Gas and electric compare: how to compare gas and electricity plans in Australia | Zembl

Comparing gas and electricity plans in Australia can be confusing. Different tariffs, discounts, and contract terms can make it hard to tell which deal is actually cheaper, especially for businesses with higher usage.

This guide explains how to "gas and electric compare" in a structured way so you can:

• Understand your current gas and electricity costs
• Compare offers from multiple retailers fairly
• Know when a dual fuel or bundled deal makes sense
• Avoid common comparison traps that cost Australian businesses money
• Use free tools and expert services to save time and reduce risk

All guidance here is written for the Australian energy market, including small business and commercial customers connected to the National Electricity Market and state based gas networks.

What does "gas and electric compare" really mean in Australia?

When people search for "gas and electric compare" they are usually trying to do one of three things:

1. Compare gas and electricity prices with their current retailer against other retailers
2. Decide whether to use gas, electricity, or a mix of both for major equipment
3. Work out if a bundled gas and electricity deal is cheaper than separate contracts

In Australia, most businesses and households:

• Buy electricity from a retailer that participates in the National Electricity Market in NSW, ACT, QLD, SA, VIC, and TAS
• Buy natural gas from a gas retailer that is often separate from their electricity retailer
• Are billed under either a standing offer or a negotiated market offer

Because electricity and gas are billed differently, a proper comparison means looking at the total bill, not just a single rate.

Step by step: how to compare gas and electricity plans

1. Start with your latest bills

Before you look at any price comparisons, gather at least one recent electricity bill and one gas bill. For businesses, three to twelve months of bills gives a much clearer picture.

Key data to note from each bill:

• NMI (National Meter Identifier) for electricity and MIRN or DPI for gas
• Billing period dates
• Total kWh per period for electricity and total MJ for gas
• Tariff structure, for example flat rate, time of use, demand, or controlled load
• Daily supply charges
• Any discounts or rebates shown on the bill

If you are not sure what all the line items mean, this explainer on business gas and electricity bills is a helpful starting point: Business gas and electricity bills explained.

2. Understand the main charges for gas and electricity

To compare offers accurately, you need to understand the building blocks of a bill.

Common billing elements include:

• Usage charges  electricity in cents per kWh, gas in cents per MJ
• Daily supply charge a fixed cents per day charge for being connected
• Demand charges for some larger sites, a charge based on your highest kW or kVA usage in a period
• Time of use charges different rates for peak, shoulder, and off peak periods
• Controlled load or dedicated circuit charges for equipment like hot water on separate meters
• Discounts for pay on time, direct debit, or contract term

When you compare, always calculate the total annual cost using your actual or estimated usage, not just the headline cents per kWh or MJ. A lower unit rate can still work out more expensive if the daily supply charge or demand charges are higher.

3. Check contract terms, not just prices

A gas or electricity plan that looks cheap upfront can become expensive if the fine print is not in your favour.

Key terms to review:

• Contract length and any fixed term obligations
• Early termination or move out fees
• Whether prices are fixed, variable, or can be changed during the term
• Whether discounts are conditional, for example pay on time only
• For business customers, how demand charges and network charges are passed through

For many small businesses, a competitive market offer with clear discounts and no hidden fees is preferable to a standing offer or an expired contract that has rolled on to default rates.

4. Use trusted tools and expert comparison services

For households and smaller businesses, there are government comparison tools such as:

• Energy Made Easy for NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, and the ACT
• Victorian Energy Compare for Victorian customers

These sites let you upload a bill and compare standing and market offers in your area. They are independent and run by government regulators.

For businesses that want specialist help with both gas and electricity, an expert service like Zembl can be more efficient. A Zembl energy expert will:

• Review your existing electricity and gas bills
• Compare your current rates with offers from a panel of leading business energy retailers
• Factor in tariff type, demand charges, and contract terms, not just headline rates
• Help you switch, with no interruption to supply

You can learn more about how Zembl compares and negotiates business energy plans here: Compare business energy plans and rates.

Gas vs electricity: which is cheaper for Australian businesses?

There is no single answer to "is gas or electricity cheaper" because it depends on:

• How your business uses energy, for example process heat, hot water, lighting, refrigeration
• The efficiency of your equipment
• Local network tariffs and demand charges
• State based gas and electricity pricing

Some general patterns:

• Gas is often cheaper per unit of heat for commercial cooking, hot water, and some industrial processes, especially where high temperatures are required
• Electricity is essential for lighting, cooling, IT, refrigeration, and increasingly for heating through high efficiency heat pumps
• Electric equipment such as heat pumps and induction cooking can offset higher electricity rates through much higher efficiency

For many businesses, the best outcome is not "gas or electricity" but the right mix, using gas where it is clearly more cost effective and electricity where efficiency gains or operational benefits are strongest.

What changes when you compare both fuels together

When you compare both gas and electricity together, you can find savings that do not appear if you only look at one bill at a time.

Key factors to consider:

• Business size and meter type small market vs commercial and industrial thresholds impact both tariff structures and your negotiating power
• Operating hours if you mainly operate outside peak periods, time of use electricity tariffs might be cheaper than a flat tariff
• Seasonal usage gas usage often peaks in winter, while electricity peaks in summer for many businesses, which affects demand charges
• Site location different distribution networks have different network charges even within the same state

Energy specialists often model scenarios such as:

• Remaining on separate gas and electricity contracts
• Bundling both fuels with one retailer
• Switching a process from gas to electricity or vice versa

The goal is to identify the lowest total cost for your specific usage profile, without increasing risk or losing important contract flexibility.

