Learn more about Electricity in NSW
NSW electricity is transmitted by three companies, with each responsible for a specific region:
- Ausgrid
- Covers: Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter Valley regions
- Endeavour Energy
- Covers: Greater Western Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast
- Essential Energy
- Covers: Regional and rural areas of NSW
Gas Distributors
Gas distribution in NSW is handled by four companies:
- Jemena Gas Networks
- Covers: Illawarra, Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Highlands, Hunter, Riverina, Central West and Orana
- Evoenergy
- Covers: Queanbeyan, Bungendore (Palerang), Nowra
- Australian Gas Networks (Wagga Wagga Gas Distribution Network)
- Covers: Bombala, Culcairn, Cooma and Wagga Wagga
- APA Group (Central Ranges System)
- Covers: Tamworth
Note: You can find your distributor on the first page of your energy bill. This information is accurate as of January 2025.
Electricity Tariffs
- Single Rate Tariff
- Same price all day and night
- Time of use doesn’t affect what you pay
- Controlled Load
- Lower rates for specific appliances
- Usually for devices that run during off-peak times
- Examples: pool pumps, electric hot water systems
- Time of Use
- Different prices at different times
- Peak hours cost more than off-peak hours
- Requires a smart meter
- Can include different rates for weekdays vs weekends
- Demand
- A charge for your maximum rate of usage in a month. May vary by season or time of day.
- Energy has charges for evening peak and non-evening off peak times.
- Requires a smart meter
- Solar Feed-in Tariff
- Get paid for extra electricity your solar panels send to the grid
- Credit appears on your bill
Gas Tariffs
- Flat Rate
- Same price regardless of when you use gas
- Consistent billing throughout the day
- Block Rate
- First amount of gas used (first “block”) has one price
- Additional usage (next “block”) has a different price
- Example: first 27 MJ at one rate, then higher/lower rate after that
Most customers stay with the same energy provider too long and pay the loyalty tax. Our unique electricity online portal is updated every day and takes the hassle out of switching..
It’s dead easy to switch. You get details of cheapest energy provider NSW and simple 3 step instructions to complete your switch. Signing up just takes a few minutes.
If you have a smart meter you can choose from different tariff options.
If you have a remotely read meter it is quicker to complete the switch, otherwise the switch will be completed when your meter is read. Check with your distributor: Endeavour, Essential Energy and Ausgrid
ISelect are the market leader in comparing energy plans in NSW and regional NSW but as we show in our recent article, they often don’t have the cheapest electricity suppliers NSW or the cheapest gas suppliers NSW because they only compare for the companies that pay them. The energy companies don’t allow them to switch you again when a cheaper price is available as we do. Our electricity tariff comparison tool is always checking for the cheapest deal. Get every offer from every company compared. We don’t accept commissions or payments or inducements from energy companies. We only work for you.
New South Wales (NSW) residents may be eligible for energy rebates and concessions to help pay their electricity and gas bills.
- Low Income Household Rebate: Available to eligible households, this rebate is up to $350 per year and is credited quarterly to your bill. You may qualify if you have a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Gold Card from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
- National Energy Bill Relief: All NSW households are eligible for a Bill Relief payment of up to $300. Most households will receive this payment automatically in quarterly installment.
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA): You can apply for EAPA through Service NSW.
| Network | Tariff Switching | Default tariff | Optional tariffs | Tariff change frequency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ausgrid | Anytime Tariff (EA010) Status: Closed to new customers Switching to this tariff: Not permitted Permitted Switching Options Switching between Time Of Use and Demand tariffs is allowed Switching from Anytime tariff to Time Of Use or Demand tariffs is permitted Note: This likely requires a smart meter upgrade | Demand (EA116) | Time Of Use (EA025) or Demand (EA115) | reassignment per 12 months is allowed. | Link |
| Endeavour Energy | Anytime Tariff (N70) Status: Closed to new customers Switching to this tariff: Not permitted Permitted Switching Options Switching between Time Of Use and Demand tariffs is allowed Switching from Anytime tariff to Time Of Use or Demand tariffs is permitted Note: This likely requires a smart meter upgrade | Demand (N73) | Time Of Use (N71) | Link | |
| Essential Energy | Switching is permitted between Anytime, Time Of Use, and Demand tariffs All switching is subject to meter capability | Time Of Use (BLNT3AL/AU) | Anytime (BLNN2AU) or Demand (BLND1AR) | Only one tariff reassignment per 12 months is allowed. | Link |