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How to compare ACT energy plans
The easiest way to compare ACT energy plans is to use Money Matchmaker®'s online energy comparison tool. Simply enter your postcode into the tool - for example, 2601 for Canberra - and you can quickly view the available electricity and gas plans in your area. For greater accuracy when comparing electricity plans, you can include your current usage and energy requirements.
However, there are other factors to consider, such as usage and supply charges, discounts, or any contract-exit fees included in the various plans on offer. You can learn more about how to compare Australian Capital Territory electricity plans and energy providers below.
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Can you switch energy retailers in ACT?
If you live in the Australian Capital Territory, you shouldn’t have any problem choosing your own energy retailer. In general, residents in ACT and its major areas can choose their electricity and gas suppliers:
- Canberra
- Williamsdale
- Naas
- Uriarra
- Tharwa
- Hall
You can also choose to switch your energy providers if you live in these states:
If you are not currently living in ACT, you can select your state from the list above to compare energy retailers in your region.
What is the average electricity bill in ACT
The average electricity bill in ACT will vary depending on the number of people in the household and lifestyle choices which can impact the amount of energy used. On average:
- A single person living alone: $1,322.50
- A couple living together: $1,695.50
- A family of four (two parents, two children): $2,250.50
- A family of six (two parents, four children): $2,650.50
Please note that these are only estimated averages based on a range of different individual electricity requirements and energy plans available in ACT. Depending on your provider and circumstances, your average electricity bill may be higher or lower.
Example of annual average energy prices in ACT
| Single | Couple | Family of 4 | Family of 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
$1,322.50 | $1,695.50 | $2,250.50 | $2,650.50 |
Top 8 Cheapest Energy Plans ACT
| Energy Retailer | Plan Name | Estimated Cost (Quarterly) | Estimated Cost (Annually) |
|---|---|---|---|
Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | $233.60 | $934.40 |
EnergyAustralia | Total Plan Home | $234.37 | $937.48 |
Origin Energy | Origin Max Saver | $238.31 | $953.24 |
ACTewAGL | ACT Home 20% Offer | $242.65 | $970.60 |
Energy Locals | Online Saver Anytime | $250.81 | $1,003.24 |
Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | $250.81 | $1,003.24 |
Simply Energy | ACT Simply | $259.72 | $1,038.88 |
Amber | Amber | $276.64 | $1,106.56 |
Is the cheapest energy plan in ACT the best?
To find the cheapest energy plans in ACT and choose the best plan for your needs, you can consider the following factors:
- Supply charges
- The lowest usage rates
- Incentives for switching from another retailer
- Length of contract and exit fees
- Discounts and how to qualify
- Length of discounts - i.e. benefit terms
It’s important to remember that everyone living in ACT will use energy differently, and have different personal circumstances, living situations and devices or whiteware which use varying amounts of electricity.
How to compare ACT energy retailers
The best energy retailers in ACT won’t just offer cheap electricity and discounts. You can compare ACT energy retailers on the three core aspects of their service and plan offerings:
- Customer Service and Support - How easy is it to apply?
- Billing and Payments - What is the payment period?
- Plan Flexibility - Are there any additional fees or charges?
7 tips to compare electricity ACT
- Use as many of your previous energy bills as possible to determine your actual usage charges over various months of the year. You may find that certain retailers offer seasonal rates throughout the year, which may not match your ideal energy usage for those months.
- Make sure you cancel any automatic payments set-up with your previous energy retailer.
- Take note of when your new electricity provider will read your meter, and whether they offer an app to allow you to track your usage or receive alerts on bill payment dates.
- Always compare plans carefully instead of just looking at the cheapest overall price or the highest discount.
- Check to see when your current energy retailer reads your meter, and time your switch so you can change electricity providers quickly and avoid paying a callout fee.
- Carefully review any contract-specific fees with your new provider, such as early break fees or disconnection and reconnection fees.
- Make sure you clear any outstanding debts with your existing energy retailer before deciding to make the change to another retailer. In general, you will not be allowed to change providers before paying your existing account in full.
Learn more about comparing energy providers.
How to change energy retailers in ACT
Once you've compared electricity and gas plans in ACT and chosen a new provider who best suits your needs, making the switch should be relatively simple:
- Apply with the new provider
- Cancel your existing plan
- Receive confirmation of the change
Changing energy retailers when renting in ACT
You can change energy retailers in ACT if electricity and gas are not included in your rent. If electricity or gas is included in your rent then you will generally not be able to switch providers as it will be your landlord who needs to make the decision about the specific retailer for that property.
