Searching for energy providers usually means one thing: you want to know who you can buy electricity or gas from, and how to tell whether a different provider could lower your bill.
In Australia, “energy provider” is often used to describe the energy retailer that bills you, but your energy is physically delivered by a separate company (your network distributor). Understanding that split is the fastest way to avoid comparison mistakes and get a deal that actually suits your home or business.
This guide explains how energy providers work in Australia, what you should compare (beyond headline cents per kWh), what protections apply, and how to switch without disruption.
Quick answer: what is an energy provider in Australia?
In most cases, when Australians say “energy provider” they mean an energy retailer, the company you sign up with, receive bills from, and contact for plan changes.
Separately, your electricity distributor (poles and wires) and gas distributor (pipelines) deliver the energy to your property and maintain the local network. You generally cannot choose your distributor, it is determined by your location.
Retailer vs distributor: why it matters when comparing energy providers
Two people can be with the same retailer and still pay very different amounts because their distributor, tariff, meter type, and usage pattern are different.
When comparing providers, you are mostly comparing the retailer’s:
- Plan pricing: usage rates (c/kWh for electricity, c/MJ for gas), and daily supply charges.
- Tariff structures: single rate, time-of-use, controlled load, and for many businesses, demand-based tariffs.
- Contract terms: benefit periods, fees, price change rules, and what happens after an offer ends.
- Customer service and billing options: billing cycles, payment methods, and account management.
Which parts of Australia have retail choice?
Most customers in the National Electricity Market (NEM), NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, ACT, and TAS, can choose from multiple retailers. Western Australia and the Northern Territory have different market arrangements and generally fewer retail options for households and small businesses, depending on location.
Even where you have retail choice, your local distribution network area still affects the tariffs and charges available to you.
How energy provider pricing works: what actually makes up your bill
Your total electricity or gas bill is typically driven by several components:
- Wholesale energy costs: the market cost of energy, which fluctuates over time.
- Network charges: regulated charges for using poles, wires, or pipelines, and these vary by region.
- Retail costs and margin: billing, customer support, risk management, and retailer overheads.
- Metering costs: may be bundled or itemised, especially for business or interval meters.
- Environmental scheme costs: policy and compliance costs, often built into rates.
This is why comparing “the cheapest energy provider” without using your own bill can produce the wrong answer.
Standing offers, default offers, and market offers
Energy retailers can supply customers under different types of offers:
- Market offers: competitive plans a retailer promotes, often with specific structures or benefit periods.
- Standing offers: the retailer’s standard set of terms and prices, typically not the most competitive.
- Default offers: safety-net reference prices set by regulators in some jurisdictions, such as the Default Market Offer (DMO) in NSW, SA and south east QLD, and the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) in VIC.
Many customers end up overpaying when a discount period ends and they roll onto a higher priced offer. A simple annual review can help prevent that.
What to compare when choosing energy providers (beyond the headline rate)
1) Daily supply charge
Supply charges are a fixed cents-per-day cost. A plan with a low usage rate can still be expensive if the supply charge is high, particularly for low-usage sites, apartments, or premises that close for part of the year.
2) Time-of-use and peak periods
If you are on time-of-use pricing, the time windows for peak, shoulder and off-peak vary by state, distributor, and plan. If most of your usage is during peak, a “cheap off-peak” rate may not help.
3) Demand charges (common for businesses)
Many commercial sites pay demand charges, which can significantly impact monthly bills. When comparing providers, you should check:
- the demand window (when demand is measured)
- the calculation method (highest interval, averaged intervals, or another method)
- the rate ($/kW or $/kVA)
4) Controlled load
Some homes have controlled load for hot water or dedicated circuits. Ensure any comparison includes the controlled load rate, not just the main usage rate.
5) Benefit periods and conditional discounts
Retailers may offer discounts that only apply for a set period or only if you meet conditions like paying on time or by direct debit. Always compare the estimated total cost across the full benefit period, and consider what pricing looks like after it ends.
