With a confusing array of plans and companies to choose from, it's easy to just throw your hands up in the air and stick with your existing energy supplier. But if you haven't reviewed your energy plan recently, chances are you're paying too much. We can show you how to crunch the numbers.
Utilities
Choosing your energy supplier
Are you paying too much for your energy?
Articles
Energy and water companies are failing family violence survivors
A new report finds victim/survivors are being put at risk due to poor protections from their essential service retailers
CHOICE files energy retailer 'super complaint' with the ACCC
We're targeting confusing and complicated energy pricing in our first designated complaint to the regulator.
Why the electricity pricing safety net isn't working
Default market offers are supposed to protect consumers who don't pick an energy plan, but it appears the system is broken.
The new rules that could help with your electricity bill
Energy companies could be forced to limit price increases and offer better support to those in hardship.
Smart meter opt-out officially ends in June, but some retailers will let you delay
CHOICE has heard from energy customers who have been able to delay installation, while others are given no option.
What MyConnect isn't telling you
Salespeople offer to help connect your utilities, but are you getting the best deal from this conflicted company?
4 energy switching myths busted
If you're thinking of switching power companies but have some concerns, here's what you need to know.
Who makes sure your energy smart meter is accurate?
Metering businesses are beyond the reach of the energy ombudsman in NSW, and have a poor record of sharing meter data with retailers.
Queensland offers relief from smart meter demand charges
New regulations mean that energy retailers must offer flat-rate plans to customers with smart meters.
Retailers using smart meters to increase energy bills
New ‘demand charges’ and other tariffs are catching some customers by surprise.
Consumers trust energy retailers less than supermarkets and banks
They also think energy retailers offer worse value for money than supermarkets, with many struggling with unexpectedly high bills.
Residential disconnections for gas and electricity on the rise again
The regulator stepped in to protect consumers last year, but energy retailers are again cutting off struggling customers.
EnergyAustralia pays $14 million for misleading customers on pricing
After issuing several infringement notices to smaller retailers, the ACCC has won its first case against one of the ‘big three’.
How Bring Your Bills Day is making a big difference
A community event is helping residents to increase their financial literacy and pay their bills.
Are you paying more than other customers for the same energy plan?
The pricing strategies of Momentum, Origin and other energy retailers make it hard to know if you're getting the best deal.
How does the government’s $300 energy rebate work?
Everything you need to know about the rebate, plus some extra tips to keep your bills down.
Experts alarmed as energy companies promote crowdfunding
Are energy companies dodging financial hardship obligations?
'People are being put in incredible danger': Essential services failing to protect privacy
Family violence perpetrators are gaining access to private details that endanger victim/survivors.
Complaints about electricity providers skyrocket
Disputed bills and increased energy prices hitting NSW residents hard.
Remote Aboriginal communities left behind in Australia's rooftop solar boom
Rooftop solar could reduce high energy costs and prevent blackouts, but regulatory hurdles are slowing progress.
The worst performing energy retailers
Thinking of switching electricity providers? These aren't the brightest sparks.
Best electricity providers: Diamond Energy and Amber Electric
The best retailers for call response, complaints and environmental sustainability over the past 12 months.
How hard is it to switch electricity companies?
It's easier than you might think – and you don't even have to pick up the phone to do it.
Embedded networks trapping customers with expensive electricity
Half a million Australians are locked into an embedded network for their power, with reduced consumer protections.
How to switch to the best electricity provider
Get a better deal and keep more money in your pocket.
Experts sound alarm on complex household energy tariffs
Households are being advised to avoid electricity plans with 'demand pricing', traditionally reserved for large businesses.
Why it's worth considering a smaller energy retailer
Bigger doesn't always equal better, but do good things come in small packages?
Complaints about estimated energy bills on the rise
Customers should check their bills, as retailers turn to estimating energy use instead of reading meters during COVID.
Powershop shock and the struggle to find green energy retailers
Lack of information about the green credentials of energy retailers stops people making environmentally conscious choices.
Save on your energy bill
Do it yourself, or have someone do it for you – finding the best energy provider doesn't have to be a hassle.
The problem with some energy bill comparison sites
Do websites like iSelect, Compare the Market and Canstar really help you find a better deal on power?
The latest in our fight against 'pay on time' discounts
We want to stop energy retailers taking advantage of Australians with conditional discounts and late fees on bills.
Pay-on-time energy discounts on the chopping block
Government acts to end a confusing and costly flimflam.
Nectr review
Nectr is an electricity retailer that offers some 100% renewable plans, with a focus on solar.
ReAmped Energy review
ReAmped is a Queensland-based retailer with competitive solar feed-in tariffs and solar plans for customers.
OVO Energy review
OVO is a major UK energy retailer with a small Australian branch servicing a few thousand households.
Locality Planning Energy review
Locality Planning Energy is a Queensland-based retailer that offers solar installation and embedded networks.
Metered Energy review
Metered Energy is an electricity and gas retailer operating in regional and South East Queensland.
AGL review
AGL is one of the largest electricity retailers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to AGL.
EnergyAustralia review
EnergyAustralia is one of the largest electricity retailers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to EnergyAustralia.
Origin Energy review
Origin Energy is one of the largest electricity and gas retailers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Origin Energy.
Alinta Energy review
Alinta Energy has just under 450,000 customers throughout Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Alinta Energy.
Diamond Energy review
Diamond Energy is one of the greenest energy providers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Diamond Energy.
Powershop Australia review
Powershop Australia has been voted Australia's greenest power company for three years running by Greenpeace but it has since been acquired by Shell. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Powershop Australia.
1st Energy review
1st Energy is one of the smaller electricity retailers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to 1st Energy.
Tango Energy review
Tango Energy is a small retailer in Australia that owns several wind farms and hydro plants. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Tango Energy.
Energy Locals review
Energy Locals has over 46,000 customers in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Energy Locals.
Momentum Energy review
Momentum Energy supplies power to over 127,000 customers across Australia's major cities. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Momentum Energy.
Red Energy review
Red Energy is a large electricity retailer in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Red Energy.
Powerdirect review
Powerdirect is a subsidiary of AGL, with a strong focus on supplying electricity to businesses. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Powerdirect.
Simply Energy review
Simply Energy provides power and gas to just over 380,000 customers around Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Simply Energy.
Aurora Energy review
Aurora Energy supplies gas and electricity to over 240,000 customers in Tasmania. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Aurora Energy.
Lumo Energy review
Lumo Energy supplies electricity and gas to almost 204,000 customers in Victoria and South Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Lumo Energy.
Dodo Power & Gas Review
Dodo is not just an internet provider, they also supply electricity and gas to customers around Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Dodo Power & Gas.
Sumo Power Review
Sumo is a one-stop shop for energy and internet, with no lock-in contracts. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Sumo Power.
Globird Energy Review
GloBird is a Victoria-based electricity supplier. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to GloBird Energy.
Mojo Power Review
Mojo is a small power retailer operating in Queensland and New South Wales. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Mojo Power.
CovaU Energy
CovaU is a small energy retailer in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to CovaU Energy.
Amber Electric review
Amber Electric is a wholesaler of electricity in Australia. Here's what you need to know before deciding whether to switch to Amber Electric.
Related
Shopping for services
If you're paying someone else to do it for you, you'll want them to do it better or faster than you would.
Shopping
Know your rights, know when you're being manipulated, and most of all know where to sniff out the best bargains.
Taking action and making a complaint
Don't just yell and scream to let off steam, get the outcome you want with some targeted complaining.