Compare Electricity Providers in NSW & Apply Online

Functioning of NSW’s Electricity Market

The electricity market of NSW is deregulated. That means- for those who like to shop around for competitive offers, it will never starve you from lack of options. There are several electricity providers in NSW today, free to set their own prices and offers (as per the price capping of DMO). Hence, the competition is intense, with each retailer striving to tempt customers with lucrative deals, plans, and discounts to stand out from the rest.

However, in 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), in an attempt to keep the prices of energy plans fair for both- the consumers and retailers, introduced a Default Market Offer (DMO).

Default Market Offer works as a benchmark for other energy providers in NSW to set their price against, using it as a fair reference point. What’s more, it helps you gauge how the market offer that you’re on or looking to switch to compares to the DMO, helping big time in finding you a fair deal.

Types of Electricity Plans in NSW

Standing Offer Contract: A Standing Offer is a default contract that you are automatically (or by default) enrolled in if you don’t actively choose an electricity plan on your own. Under this offer, the price you pay for electricity is as per the Default Market Offer (DMO), decided by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). That means it is typically the most expensive plan out there.

Market Offer Contract: A market offer contract is one where the terms, conditions, and pricing are set by the retailers (often using DMO as the reference point). That means these contracts typically include more competitive rates, discounts, and other benefits that electricity providers in NSW offer to make their plans more customer appealing.

Understanding the Primary Costs of Electricity in NSW

Let us break down the key costs that make up your electricity bills each month: 

Supply Charges: This is the charge that you pay for simply staying connected to the grid. So, technically- a supply charge (typically set by the electricity distributor) covers the overall cost of having power delivered to your residence, be it the transmission of electricity, network maintenance, or any other cost. That means- on the days you don’t use any electricity, you’ll still be paying a fixed supply charge. 

Usage Charges: This cost, often referred to as the variable charge, covers the amount you’re charged for every unit of electricity that your household consumes each day. Kilowatt-hour is the standard unit of measure that calculates your electricity consumption. Hence, usage charge is expressed as cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 

However, the story doesn’t end here. The electricity charges in NSW are always subject to some variation depending on some additional factors. We’ll check them out as we move forward. 

What does the cost of electricity in NSW look like?

As discussed, the price you pay for electricity is influenced by multiple factors. These include- your distribution network, electricity provider in NSW, and the type of tariff that you’re on. What’s more, there are three main electricity distributors in NSW, each functioning in different locations of the state and, accordingly, charging a different network price for delivering electricity to your residence:

1. Ausgrid: responsible for distributing electricity to the northern, inner, and eastern metropolitan areas of Sydney, Central Coast, and the Hunter Valley
2. Endeavour Energy: responsible for distributing electricity to the west and southern regions of Sydney, the Illawarra, the Blue Mountains, and the Southern Highlands.
3. Essential Energy: responsible for distributing electricity to the rural and regional New South Wales.

The charges imposed by electricity distributors, among many other charges, significantly impact the Default Market Offer (DMO).

Going by the DMO, let us give you an idea of how the electricity prices in NSW look like in the distribution zones of each of these distributors for the year 2024-25:

All About Electricity Tariffs

Long story short, Electricity Tariffs are the pricing structures that decide how you’ll be charged for electricity based on your usage. They are set by the electricity providers in NSW. Here are some of the most common tariffs that you can expect to pay: 

Single Rate Tariff: Under this tariff, you’re charged the same fixed rate, regardless of what time of the hour you use electricity. 

Time of Use Tariff: True to what the name suggests, it charges varying rates depending on the time of the hour you consume electricity.  

The simple rule of thumb is: electricity is the most expensive if you use it during peak hours (due to the increase in demand), least expensive during off-peak hours (due to the decrease in demand), and moderate during shoulder hours (i.e., the transitional period between the peak and off-peak hours). 

Controlled Load Tariff: These are the rates that cover the electricity consumption charges of the large, energy-hungry appliances of your household like hot water systems. These devices are metered separately and scheduled to run during off-peak hours to make the most of the low electricity charges. 