6) Fees, flexibility, and exit terms
Check for credit card fees, late fees, move-out fees, notice periods, and early termination charges (more common in some business contracts).
How to compare energy providers using your bill
If you want an accurate comparison, start with your latest bill (and ideally one from another season). Look for:
- Electricity NMI and gas MIRN/DPI
- your tariff type (single rate, time-of-use, demand, controlled load)
- usage (kWh for electricity, MJ for gas), plus peak and off-peak splits if relevant
- supply charge
- contract end date or benefit period details
For businesses, interval data can be extremely valuable because it shows when you use energy, not just how much.
Will switching energy providers interrupt supply?
In most cases, no. Switching retailers is typically an administrative process. Your physical supply is still delivered by the same distribution network.
There can be exceptions for complex meter changes or certain embedded network scenarios, but for typical homes and most small businesses, the switch is straightforward.
How long does it take to switch energy providers?
Timeframes vary by retailer, meter type, and state, but many switches are completed within a few business days to a few weeks. You should receive confirmation of the changeover date and information about any final bill from your old retailer.
Common mistakes people make when choosing an energy provider
- Comparing only cents per kWh, and ignoring supply charges, time bands, and demand.
- Not matching the tariff to operating hours, especially for businesses on time-of-use or demand tariffs.
- Assuming one provider is cheapest for everyone, the best plan depends on location and usage profile.
- Forgetting contract timing, and rolling onto higher priced offers.
- Skipping a tariff check, a better retailer rate may not fix an unsuitable network tariff.
Energy providers for businesses: what’s different?
Business energy procurement can be more complex because:
- sites may face demand charges and higher fixed costs
- pricing can vary significantly by network tariff class and load profile
- some retailers offer negotiated business rates that are not visible on consumer comparison tools
- multi-site groups may benefit from aligned contract dates and consolidated reporting
If you want a deeper look at how comparisons work, these guides may help:
- Electricity compare
- Compare electricity plans
- Gas and electric compare
- Gas electric quotes
- Compare business electricity charges
How government comparison tools fit in
For households and many small businesses, government tools can provide a useful baseline:
- Energy Made Easy for NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT
- Victorian Energy Compare for Victoria
These can help you see generally available offers, but they may not cover every negotiated business outcome and they do not always account for tariff suitability in complex commercial scenarios.
How Zembl helps you compare energy providers
Zembl helps Australian households and businesses compare energy plans and switch to competitive offers, without the hassle of doing it all yourself. We focus on total cost and suitability, not just a headline rate.
Our process is simple:
- Review: you send a recent bill, we confirm your tariff and key cost drivers.
- Compare: we compare options across our retailer panel and explain trade-offs clearly.
- Switch: if you choose to proceed, we manage the paperwork and support you through the changeover.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the main energy providers in Australia?
Australia has many energy retailers, including large national brands and smaller specialists. The “best” provider depends on your state, network area, meter type, and usage pattern. Comparing based on your bill is the most reliable way to shortlist suitable options.
Can I have the same provider for gas and electricity?
Often yes, depending on which retailers operate in your area. Bundling can simplify billing, but it is still worth comparing the combined annual cost because dual fuel discounts do not always deliver the best overall outcome.
How often should I compare energy providers?
A good rule of thumb is at least once per year, and any time your retailer changes prices, your benefit period ends, or your usage changes significantly (new equipment, longer operating hours, solar installation).
What do I need to switch?
Typically you need a recent bill, your address, and basic account details. For business comparisons, additional information like interval data can improve accuracy, but a bill is usually enough to start.
Next step: get an obligation-free comparison
If you want to check whether a different provider could reduce your costs, Zembl can review your current plan and compare options that match how you actually use energy.
Start with a bill review via our comparison guides, or reach out through Zembl’s website to get a tailored recommendation.
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