Trystan Casey
With more than twenty energy retailers offering electricity deals in Melbourne, it can be challenging to determine which company provides the cheapest rates. Various factors influence the price of electricity, including supply and usage charges, tariffs, and discounts. The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) ensures residents don't pay excessive prices for their energy usage by capping household electricity charges. Additionally, Victoria's deregulated energy market fosters competition among providers, resulting in competitive pricing. To find the most affordable electricity provider in Melbourne, it is essential to compare plans, consider usage rates, supply charges, contract details, and available discounts. Online tools and comparison services can assist in identifying the cheapest rates based on individual circumstances and energy usage.
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What You'll Learn
Energy plan comparisons
There are over twenty energy retailers in Melbourne, and each offers different plans with varying rates and features. To make an informed decision, it is essential to compare these plans based on your unique energy needs. Online comparison tools, such as those offered by WATTever and Canstar Blue, can assist in this process by providing personalised cost rankings. These tools consider factors such as your energy usage, tariff type, solar feed-in tariffs, and concessions to find the best deals for your household.
When comparing energy plans, it is important to ask prospective energy companies several key questions, including:
- What are the usage rates, supply charges, and how do they compare to other plans?
- How does the plan compare to the Victorian Default Offer (VDO), which ensures residents don't pay excessive rates?
- Are there any contracts or exit fees associated with the plan?
- What discounts are available, and how can I qualify for them? Are these discounts ongoing or short-term offers?
- Are there any additional sign-up incentives or benefits?
- What type of electricity tariffs are available, and how do they influence pricing?
It is worth noting that your choice of energy provider may depend on your location within Melbourne, as different areas are served by separate electricity networks with varying usage rates. Additionally, while switching providers regularly can often result in cost savings, it is essential to consider factors beyond pricing, such as customer service and renewable energy initiatives.
By regularly reviewing your energy plan and utilising available comparison tools, you can make informed decisions to find the cheapest electricity provider in Melbourne that suits your specific needs.
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Customer service
Lumo Energy has been awarded the title of having the most satisfied customers in Victoria, with five stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, customer service, and ease of sign-up. They beat Tango Energy and Powershop, which came in second and third place, respectively. However, it's worth noting that these ratings may change over time, and it's always a good idea to check for the most recent reviews and ratings.
When it comes to customer service, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, how easy is it to get in touch with the company? Are they responsive and timely in their responses? Do they provide multiple channels of communication, such as phone, email, and online chat? Secondly, how knowledgeable and helpful are the customer service representatives? Are they able to provide clear and concise answers to your queries, or do they leave you feeling more confused than before? Thirdly, how proactive is the company in resolving issues? Are they quick to address any problems that arise, or do they drag their feet and make you jump through hoops?
In addition to customer service, there are other factors to consider when choosing an electricity company. The price is, of course, a major consideration, and it's important to compare the different plans and tariffs on offer. Some companies may offer flat rates, while others have time-of-use rates where the price varies depending on the time of day. It's also worth looking into bundle deals, where you can get discounts for combining your electricity and gas plans. Green energy options are also becoming increasingly important, with many providers now offering carbon-neutral plans at no extra cost.
It's a good idea to regularly review your electricity plan and compare it to other offers on the market. This can be done through online comparison tools or by speaking to energy experts, such as those at Electricity Wizard, who can provide a free, accurate quote based on your specific needs and circumstances. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can ensure that you're getting the best value for your money and that you're happy not just with the price you pay but also with the customer service you receive.
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Victorian Default Offer (VDO)
The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) is a simple and trusted electricity price set by the Essential Services Commission, not energy companies. It provides Victorian consumers with access to a fair electricity deal, even if they are unable or unwilling to engage in the retail market. The VDO is reviewed annually to determine the efficient costs retailers need to recover to provide electricity to Victorian customers.
The VDO that applies to each Victoria network area varies. For instance, as of 2025, the VDO is $1902 in AusNet, $1456 in CitiPower, $1664 in Jemena, $1699 in Powercor, and $1554 in United Energy. The VDO relevant to a customer depends on their distribution zone, which can be found on their electricity bill or the Victorian Government's energy website.
Standing offers, which include the VDO, are contracts that electricity retailers must provide services under specific circumstances. For example, if a customer enters into an electricity contract, cancels it within the cooling-off period, but continues to use electricity without another contract. In contrast, market offers are competitive and may include discounts.
