4.0 / 5
Comparing takes 10 minutes with a recent bill and your NMI. Start with government tools (Energy Made Easy, Victoria Energy Compare) for unbiased results, then check challenger retailers like GloBird for sign-up credits.
✓ What we like
- Average first-year savings of around $330 for Victorian households
- Free government comparison tools with no commercial bias
- Switching is handled by the new retailer with no supply interruption
✗ What could be better
- Conditional discounts can cost more if you miss payment terms
- Plans and rates change frequently, so savings erode without re-checking
Victorians saved around $330 in their first year on electricity bills using the Victoria Energy Compare website — and a comparison takes about 10 minutes. Here’s everything you need to compare effectively, whichever state you’re in.
What you need before comparing
- A recent energy bill
- Your household’s usage details (on the bill)
- Your National Metering Identifier (NMI — also on the bill)
Understanding what you’re paying for
Your bill has two parts: a fixed daily supply charge for network access, and a variable usage charge based on consumption. Time-of-use tariffs, your contract type and your state all affect pricing. Peak hours cost more — shifting usage to off-peak windows can produce real savings on its own.
The Victorian Default Offer and national Default Market Offer act as price safety nets — if you’ve never switched, you’re probably paying close to these reference prices, and almost any market offer will beat them.
How to compare and switch
- Use a government tool first. Energy Made Easy (national) and Victoria Energy Compare are free and unbiased.
- Check rates, not discounts. Compare cents per kWh and daily supply charges. Avoid conditional discounts unless you reliably pay on time.
- Ask about exit fees from your current plan and any sign-up credits on the new one.
- Switch. The new retailer handles everything — your power is never interrupted, and a 10-business-day cooling-off period applies.
- Re-check yearly. Rates change; loyalty is penalised.
Renewable options worth considering
Solar remains the biggest long-term saver for owner-occupiers — panels typically pay back in 3–6 years depending on state rebates and feed-in tariffs. GreenPower plans cost slightly more per kWh but require no upfront investment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does switching take? A few days; the retailers do the work.
Will my power be interrupted? No — the switch is administrative only.
What’s a cooling-off period? You have 10 business days to change your mind without penalty.