Which tariff is right for your household?
There's no single 'best' tariff — it depends on your solar, your schedule, your appliances, and how willing you are to shift when you use power. This guide helps you narrow it down.
Quick decision guide
“I want simple, predictable bills”
No solar, can’t easily shift usage, or just prefer knowing what you’ll pay.
Flat rate is your best bet →“I have solar and/or can shift loads to off-peak”
Solar panels, EV, flexible schedule — you can run heavy appliances during cheap windows.
Time-of-use will reward you →“I’m disciplined about staggering heavy appliances”
Willing to never run the oven, AC, and EV charger simultaneously. Your peak kW draw stays low.
Demand tariff could save you money →“I have electric hot water with a big tank”
Electric storage hot water on a separate circuit can run off-peak at a fraction of the cost.
Add a controlled load →“I have a battery and want to maximise returns”
Tech-savvy, battery-equipped household ready to trade energy with the grid.
Explore EV & flexible tariffs →Household type cheat sheet
| Household type | Recommended tariff | Add-on |
|---|---|---|
| Renter, no solar | Flat rate | CL if available |
| Family with solar | Time-of-use | CL for hot water |
| Solar + battery | Time-of-use or two-way | VPP program |
| EV owner | TOU or EV-specific | Off-peak charging schedule |
| Retiree, home all day | Flat rate (or TOU if solar) | CL if available |
| Tech-savvy, battery + automation | Wholesale pass-through | HEMS, VPP |
How to compare actual plans
Once you know which tariff structure suits you, compare actual plans:
- Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) — the Australian government’s official comparison tool. Enter your postcode and current usage to see available plans ranked by estimated annual cost.
- Victorian Energy Compare (compare.energy.vic.gov.au) — for Victorian households, the state government’s comparison site.
- Your current bill — check your tariff type, rates, and daily usage. Use the Bill Breakdown Visualizer to understand where your money goes before switching.
Don't just compare rates
Still not sure?
Start with the simplest option that matches your situation. You can always switch tariffs later — most retailers let you change plans without exit fees. Try it for a quarter, compare to your old bills, and adjust from there.
Continue in Tariffs