Energy prices on Finder
Here's how we calculate the prices you see.
What is the reference price?
The reference price, introduced in July 2019, is the maximum price a retailer can charge you on a standard contract for electricity or gas. While the price may vary depending on where you live, retailers are required to advertise their rate against the reference price so you can compare plans more easily.
We show a percentage difference between the unconditional price (no conditional discounts) of a plan to the reference price.
In New South Wales, South Australia and South East Queensland this is also called the Default Market Offer (DMO).
Victoria uses a different price which is called the Victorian Default Offer (VDO).
What is the Victorian Default Offer (VDO)?
The VDO, introduced on 1 July 2019, aims to provide customers in Victoria with reasonably priced electricity and ensure they are not paying too much for their electricity. When shopping around for a policy, electricity retailers are obligated to provide you with the VDO if you request it.
What is a representative customer?
A representative customer's usage is based on model annual usage as set by the AER or Victorian Government (for NSW, SA, QLD, VIC customers), or electricity and gas usage benchmarks as published by the AER (for ACT customers).
What is the estimated price?
The price estimate should not be used as an official quote, but an indication of what your costs may be on the plan. It varies based on whether you provide us with your bill details.
Note: Table below may not be clear on mobile.
| Meaning of "estimated price" | No bill details | Bill details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW, SA, QLD | The lowest price for a representative customer, based on Australian Energy Regulator (AER)'s model annual usage in that postcode region, assuming all conditions have been met. A representative customer is a customer whose usage represents AER model usage for that particular distribution network. | The estimated amount payable for this plan based on details you have entered from your personal bill. Your actual bill may vary from the estimated price if your actual energy usage is different from the estimated energy usage. |
| VIC | The lowest possible price a representative customer would be charged in a year for this plan, using the Victorian government's annual reference consumption for domestic customers in the provided postcode's region and assuming all conditions have been met for any discounts. | |
| ACT | Based on estimated energy usage AER electricity and gas bill benchmarks. The estimated energy usage is based on information users provide, e.g. suburb, number of people in their household, existence of pool, mains gas connection, controlled load, air conditioning, electric heater, electric water heater and underfloor heating. |
Note: Data is updated within 24 hours of becoming aware of a change.
Assumptions
- Our calculations take into account daily supply charges.
- For time of use prices, we have assumptions on usage based on the annual average per distributor, as set by the regulator for each state. See below.
- Consumption has been apportioned evenly over the number of days.
- We assume 30% of household consumption for controlled load plans.
- When a plan has two controlled loads, we use the cheaper option.
- Check with your retailer if you're not sure which controlled load applies to you.
- For stepped calculations we apply consumption across first, next and remaining thresholds.
- If we show quarterly estimates, they are based on an average of 91 business days.
Average usage rates
- Victorian distributors (Annual reference consumption)
- New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia distributors (Model Annual Usage)
- ACT distributors (AER electricity and gas bill benchmarks)
What's not included?
- Price estimates do not take into account:
- Bonus or welcome cards
- Ongoing credits
- Anniversary credits
- Conditional credits
- Pre-payment discounts
- Price estimates exclude solar panel rebates, concessions and bonuses
- Our calculations do not include fees including subscription fees, joining fees, exit fees, disconnection fees and reconnection fees. These fees can be compared elsewhere on the table.
How do we show products on the site?
Product information
Our product information is verified using government websites Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare. Some retailers may remove or change the information and pricing of plans without notice.
Whilst we make every effort to update our engine quickly when becoming aware of a change, it's recommended that you check the provider's website when signing up for a plan.
Default results
By default, our results page shows only products with a link to a partner website or a broker. You can untick this setting like so:
Product order
The order of products is determined by a relevancy score which is based on:
- Supply charge
- Usage rates
- Discounts
- Plan flexibility e.g.
- Whether it's on a contract
- Exit fees
- Disconnection fees
- Reconnection fees
- Payment options
- How well known a brand is
- If it has a green option
- The solar feed-in tariff
- Avoiding plans from the same provider showing one after another
Products in postcodes where there is more than one distributor
When there are products in postcodes with more than one distributor (where there could be the same product under different distributors) we only show one distributor based on what's cheaper.
Products we don't show
For Victoria, we don't show products where there is no Energy Fact Sheet available on a brands website.
Why is the price different to what I see on the provider's site or my bill?
- The estimated cost may vary for meter type.
- Prices are not personal estimates and your household's usage may vary.
- Energy provider plan rates and supply charges are subject to change, which could impact price estimates.
- Please confirm all product information and pricing with the energy provider before you sign up to any plan.
More resources on Finder
More guides on Finder
-
Arcline by RACV energy plans and review
Arcline by RACV offers electricity plans to Victorians that can be carbon offset. Find out if the energy provider matches your requirements.
-
CovaU Energy plans and review
Find out if CovaU's electricity and gas plans are worth it.
-
Tango Energy electricity plans and review
Thinking of switching to Tango Energy? Find out which plans you can sign up to and whether Tango's running any deals this month.
-
Amber Electric plans and review
Find out if having access to wholesale power rates through Amber Electric is right for you.
-
Compare gas, electricity and internet bundles in Australia
Take the hassle out of signing up with different providers by bundling your energy and internet and claiming a discount.
-
Energy Locals review
Energy Locals offer reasonably priced electricity plans that are 100% carbon neutral at no extra cost.
-
Kleenheat: Natural gas and LPG provider review
Learn what Kleenheat has to offer to natural gas customers in WA and LPG customers in WA and the NT.
-
Compare gas and electricity providers in Perth and WA
Most Western Australia residents can't switch electricity providers but have a few options when it comes to gas. Find out if you can switch energy retailers.
-
Diamond Energy electricity plans and review
If you’re looking to go green with your power then Diamond Energy can help, offering one of the greenest power sources in all of Australia.
-
Aurora Energy electricity plans and review
Tasmania-based Aurora Energy is a good choice for those looking for a small energy provider that offers some useful discounts and is fully GreenPower accredited.