Solar Feed-in Tariff: This tariff is designed to benefit those with a solar panel installed in their residence. Each time you export a kilowatt-hour (kWh) of unused electricity to the grid, you’re rewarded with a certain amount. 

Leading Electricity Providers in NSW

An electricity provider, also referred to as electricity retailer, sells electricity plans to consumers. The residents of NSW are lucky to be living in a deregulated market since they are left spoiled for choice between several electricity providers that cater to different energy needs.

Let us help you with a list of some of the common electricity providers in NSW that you can compare:

• AGL
• 1st Energy
• Alinta Energy
• CovaU Energy
• Dodo Power and Gas
• Energy Australia
• Engie
• Origin Energy
• OVO Energy
• Powershop
• Tango Energy
• Momentum Energy

Why compare Electricity Plans & Providers in NSW?

The deregulation of the electricity market in NSW, if anything, works to the best benefit of customers as long as they know how to make the most of it.

That’s because- it offers room to providers to set their own prices (taking reference from DMO), making the competition intense and offering customers a world of different options in plans. In turn to that, providers leave no stone unturned in luring customers with attractive deals and offers to get an edge over their competitors. That’s where the need to compare electricity providers in NSW (and their respective plans) arises. You’ve got to keep track of who’s offering what to get your hands on a competitive plan that suits your electricity needs while optimising your benefits at most.

Compare Electricity Providers in NSW: A Cheat Sheet to Switching Smartly

By far, we know that it’s important to compare and weigh your options in electricity providers when looking to switch. However, on what common grounds should you compare remains an important question, awaiting an answer. So, let us help you with all the things you must keep in mind while comparing to find a plan that works for you: 

• What are the supply charges? 

As discussed, the supply charge is the fixed fee that you pay for the distribution and maintenance of electricity at your residence. However, the amount of the supply charge can vary depending on the electricity retailer and the specific plan you choose. That is the sole reason why It's important to compare these charges when selecting an energy plan. 

• What is the Tariff like? 

If you wish to make the most of your plan in monetary terms, aligning your tariff type with your electricity usage pattern should be one of the foremost things to do. For instance, if you tend to use more electricity during the off-peak hours, you can go for a time-of-use tariff to capitalize on the considerably lower prices.  

Pro tip: You can always take help of a smart meter to seek information about your usage patterns- be it regarding the hour of the day when you're using most electricity or appliances that are consuming more energy. 

• Are there any discounts offered? 

Everyone is guilty of falling for discounts! Especially when it is on a utility like electricity that is increasingly becoming expensive. Hence, to lure customers into choosing them, many electricity providers in NSW offer a number of appealing discounts and incentives.  

Some are conditional (i.e., contingent to you performing a certain action) like a sign-up discount and others are unconditional (i.e., can be availed regardless) like pay on time discounts. 

• Read the Contract terms in and out 

You don’t want to get yourself into something that you regret later. So, read the terms and conditions of the contract beforehand, as much as you please, in order to be aware of the flexibility and overall charges involved.  

For starters, you must be informed whether your contract type is standard or market. Next, you need to keep an eye out for exit fee if you ever consider ending your contract prematurely, which is why it’s important to know whether it is a lock-in or no lock-in contract. Rest, it is important to lookout for those (often overlooked) connection, disconnection, transaction, and special meter reading fees. 

• Don’t overlook the Billing Terms 

Electricity is a utility that we all rely on and must budget for. That's why it's crucial to know when your bills are due and the various payment methods available, such as direct debit, electronic transfer, or Centrepay. Being informed can help you manage your finances more effectively and avoid any surprises. 

Get connected in three simple steps with Electricity Providers

Switching electricity providers in NSW has never been easier, thanks to our streamlined process. Let us walk you through it: 

Compare: Enter a few basic details, and we’ll present a variety of electricity plans tailored to your area. Explore your options to find the best available fit under our panel for your electricity needs. 

Switch: Once you’ve chosen a plan, you can effortlessly switch and sign up without any hassle. 

Save: See how much you can save with a value-packed plan that offers quality and reliability.