It’s two of the big three energy giants up against each other – Origin and EnergyAustralia. Both are very well-known and serve millions of Aussies apiece, but does notoriety mean they’re the right choice when it comes to your electricity?
Here at Canstar Blue, we’ve done the legwork for you, comparing each provider’s cheapest plans to deduce which offers the cheapest deals and rates where you live. Since electricity bills vary considerably depending on the energy network and state in which you reside, we’ve broken down what you can expect to pay on an Origin and EnergyAustralia plan across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. Let’s begin with a quick comparison by state. Alternatively, jump straight into our electricity comparison tool to compare plans in your area.
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It is always a good idea to keep informed on other electricity providers and the current deals on the market.
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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11% Less than reference price |
$1,614 Price/year (estimated) |
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18% Less than reference price |
$1,491 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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10% Less than VDO |
$1,304 Price/year (estimated) |
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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4% Less than reference price |
$1,990 Price/year (estimated) |
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Origin vs EnergyAustralia – cheapest deals
Here are the current cheapest published deals on our database for Origin and EnergyAustralia across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, with any conditional discounts factored in.
Which deal is cheapest in NSW: Origin or EnergyAustralia?
In this case, EnergyAustralia is offering the cheapest price. Compare these plans and providers against a range of others in our NSW price comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia on our database for NSW. This table includes products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in VIC: Origin or EnergyAustralia?
In Victoria, Origin and EnergyAustralia have equal prices for their cheapest plans. To see how these products go against others available in the state, head to our Victoria energy price comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Origin and EnergyAustralia on our database for Victoria. This table includes products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in QLD: Origin or EnergyAustralia?
In QLD, Origin and EnergyAustralia have equal prices for their cheapest plans. See what else is on offer in South East Queensland in our QLD cost comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia on our database for SEQ. This table includes products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Which deal is cheapest in SA: Origin or EnergyAustralia?
In South Australia, Origin currently offers the cheapest plan. Although there is a big difference in overall costs, just remember there are many other plans and providers available in Adelaide and surrounds – take a look at them in our SA electricity price comparison report.
Here are the cheapest published deals for Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia on our database for SA. This table includes products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
What plans are available from Origin?
Origin is Australia’s biggest energy company, with millions of customers across Australia and investment into a range of fossil fuel and renewable energy generators. It supplies customers in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory with electricity and in some cases gas. As far as the retailer’s plans go, you can expect to see plans offering unconditional discounts.
Origin plans
Here are the staple plans available when signing up to Origin Energy. Not all of these plans are available in each state, but to check which are, input your suburb into our electricity comparison tool above.
- Go Variable: The Origin Go Variable plan is a no lock-in contract that carries variable rates for a 12-month benefit period. This plan also comes in another variant called Everyday Rewards, which as the name suggests, offers 5,000 Everyday Rewards points to new customers – existing customers who switch to this offer will receive 2,500 points instead.
- Home Support: This plan comes with variable rates for 12-months, plus a 12-month Allianz Emergency Home Assistance membership.
- Basic: This plan offers no conditional discounts, contract terms or exit fees. It has the highest rates of any Origin product, in line with the Reference Price in NSW, QLD and VIC and VDO in Victoria.
Origin solar
Origin is one of the limited brands offering solar-specific plans to customers that come with some of the highest feed-in tariffs available on the market.
- Solar Boost: This plan is designed for customers with solar panels. It includes a boosted feed-in tariff of 10c/kWh for the first 14kWh/day, depending on location. After this, it reverts to a smaller feed-in tariff which varies depending on location.
- Solar Boost Plus: In NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and the ACT, customers who have purchased a new solar system from Origin can sign up to the Solar Boost Plus, which quite often comes with no saving off the Reference Price or VDO. In exchange, solar customers can expect to find boosted feed-in tariffs of between 17c/kWh and 18c/kWh depending on the state they’re in and the size system installed. This plan has a 12-month benefit period.
- Go Solar Variable: Available in NSW, VIC, SA and QLD, this offer is open to customers with a net metered solar PV system, who aren’t already receiving a government funded feed-in tariff. This is a variable rate plan that includes FiTs of between 3.3c and 10c/kWh, depending on your state.
Customers who chose not to be on these dedicated plans can still expect a feed-in tariff, which currently sits at 4.9c/kWh-12c/kWh depending on the state. See more on our solar comparison page.
What plans are available from EnergyAustralia?
Another one of Australia’s ‘big three’ power retailers, EnergyAustralia offers electricity and gas plans in NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and the ACT. As with the other major retailers, EnergyAustralia offers plans with discounts, as well as a no-discount option that comes with lower base rates. Benefit periods range from 12 to 24 months, and no exit fees apply.
EnergyAustralia plans
EnergyAustralia currently has two market offers available in Australia. All states and areas in the National Electricity Market will see the same plans on offer but with varying discounts and conditions. Here’s a rough guide of what to expect from them:
- Flexi Plan: This plan carries a guaranteed discount, and advertises low, variable rates for a 12 month benefit period. This plan also has no exit fees or lock-in contracts.
- Balance Plan Home: This plan offers variable rates over a 12-month benefit period. It has no exit fees.
- Rate Fix Plan: This plan locks in your usage and supply rates for 12 months.
EnergyAustralia solar
EnergyAustralia offers customers with solar panels a feed-in tariff (FiT) for their exported solar power. Here’s what you can expect in each state:
- VIC: 3.3c/kWh
- NSW: 7.6c/kWh
- QLD: 6.6c/kWh
- SA: 8.5c/kWh
- ACT: 7.6c/kWh
Should I sign up to Origin or EnergyAustralia?
It’s close competition in this comparison, however both retailers have a lot to offer in terms of value-add incentives, like guaranteed discounts, occasional sign-up credits and rewards points. What’s important to mention is that while prices and rates are definitely something to consider when looking for an energy plan, it’s far from the be-all-end-all. Both retailers are long-standing, having handled millions of customers and have well-established ways of doing things, but there are a few things that separate them.
Origin has a range of solar specific products offering some of the highest feed-in tariffs available on the Australian market. Remember that these two providers are a far cry from your only options when looking at making the switch to a new electricity plan, and if you want to see what’s available in your specific area, follow the link below.
This comparison is based on a very specific household, with usage figures and postcodes detailed above. Any annual cost estimates should be considered indicative only and not an actual quote. Please use our comparison tool for information catered to your location and electricity usage estimates.
Image credit: sitthichai.tum/Shutterstock.com
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