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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Essential Services Commission oversee competition, consumer rights, and fair trading, ensuring a fair energy market for all Australians. This includes plans from deregulated energy retailers who are highly motivated to offer great deals in NSW, VIC, QLD, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Did you know you can switch to a better plan at any time and start saving straight away?
The Default Market Offer
The Default Market Offer (DMO) protects electricity customers from being overcharged. It caps the maximum price for energy bills and is particularly useful as a standing offer for people who haven’t switched to a deregulated market deal.
Energy Prices and The Default Market Offer
The Default Market Offer price cap is set annually by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The DMO applies to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and South-East Queensland. It is the maximum price residential and small business customers can be charged on default electricity plans. However, the Australian energy market has evolved, and today’s energy consumers have lots of options for electricity, gas, and rooftop solar.
Better Retail Electricity Prices and Energy Plans
Comparing the Reference Price to Deregulated Electricity Plans
The Default Market Offer, such as the Victorian Default Offer, acts as a reference price, making it easier for customers to compare energy plans and providers. It is a safety net for consumers and an opportunity to take advantage of better energy market deals. The easiest way to compare electricity and natural gas plans, including the default market offer, is with a GoSwitch Energy Price Comparison search.
It could take days independently searching for the right electricity deal. GoSwitch finds highly competitive options for your postcode in minutes, 100% free—and the savings are all yours to keep.
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Residential Customer and Small Business Customer Energy Choices
Australian electricity and natural gas customers pay service charges and user charges that make up the bulk of the bill. Costs can fluctuate due to national and international prices, production, distribution zones, embedded networks, and other infrastructure. But in a deregulated energy market, leading retailers are ready to respond with lots of incentives and savings off the benchmark DMO price.
Tariffs, Discounts, and Electricity Deals
GoSwitch partners with leading Australian electricity and gas retailers to bring great energy deals to the table. You will find attractive energy deals for your postcode from highly regarded companies like AGL, Engie, Origin, 1st Energy, Ovo, EnergyAustralia, and Dodo. Tariffs and discounts to look for include:
- Time-of-use tariffs: Peak, shoulder, off-peak
- Controlled load tariffs: Charged at the same rate 24/7
- Solar feed-in tariffs
- Bundle electricity/gas deals. (can also include solar, internet, and more)
- Sign-up incentives and limited time offers
- No exit-fees. Pay-on-time discount
- Smart Meters
There are lots of ways for residential customers and small business customers to save on natural gas and electricity bills. You can also factor in Greenpower energy use for a carbon-neutral lifestyle, and solar energy efficiency for selling electricity back to the grid. The Default Market Offer is a guideline, not a rule. It takes only a few minutes to compare energy retailers with a GoSwitch search. Simply enter your postcode and a few details and get tailored energy deals for your location.
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Default Market Offer FAQs
Who needs the default market offer?
In some situations, the default market offer is useful. People on smaller fixed incomes find the DMO a useful safety net against unwanted expenses.
Does the default market offer assist the energy market?
The default market offer is a fair baseline price for independent electricity retailers to negotiate. Each retailer aims to attract customers with incentives, discounts, and cheap tariffs. There are good deals to be found.
What are the advantages of comparing electricity deals?
There are a range of financial incentives, contract features, customer perks, and environmental benefits worth comparing. GoSwitch finds great deals for your postcode from leading energy retailers.
Is it easy to switch to a new energy deal?
You can switch to a new energy retailer at any time, and the process is very easy from the comfort of your own home, in three steps:
Step 1: Enter your postcode and details into the GoSwitch Search Engine.
Step 2: Compare energy plan details. A GoSwitch energy expert can assist every step of the way.
Step 3: Sign up for the new deal and start saving straight away!
What else does GoSwitch do?
GoSwitch is your go-to team if you are searching for a better energy deal. You can upgrade your plan, change to a new retailer, relocate locally or interstate, reconnect, or lead a more sustainable eco-friendly lifestyle. Make the switch today with the 100% free GoSwitch service.