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.


Closeup of man configuring modem. Modem setup guide

How to configure a modem for WiFi

Posted by December 17th 2024

Setting up a new modem might seem like a task that should always be kept to the professionals. But with a compatible device and the right instructions, configuring your own modem can be quick and …


Young woman in orange jumper on white couch using laptop

Guide to your NBN connection box

Posted by December 16th 2024

If your property is connected to the NBN, it will have specialised equipment installed outside and inside to allow you to access to the internet — and depending on your technology type, this may include …


Average electricity bill

What is the average electricity bill?

Posted by December 16th 2024

Sometimes it’s good to be average. If you’re wondering how your electricity bills compare to other customers, Canstar Blue has the answers for you.


NBN plans for seniors

Cheapest NBN plans for seniors and pensioners in Australia

Posted by December 11th 2024

Everybody has different needs from their internet connection. Some people only need the internet for emails and Facebook, whereas other people need internet to run their businesses from home or enjoy some high-definition video streaming. …


Average solar bill

What is the average electricity bill with solar panels?

Posted by December 9th 2024

In this article, Canstar Blue takes a look at the average bill credits that Australians with solar panels could be earning on their electricity bills. The savings you may make from installing solar panels in …



Compare AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin energy plans

Powershop vs Origin: Electricity cost comparison

Posted by December 6th 2024

Origin is the big energy retailer, while Powershop is the new kid on the block. Where can you find the cheapest electricity prices? Read Canstar Blue’s review



NBN Speed Test

Posted by December 5th 2024

How do you know if your NBN speed is slow or not? Speed tests are easy to do and can reveal a lot about how good your internet is.