Compare 1st Energy Plans

1st Energy offers electricity and gas plans across NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA, with market offers and a standing offer available for both residential and small business customers. GoSwitch compares 1st Energy plans with other providers at your postcode, so you can see if you’re getting a competitive rate. The comparison is free and takes just a few minutes.

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About 1st Energy

What Plans Does 1st Energy Offer?

1st Energy offers market offers and a standing offer across electricity and gas. Market offers are priced below the regulated reference price in your state. The standing offer sits at the benchmark rate, which is rarely the most competitive option available.

In Victoria as of May 2026, 1st Energy runs three electricity plans.

  • 1st Topaz is a market offer priced 21% below the Victorian Default Offer, with an additional 5% pay-on-time discount on usage and supply charges.
  • 1st Ruby is a market offer priced 11% below the Victorian Default Offer, with no pay-on-time conditions.
  • The Standing Offer is priced at the Victorian Default Offer, set by the Essential Services Commission.

For gas, 1st Energy offers the 1st Ruby plan and a gas Standing Offer. Each plan includes an energy fact sheet with full pricing details. Plan availability varies by state and network, so GoSwitch can show you what’s currently on offer at your postcode.

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Does 1st Energy Have Lock-In Contracts?

Written by Clint Robinson, GoSwitch CEO
Published 8 July 20260 mins read

No, 1st Energy does not lock you into a contract on any of its current plans. That means you can switch providers at any time without paying an exit fee, so you stay in control if your usage changes or a better deal comes along.

The no-lock-in policy applies to both electricity and gas plans, including the 1st Topaz, 1st Ruby, and Standing Offer. No credit card surcharges apply on any plan. Together, these conditions make it straightforward to compare 1st Energy plans against other energy retailers and switch without any financial penalties.

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What Tariff Types Does 1st Energy Offer?

How much you pay for electricity depends heavily on your tariff type. 1st Energy offers five options, each suited to a different usage pattern.

  • Flat rate – The same cents per kWh applies at all hours, which keeps your usage costs consistent throughout the day.
  • Time-of-use (TOU) – Rates vary during peak, shoulder, and off-peak periods, so running appliances in cheaper windows can lower your bill.
  • Controlled load – Specific appliances, like hot water systems, run at a lower off-peak rate during set hours.
  • Demand – A monthly charge applies based on your highest electricity use within a set peak window.
  • Feed-in tariff (FiT) – Excess solar energy exported to the grid earns a credit on your electricity bill.

Because each tariff suits a different usage pattern, the right choice comes down to when and how you use power at home.

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What Is a Time-of-Use Tariff and Is It Right for You?

A time-of-use tariff, or TOU, charges different rates depending on when you use electricity. Peak periods cost more, while off-peak rates are lower. Shoulder periods sit between the two.

TOU works best for households that can shift appliance use, like running the dishwasher or washing machine during cheaper off-peak windows. To access TOU pricing, you need a smart meter, which records usage in real-time intervals. Peak and off-peak timings vary by state, so it pays to check what applies at your address before switching.

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What Are the Benefits of a Smart Meter?

Smart meters give 1st Energy customers more accurate billing and a clearer picture of how they use electricity. Unlike a basic meter, a smart meter does not need to be read in person.

Installing a smart meter at your property changes four things about how your account runs:

  • You receive actual bills based on real usage data, rather than estimated readings when access is blocked.
  • 1st Energy reads your meter remotely, so missed reads from locked gates, bad weather, or pets at the property are no longer a problem.
  • You can log into your 1st Energy online account to track usage habits at any time.
  • Electricity customers on a smart meter receive monthly bills instead of quarterly ones.
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Does 1st Energy Offer Solar Feed-In Tariffs?

Yes, 1st Energy offers solar feed-in tariffs across its plans in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and TAS. The FiT rate and daily export limits vary by plan and state, and the higher rate typically applies to the first 5kWh exported per day.

A high FiT rate doesn’t always mean the best deal overall. Usage rates and daily supply charges can offset the benefit of a generous export payment, so GoSwitch compares the full plan cost, not just the FiT rate.

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Where Does 1st Energy Supply Electricity and Gas?

1st Energy supplies electricity and gas to residential and small business customers across NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA. Coverage varies by network within each state, so plan availability at your specific address depends on your postcode.

GoSwitch compares 1st Energy plans in all four states, so entering your postcode is the quickest way to confirm what’s available and how prices stack up against other providers.

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What Payment Options Does 1st Energy Offer?

1st Energy offers multiple ways to pay your energy bills, so managing your energy costs stays hassle-free.

  • Direct debit automatically covers your usage and supply charges each billing period.
  • Credit card payments are accepted at no extra cost.
  • BPAY is available for customers who prefer to pay on their own schedule.
  • Paying by phone is an option through the 1st Energy phone number during business hours.
  • Centrepay lets eligible Centrelink recipients have energy payments deducted automatically from their benefits.
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Are There Rebates or Concessions Available?

Government rebates and concessions are worth factoring into your energy costs, as they can make a meaningful difference to what you pay each quarter. Australian households may qualify for pensioner concession rebates, low-income energy assistance, life support payments, and medical cooling or heating support, depending on their state and personal circumstances.

GoSwitch can help you compare 1st Energy plans alongside available rebates, so you can build a clearer picture of your actual energy costs and find the most affordable option for your household.

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How to Compare 1st Energy Plans with Other Providers

Comparing 1st Energy offers against a wide range of plans from other energy providers takes just a few minutes with GoSwitch, and switching requires nothing more than your postcode.

  1. Enter your postcode to see available plans from 1st Energy and other providers in your area.
  2. Review usage rates, supply charges, feed-in tariffs, and rebates side by side.
  3. Choose the plan that fits your home or small business and complete the switch online.

There’s no disruption to your supply when you switch, and no paperwork to manage. Enter your postcode and see your options for free.

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FAQs

Switching energy providers gives you the chance to reduce your energy costs and move to a tariff that better suits your household. GoSwitch lets you compare a range of 1st Energy plans and other providers in minutes, so you can find the perfect plan for your postcode.

The cheapest electricity provider in New South Wales varies by postcode, tariff type, and usage, so there’s no single answer that applies to every household. GoSwitch compares current plans from 1st Energy and other providers at your postcode so you can find the lowest annual cost for your usage.

If you’ve never actively chosen an energy plan, you may be on a standing offer, priced at the regulated benchmark rate in your state. GoSwitch can compare current 1st Energy plans against your existing rate to show if switching to a market offer could lower your bill.

Once your application is submitted, the transfer to 1st Energy typically takes a few business days, with move-in connections requiring at least three business days’ notice. GoSwitch manages the application on your behalf, so you can complete the process entirely online without any back-and-forth.

Yes, 1st Energy offers both electricity and gas plans, so you can manage both services with a single provider and receive separate bills for each. GoSwitch can help you compare 1st Energy’s electricity and gas plans together so you can find the right combination for your household.

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