Energy made easy: How to compare plans and switch (Australia)

Comparing electricity and gas in Australia can feel like a second job, usage charges, supply charges, demand charges, discounts, benefit periods, solar feed-in tariffs and time-of-use blocks. The good news is that there is a free government comparison tool designed to make this simpler for households and small businesses: Energy Made Easy, run by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

This guide explains how Energy Made Easy works, who it is for, what you need to get accurate results, and how to turn a comparison into real savings. It also covers where a broker or expert support can help, especially if your business has complex tariffs, multiple sites, or higher energy spend.

What is Energy Made Easy?

Energy Made Easy is the Australian Government’s energy plan comparison website for customers in the National Electricity Market (NEM). It lets you compare generally available electricity and gas offers from retailers, based on your location and usage details.

It is designed for:

Households
Small businesses, typically those on standard small customer contracts

It covers most NEM jurisdictions, including NSW, QLD, SA, Tasmania and the ACT. Victoria uses a separate government-backed tool called Victorian Energy Compare (VEC).

Why people search “energy made easy”

In Australia, most of the savings from switching plans come from getting the right combination of:

Lower usage rates (c/kWh)
Lower daily supply charge (c/day)
Discounts that are actually achievable
A plan structure that matches your usage pattern, for example time-of-use versus flat rate
Better fit for your meter type and tariff

Energy Made Easy can quickly narrow down the market, but the results depend heavily on the information you enter. A small mistake, like selecting the wrong tariff type or entering estimated usage that does not match your bill, can change the ranking.

How Energy Made Easy works (step by step)

1) Choose your energy type and location

You start by selecting electricity, gas, or both, then entering your postcode and choosing your distributor area if prompted. This matters because network charges and available retailers differ by region.

2) Enter your usage details

You can use a few different inputs, but the most accurate approach is to use real bill data. For electricity, that might include annual consumption in kWh and, for time-of-use, the split across peak, shoulder and off-peak. For gas, it may request MJ usage.

For best accuracy, use a recent bill that reflects a typical period, or use 12 months if you have it.

3) Review and filter offers

The tool produces a list of plans ranked by estimated annual cost. You can then filter by:

Contract type, for example fixed or variable rates
Green or renewable options
Pay on time discounts and conditional discounts
Features such as solar feed-in tariff

4) Click through to retailer details

Each plan includes an information summary, plus links to retailer terms. Before switching, read the Energy Price Fact Sheet and confirm:

All usage rates
Daily supply charge
Discount conditions and benefit period
Any exit fees, if applicable
Eligibility rules

What you need from your bill to compare properly

To get a comparison that reflects your real costs, have these items ready:

Your tariff type, for example single rate, time-of-use, demand
Total usage in the billing period (kWh for electricity, MJ for gas)
Peak and off-peak splits if on time-of-use
Supply charge (daily fixed charge)
Your distributor area (often shown on the bill)
Any solar export credits and your feed-in tariff rate, if you have solar

If you are a business customer, the bill may also show demand charges (kVA or kW), capacity charges, or network tariff codes. These can be harder to compare accurately using simple assumptions.

Understanding the charges that drive your results

Usage rates and daily supply charge

The two big levers are:

Usage charge: what you pay per kWh or MJ consumed
Supply charge: a fixed amount charged each day

Low usage sites often benefit more from a lower daily charge, while higher usage sites can benefit more from lower per-unit rates.

Time-of-use vs flat rate

Time-of-use pricing can be cheaper or more expensive depending on when you consume electricity. If most of your usage is during peak periods, a time-of-use plan may cost more even if the off-peak rate looks attractive.

Demand charges

Many business plans include demand charges based on your highest demand interval during the month. A plan that looks cheap on c/kWh alone can be expensive if demand pricing is high and your site has spikes, for example refrigeration, HVAC start-up, or machinery.

Energy Made Easy vs Victorian Energy Compare

If your site is in Victoria, you will usually be directed to Victorian Energy Compare instead of Energy Made Easy. The intent is similar, but you should always use the tool designed for your state to ensure plan data is complete and comparable for that market.

Common mistakes that make comparisons inaccurate

Using the wrong meter or tariff type: single rate vs time-of-use vs demand makes a major difference.
Ignoring benefit periods: a large discount may only apply for a set period.
Comparing discounts instead of total cost: focus on estimated annual cost and actual rates.
Forgetting controlled load: some properties have separate rates for hot water or other loads.
Not checking eligibility: some plans have postcode restrictions, payment method requirements, or limited-time offers.

How to actually save money after you compare

1) Check your contract end date

If you are on a fixed term, confirm the end date and any exit fees before switching. Many plans allow switching without interruption to supply, but fees can apply depending on contract terms.

2) Validate the plan against your real bill

Before you commit, sanity check the new plan using your actual usage profile. This is where many businesses find value in a bill review, because a plan that looks best online may not be best once demand and network structure are accounted for.

3) Switch and monitor

Retailers update market offers regularly, and your business usage can change with seasons, opening hours and equipment upgrades. Reviewing your plan periodically can keep savings from eroding over time.

When Energy Made Easy is enough, and when you should get help

Energy Made Easy is often enough if you are:

A household or small business on a simple tariff
Single site
Comfortable reading fact sheets and terms

You may want expert help if you are:

On a demand tariff or complex time-of-use structure
Managing multiple sites and want consolidated oversight
Unsure whether your network tariff is appropriate
Spending enough that procurement strategy and timing matter

How Zembl makes energy easier for Australian businesses

Zembl helps businesses compare energy pricing quickly and accurately using real bill data. Instead of entering estimates into a tool and hoping for the best, you can send a recent bill and have an expert validate your current rates and identify better offers available from our trusted retailer panel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Energy Made Easy free to use?

Yes. It is a free comparison website operated by the AER.

Does Energy Made Easy show every plan in the market?

It shows generally available offers submitted by retailers for the covered regions. Some plans may be conditional, targeted, or not publicly listed in the same way. Always review retailer terms.

Can I use Energy Made Easy for business energy?

Yes, for many small businesses on standard small customer arrangements. Larger commercial and industrial sites often have more complex tariffs and procurement requirements, and may benefit from a tailored tender or broker-led comparison.

Will switching retailers interrupt my supply?

In most cases, switching does not interrupt your electricity or gas supply because the physical network does not change, only the retailer and billing arrangements change.

What if I am in Victoria?

Victoria has its own state-based comparison website. For Victorian sites, use the Victorian tool to ensure you are comparing the right market data.

Next steps

If you want to DIY your comparison, use Energy Made Easy with a recent bill and double-check tariff details before switching. If you would rather skip the admin and get a bill-accurate comparison, Zembl can help you review your rates, compare options from our retailer panel, and handle the switch if you decide to proceed.

Disclaimer

Energy Made Easy is operated by the AER. Zembl is an independent energy comparison and advisory service and not affiliated or endorsed by the AER or the Australian Government.