Tara Donnelly

Tara Donnelly is Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, leading the team that focuses on energy, telecommunications and consumer technology, across news, reviews and how-tos. Tara has spent more than a decade covering these topics in Australia, the US and Canada, which means she’s written about countless product launches and industry changes, including the rise of 5G, Australia’s ongoing NBN rollout, the recent years of energy price volatility and the rise of renewable energy sources. Tara also has long experience in writing within the comparison industry, giving her great insights into the information consumers want when determining which plan or device will best meet their needs, while time spent in the financial sector before turning her talent to content lets her crunch the numbers on price with ease. Tara leads the coverage of Canstar Blue’s ratings and awards for the internet and phone sectors and is an expert at advising consumers on how to use comparison tools to find the best power, internet or phone deal. Her expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. Tara has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and is passionate about simplifying complex subjects so consumers aren’t just informed, they’re connected and confident.


Graph of fluctuating energy rates.

Fixed rate energy plans explained

Posted by August 7th 2024

What is a fixed rate energy plan? Find out everything you need to know about fixed charge plans at Canstar Blue.




Speedometer representing NBN speed

Compare the best NBN 25 plans

Posted by July 17th 2024

With the NBN rollout completed, and many Aussies already on an NBN plan, it’s important to understand what the different speed tiers are and what they mean for your household's internet needs. While NBN Co …



Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 series

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 unveiled

Posted by October 1st 2024

Get ready to 'flip' over Samsung's latest foldable smartphones, the stylish and feature-packed Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 series. The premium new devices each offer a slimmed-down design, boosted internals and powerful AI …



Fossil fuels

What are fossil fuels?

Posted by January 30th 2025

What are fossil fuels, how are they formed and what are they used for in Australia? Find out at Canstar Blue.



Victorian Default Offer Explained

Victorian Default Offer (VDO) explained

Posted by July 3rd 2024

The Victorian Default Offer, or VDO, was introduced in July 2019. It meant that electricity providers' standing offers would be regulated and Victorian customers would no longer be left to pay expensive electricity plans by …