While the VDO provides a fair electricity deal, it may not be the lowest price available. Customers are encouraged to shop around and compare the VDO with other market offers to find the best deal for their needs. Online comparison tools can assist in this process by providing estimates based on historical usage and specific circumstances.
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Discounts and incentives
When looking for an electricity retailer, it is important to ask about any discounts that may be available to you. For example, ask what discount you can get off your bill and how you can qualify for it. You should also ask about the benefit term of the discount, i.e., whether it will disappear after a year. Additionally, ask about any additional sign-up incentives that may be available.
To find the best deals, you can use an energy comparison service. These services allow you to compare the pricing and plans of different energy providers in Melbourne. Some comparison services include WATTever, Canstar Blue, and Compare the Market. By using these tools, you can find retailers that offer cheaper options by purchasing individual plans with different providers. You can also use the government's comparison tool: https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/. When using these tools, it is recommended to have your energy bill and ID on hand to make the process easier.
It is also worth noting that Victoria has one of the most competitive energy markets in Australia, with the state deregulating electricity and gas retail prices in 2009. This allows providers to set their own prices, creating a highly competitive market. The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) ensures that residents don't pay excessive prices for their energy usage by capping household electricity charges.
Finally, it is worth considering switching providers at least once a year, as rates can vary depending on the season. For example, a provider that offers cheap rates during the off-peak period may not be the cheapest during the peak period. By regularly reviewing your electricity plan and comparing it to other offers on the market, you can take advantage of the best deals available.
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Renewable energy targets
There are now more than twenty competing energy retailers offering electricity deals in Melbourne. Websites like WATTever, Canstar Blue, and Compare the Market can help you compare the cheapest electricity plans in Melbourne. These websites allow you to compare electricity prices, plans, and discounts from various energy providers in Melbourne.
When choosing an energy plan, it is important to consider factors beyond just the price. Customer service is also crucial, and you should consider whether the energy company has efficient and responsive call centres. Canstar Blue, for instance, produces customer satisfaction ratings for electricity providers in Victoria every year. According to their report, Tango Energy is currently rated highest overall.
Additionally, it is essential to regularly review your electricity plan and compare it with other offers on the market. This is particularly true in Victoria, where energy companies are competing hard for your business. By comparing plans, you can find new discounts on your energy usage and competitive pricing that suits your needs and budget.
While considering these factors, you may also want to explore renewable energy plans. The City of Melbourne has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP). This project has facilitated a power purchase agreement with Tango Energy to provide 110 GWh of renewable electricity per year for ten years. The electricity will be used to power various facilities across greater Melbourne, including shopping centres, office buildings, educational campuses, and manufacturing facilities. The MREP aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and contribute to the city's emissions reduction targets.
In line with this, the Australian Government has implemented the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector and increase renewable electricity generation. The RET sets a target of delivering an extra 33,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from renewable sources annually from 2020 to 2030. The scheme includes the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The LRET encourages investment in large-scale renewable power stations, while the SRES issues small-scale technology certificates for installing eligible systems like rooftop solar panels and solar water heaters.
To support the transition to renewable energy, the RET creates a market that incentivizes the generation and use of renewable energy. It does so by creating tradable renewable energy certificates, with each certificate representing one megawatt-hour of electricity generated by a renewable energy system. Electricity retailers and high-energy users are required to purchase and surrender these certificates, increasing the demand for renewable energy and stimulating investment in renewable energy technologies. This, in turn, helps drive down the cost of renewable energy over time and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
There are over 20 energy retailers offering electricity deals in Melbourne, so it's important to compare prices to find the best deal. Some companies offering cheap electricity in Melbourne include Globird, Amber, and Tango Energy.
You can use an energy comparison service to find the cheapest rates in your area. Some services include WATTever, Canstar Blue, and Compare the Market.
The VDO is a cap on how much households can be charged for electricity in Victoria. The VDO that applies in each Victoria network area is $1902 in AusNet, $1456 in CitiPower, $1664 in Jemena, $1699 in Powercor, and $1554 in United Energy.
You should consider asking prospective energy companies questions such as: Are you offering me the plan with the lowest usage rates? How much are the supply charges and how do they compare to other plans? How does the plan compare to the Victorian Default Offer (VDO)? Is there a contract? What discount can I get off my bill and how do I qualify for the discount?
There are single-rate tariffs, also known as peak or flat-rate tariffs, which charge the same rate regardless of the time of day. There are also block-rate tariffs, which charge different rates for different blocks of energy usage, and time-of-use (TOU) tariffs, which vary depending on when you consume electricity.
