Read your electricity bill before comparing plans.

Start with the billing period

Find the dates covered by your bill and count the days. A larger total may reflect a longer billing period rather than a higher daily cost. When you compare two bills, bring both into the same time frame.

Separate supply from usage

The supply charge is the daily cost of staying connected. The usage charge is the cost of the electricity you use. Compare both. A plan with a lower usage rate and a higher supply charge may cost more for a low-usage household.

Check the tariff

A single-rate tariff charges one usage rate. Time-of-use tariffs have different rates at different times. Demand tariffs can add another calculation. A single-rate estimate does not establish the cost of a different tariff type.

Use your own consumption

An advertised annual estimate uses assumptions that may not reflect your home. Find the kilowatt-hours on your bill and use that consumption for both plans. Seasonal heating or cooling can make a short period less representative of a full year.

Read credits and conditions

Check whether a discount depends on paying on time, whether a credit applies once, and when an offer ends. Solar feed-in rates can change the comparison again. Include only the benefits you are eligible to receive.

Confirm before switching

Check your address, meter, current contract, and the new provider terms. Keep a copy of the offer you reviewed. A useful comparison helps you ask better questions; the provider must confirm the actual offer available to you.

Useful official reading

The Australian Government's Energy Made Easy explains the supply, usage, and tariff components of a bill. Its plan-search explanation also describes how your information affects an estimate.

Sources reviewed on 30 September 2026. The example calculations in this guide use illustrative prices.