You can speak to your landlord if you would like to request that they switch your energy retailer to a more cost-effective plan. If it saves them money, they may be happy to help!
How long does it take to switch energy providers in ACT?
It can take up to 3 months for you to start receiving bills from your new energy provider. If you are switching providers but staying on the same property, the amount of time it will take for you to switch providers will depend on when your current provider can conduct a final meter read.
Your existing ACT energy retailer will have their own dates for reading customer electricity meters, so be sure to check with your current provider before making the switch.
If you are moving house, many ACT energy providers will be able to ensure electricity and gas are connected to your new property on the day you move in. You may see these listed as move-in guarantees, and will generally require notice of up to five days before your move.
What is the cost of changing energy retailers in ACT?
Energy retailers in ACT are unlikely to charge you to change providers and plans if you are on an open contract. If you have signed a fixed contract, you might be required to pay an exit fee if you terminate before the contract is finished.
Check with both your existing and new retailer whether there are any associated costs. Your existing retailer can provide details on fees for disconnection, breaking a fixed-term contract, or organising a special meter read to speed up the comparison process.
Electricity provider discounts ACT
Comparing electricity providers in ACT can help you discover cheaper plans and lower energy prices, but you could also discover a range of discounts on electricity plans. Some of the common ACT electricity discounts available include:
- Pay on time discount - can be applied to usage charges or your entire bill. The most common type of discount, and simply requires customers to pay their bill by a specified date.
- Direct Debit discount - can be applied to usage charges or your entire bill. An easy way to save money by linking your debit account to make automatic payments to your energy retailer.
- Bundled energy discount - varies between 2% and 15% of your bill or usage charges. Only available for customers who can receive both electricity and gas from the same energy retailer.
- Email billing discount - often only applied to your bill, as it reduces the cost of providing physical, paper bills to customers by the retailer. You will also receive all communication from your energy retailer through the same email.
- Plan-specific discounts (Unconditional energy discounts) - application will vary between plans, however they often do not need any conditions met, such as a sign-up incentive discount for switching retailers.
ACT energy concessions
The ACT provides an Energy Concession and a Utility Concession to eligible customers who hold one of the following ACT-specific concession cards:
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC).
- Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card (HCC).
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, Gold Card or TPI.
You will need to make a new application each time you are issued a card, and the person applying for the concession will need to include:
- The full name which matches the name on the energy bill
- The address which matches the address on the energy bill
Energy rebates or concessions may only be claimed from the issued date of your card.
Summary
While there aren’t as many energy retailers to choose from in ACT as other Australian states, there is still a wide range of options available to consumers wishing to make the switch to a better plan. If you feel you aren’t getting the best deal from your current supplier, why not use our quick and easy comparison tool to see how much you could save by changing plans?
All you have to do is enter in some basic details about your current plan, and we can show you a list of options from various ACT energy providers to choose from. Best of all, it’s free and won’t cost you anything to browse your options.
Compare energy retailers ACT FAQ
How do I compare ACT electricity rates?
To compare ACT electricity rates, you will first want to look at usage charges and supply charges. Supply charges are the cost of connecting your house to electricity - also known as a service charge - while usage charges are based on your actual household energy use.
How can I quickly compare ACT energy retailers?
You can quickly compare ACT energy retailers using an online energy comparison tool. This will allow you to enter your postcode and various energy-usage details to see tailored plans available from various retailers in your area.
How do I find the cheapest electricity provider in ACT?
You can find the cheapest ACT electricity provider by comparing energy retailers and their currently available offers. You may find some ACT electricity providers offer discounts, usage fees, and sign-up incentives which are more suitable to your individual situation than others.
Can I get electricity and gas from the same energy retailer in ACT?
Yes, you can receive electricity and gas from the same energy retailer in ACT. When comparing ACT energy retailers, check to see whether they first offer both electricity and gas - you can quickly do this by using an online energy retailer comparison tool.
Written by
Loans Expert
Shaun McGowan
Reviewed by
Editor
Sean Callery
Disclaimer: All information and details for listed plans, discounts, incentives, usage charges, and fees are only accurate at the time of writing, and may not accurately reflect the rates offered when applying. Actual rates may differ based on your location, electricity and gas use, or eligibility for plans.
