trusted panel of leading retailers, then explain the trade-offs in plain English.

When you are ready to proceed, we can also manage the switch so you avoid paperwork and long call centre wait times.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it worth doing an energy comparison every year?

For many businesses, yes. Contract terms, market pricing and your usage patterns can change, so a periodic review can help confirm you are still on a competitive deal.

Will switching retailers interrupt my power or gas supply?

In most cases, no. Your energy supply typically continues as normal while the billing relationship changes. Your retailer change is administrative.

What if my business has multiple sites?

Multi-site businesses can often benefit from consolidated procurement, consistent contract terms and clearer reporting. Zembl can help simplify multi-site comparisons and renewals.

Do I need a smart meter to access time-of-use pricing?

Time-of-use pricing generally requires interval metering. If you are not sure what meter you have, your bill will usually indicate it, or an expert can confirm it during a review.

Can I compare gas plans as well as electricity?

Yes. If your business uses both fuels, comparing them together can help you evaluate bundled options, billing simplicity and total energy costs.

Get your business energy compared

If you want a fast, expert-led comparison, Zembl can review a recent bill and explain your best options. If you choose to switch, we will handle the legwork so you can get back to running your business.

Talk to a Zembl expert