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.


Renewable energy

What is renewable energy and how does it work in Australia?

Posted by November 29th 2024

Renewable energy is a hot topic these days. With countries around the world slowly building their renewable energy portfolios, it seems the pressure is on for Australia to keep up. But what exactly is renewable …


Woman with shopping bags using phone

The best EOFY phone plan and smartphone deals 2024

Posted by June 19th 2024

The mid-year sales season is a great time to bag serious bargains on not just appliances, fashion and homewares, but also smartphones. Telcos and manufacturers alike are slashing prices on devices and plans this end …


Piggy bank by electricity bill

Default power prices to drop July 1: How much will you save?

Posted by June 17th 2024

Australian households on standing offers could see as much as $190 shaved off their annual electricity bills from July 1, with the country's energy regulators locking in default energy prices for 2024-25. The Australian Energy Regulator …




Woman upset at internet outage

How to check for NBN outages in Australia

Posted by May 27th 2024

Having easy access to home internet is essential, whether it’s for work, study or just our day-to-day lives. That’s why it can be especially frustrating if your home internet goes down, when you have no …


NBN prices

How much does the NBN cost per month?

Posted by May 23rd 2024

Whether you’re looking to save some money on your household budget or you’re just wondering if you’re getting the best value for money internet plan, it’s good to know how much does NBN cost per …


Optus 5G

Optus 5G network explained

Posted by October 11th 2024

With 5G networks rolling out across the country, accessing 5G networks and services is becoming much easier. The Optus 5G network has been rolling out since 2019 and since then, has expanded across the country …


Winter Heating Costs Explained

Winter heating costs explained

Posted by May 27th 2024

As the mercury falls and Aussies begin to dust off their heaters, it’s time to think ahead to your winter energy bill. So to help customers better understand their electricity and gas usage for this …


Victoria

Victoria energy concessions and rebates explained

Posted by May 22nd 2024

If you're a Victorian resident, you may be eligible for a range of electricity and gas rebates and concessions to help cut your power bills. In this article, Canstar Blue lists current energy rebates in …