Bundled gas and electricity deals vs separate contracts

Many retailers offer both fuels and will promote discounts for taking gas and electricity together.

Potential advantages of bundling:

• Single point of contact and one consolidated bill
• Promotional discounts for dual fuel customers
• Simpler contract management across multiple sites

Potential disadvantages of bundling:

• You might sacrifice a very sharp electricity rate or gas rate from a specialist retailer
• Different contract end dates for each fuel can make renewals more complex
• Discounts may only apply to one component of the bill

The right approach is to compare:

• Total annual cost with a bundled offer, and
• Total annual cost with the best individual electricity and gas offers you can access

If a bundled deal is genuinely cheaper on a like for like basis, with acceptable terms, it can be a good option. If not, separate contracts often deliver better long term value.

Regulatory context and government protections

Australian energy markets are regulated by bodies such as the Australian Energy Regulator and state based regulators. These regulators:

• Set and oversee the Default Market Offer in NSW, SA, and south east QLD
• Oversee the Victorian Default Offer in Victoria
• Regulate network businesses that own poles, wires, and gas pipelines
• Operate or support comparison services such as Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare

For small business and household customers, default offers act as a safety net. However, most businesses can do better by actively comparing market offers, especially in a high price environment.

How Zembl helps you gas and electric compare

Zembl focuses on helping Australian businesses find and switch to competitive gas and electricity deals with minimal effort required from you.

Working with Zembl, you can:

• Get a free comparison of your current gas and electricity plans against offers from a panel of leading retailers
• Understand whether your tariffs and demand charges are appropriate for your usage
• Access commercial offers that may not be visible on general consumer comparison sites
• Switch with confidence, knowing all the paperwork and retailer notifications are handled for you

Our experts can also help you understand how your charges work and where you might be able to reduce overall costs, not just unit rates. For deeper detail on comparing business electricity charges, see: Compare business electricity charges.

If you would like an annual review of your plan to make sure you stay on competitive rates, this article explains why that matters: Why you should review your business energy plan.

Common mistakes when comparing gas and electricity

When businesses and households try to gas and electric compare without a clear process, a few common mistakes appear again and again.

Focusing only on unit rates

A lower cents per kWh or cents per MJ rate does not guarantee a cheaper overall bill.

You must factor in:

• Daily supply charges
• Demand charges where applicable
• Seasonal usage patterns
• Any extra metering or network costs

Ignoring contract end dates and rollovers

If you let a fixed term contract expire without reviewing your options, you may be rolled onto a higher standing or default offer.

Mark contract end dates in your calendar and start reviewing options at least three months before expiry so you can negotiate or switch in time.

Misreading discounts and incentives

Some discounts only apply if you pay on time or via direct debit. Others apply only to usage charges, not supply charges.

Always compare the total cost after discounts, not just the advertised percentage.

Not reviewing gas and electricity together

Looking at electricity without looking at gas can hide opportunities. For example, an energy efficiency upgrade or tariff change might improve both bills.

A combined review also makes it easier to decide whether a dual fuel or separate retailer approach is best for your circumstances.

When should you review and compare your gas and electricity?

At a minimum, Australian businesses should review their gas and electricity plans:

• Every 12 months, or
• Whenever a contract period is due to end, and
• When your usage profile changes significantly, for example expansion, new equipment, or reduced hours

That aligns with guidance in Zembl resources such as Why you should review your business energy plan.

Major events that should trigger a fresh comparison include:

• Moving premises or adding new sites
• Installing or expanding energy intensive equipment
• Shifting operating hours to nights or weekends
• Experiencing unexpected bill increases or bill shock

gas and electric compare: FAQs

Is it cheaper to have gas and electricity with the same provider in Australia?

Sometimes, but not always. Some retailers offer dual fuel discounts if you take both gas and electricity with them, which can reduce your total cost. However, another retailer might offer a much sharper electricity rate or gas rate on a stand alone basis.

The only reliable way to know is to compare the total annual cost of bundled and separate options using your actual usage data.

How often should I compare gas and electricity plans?

Most businesses and households should compare at least once a year. You should also compare any time your contract is due to expire or if you see a sudden jump in your bills that is not explained by higher usage.

Can I switch gas and electricity retailers without losing supply?

Yes. In the National Electricity Market and most gas distribution networks, switching retailers is an administrative process. Your physical connection and energy supply stay in place. The new retailer simply takes over billing and customer service.

What information do I need to get a proper comparison?

At minimum, you should have:

• A recent electricity bill and gas bill
• Your NMI and MIRN or relevant meter identifiers
• An idea of any upcoming changes to your usage or operating hours

If you use a business comparison specialist like Zembl, uploading or emailing your bills is usually enough for them to perform a full review.

Can Zembl help if I only want to compare electricity, not gas?

Yes. Zembl regularly helps businesses that want to compare electricity only, gas only, or both together. Even if you start with electricity, it is often worth having your gas reviewed at the same time so you do not miss saving opportunities on either bill.

For more detail on comparing business electricity specifically, see this page: Compare business electricity charges.

Next steps

If you want to gas and electric compare without spending hours on the phone or trying to decode complex tariffs, you have two main options:

1. Use government comparison sites for a high level view of available offers in your state
2. Work with a specialist business energy comparison service like Zembl for tailored advice and support

Zembl can review your bills, explain your current charges, compare both gas and electricity plans, and help you switch if we find you a competitive deal. That way, you can stay focused on running your business while knowing your energy costs are being actively managed.

To get started, visit Zembl's business energy page here: Business energy comparison or speak with an energy expert using the contact options on the site.