Compare Electricity in Queensland

In QLD, your energy distributor manages the poles and wires, while your electricity retailer sells you energy plans and issues your electricity bill.

In South East Queensland, Energex is the energy distributor, and residential customers can choose between competing energy retailers. In regional Queensland, the network is operated by Ergon Energy Network.

Depending on your location, you may be able to choose a retailer and a market offer, or request the regulated notified prices set annually by the Queensland Competition Authority (where available).

Retail options in competitive areas may include:

• EnergyAustralia
• Alinta Energy
• Nectr
• GloBird Energy
• Origin Energy

Every electricity bill in QLD is built from a mix of fixed charges and usage-based costs. Knowing how each part works makes it easier to compare energy rates properly and avoid paying more than you should.

Your total electricity costs are shaped by these core charges:

• Usage rates: The cents per kWh you pay for each kilowatt hour of electricity used in your home. Higher energy usage means higher usage charges across your billing period.
• Daily supply charge: A fixed daily fee that covers connection to the network managed by your energy distributor, such as Energex in South East Queensland. This charge applies regardless of how much electricity you use.
• Demand charges: Fees based on your highest electricity use during peak times, common under certain plans in the QLD electricity market. Homes with heavy evening use may see higher demand costs.
• GST: Goods and Services Tax is already included in advertised electricity prices for residential customers, so the rates you see are typically GST inclusive.

Beyond these base charges, your tariff types determine when and how those rates apply:

• Tariff 11: A flat rate or single rate tariff where all electricity is charged at the same usage rate, no matter the time of day.
• Tariff 12: A time-of-use structure with different energy prices for peak, shoulder, and off-peak periods. This can benefit households that shift usage outside busy times.
• Tariff 14: A demand-style tariff that can include demand charges (and sometimes time-based pricing), depending on the retailer and network. Retailers in South East Queensland may use different tariff names.
• Tariffs 31 and 33: Controlled load tariffs commonly used for hot water systems and certain appliances, offering lower off-peak rates for specific circuits.

Understanding how usage rates interact with tariff types helps you compare electricity plans accurately and find a better deal that matches your real-world consumption patterns.

Solar panels change how you compare energy plans in QLD. Instead of only reviewing usage charges, you also need to compare the solar feed-in tariff offered by each electricity retailer.

Some plans provide a higher solar feed-in tariff but slightly higher usage rates, while others do the opposite. Always check how exported energy, measured in kWh, is credited on your bill and confirm any eligibility conditions tied to bonus solar offers.

Solar households should focus on total annual savings, not just the headline solar rate.

Choosing the right electricity plan depends on how your household uses energy. After understanding the switching process, it helps to match features to your daily habits.

Different households should prioritise different features:

• Families: Higher overall energy usage means competitive usage rates and a fair daily supply charge matter most.
• Renters: Flexible energy plans with no exit fees and simple, direct-debit options can suit short-term stays.
• High-usage homes: Demand-aware tariff types or time-of-use structures may lower electricity costs if usage shifts to off-peak periods.
• Solar owners: Compare solar feed-in tariff rates alongside usage charges to maximise savings from renewable exports.
• EV owners: Time-of-use or off-peak pricing can significantly reduce charging costs.

Personalising your energy comparison helps you avoid paying for features that do not suit your lifestyle.

Most homes in QLD rely mainly on electricity, but some areas in Brisbane and the Gold Coast also offer natural gas connections. Gas plans can be bundled with electricity through selected energy retailers.

Gas competition is more limited than the electricity market, and not all suburbs have access to natural gas. Compare your electricity bill and gas bill together to decide if a bundled offer delivers a better deal overall.

Electricity prices, variable rates, and benefit period discounts change regularly in the QLD energy market. A plan that looked competitive last year may now sit above the Australian Energy Regulator’s default market offer.

Staying proactive helps you avoid creeping increases and secure sharper electricity deals over time. Comparing every 12 months keeps your energy bill aligned with current market conditions across Australia.

To compare electricity providers and plans effectively:

1. Enter your postcode on GoSwitch.
2. Review usage rates, daily supply charge, and tariff types.
3. Check total annual costs against the DMO benchmark.
4. Select a better deal with no obligation.

GoSwitch also lets you compare internet and health insurance options from providers in QLD, VIC, ACT, SA and NSW, so you can review multiple household services in one place and save time across the board.