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.


What are the best 5G phones in Australia?

Posted by October 1st 2024

5G is being rolled out worldwide and Australia has jumped on the bandwagon, with 5G now available across most major cities and metro areas. If you’re lucky enough to live or work in a 5G-enabled …


iPhone 15 Pro phones

Unlimited data iPhone plans compared

Posted by October 1st 2024

If you're planning to upgrade to the iPhone 16 series — or just want a good deal on an iPhone — you're going to need the right data plan. The iPhone 16 range offers more …


Is my modem NBN compatible?

Posted by September 24th 2024

With the NBN rollout complete but with some homes scoring a speed and connection upgrade, but when it comes to upgrading to a better NBN plan, you may not benefit from the network’s full potential …


iPhone 16 series

Apple announces iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro series

Posted by October 1st 2024

Apple's 2024 iPhone series is official, with the tech giant unveiling four new high-end smartphones with upgraded features and specs. The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max come …



Close-up of red fuel bowser.

How to save 10c a litre on fuel with Ampol Energy

Posted by September 25th 2024

Keen for some price pain relief on both your home power bills and trips to the bowser? Then it could be time to check out Ampol Energy and its attractive fuel discount offer. That’s right, petrol …


NBN installation costs

How much does NBN installation cost?

Posted by September 20th 2024

While the first round of the rollout technically concluded in 2020, upgrades are still being conducted across the country to give more Aussies access to the fastest and most reliable internet speeds possible. This whole …


iPhone 16 in blue and pink

The best iPhone 16 deals and trade-in offers in Australia

Posted by September 14th 2024

Apple's all-new iPhone 16 series combines premium hardware with cutting-edge software and AI: but while many Australians will be keen to upgrade, these are far from the cheapest phones on the market. Although outright prices …


Switching gas providers

What is the average gas bill?

Posted by December 5th 2024

The following information is based on a survey finalised in December 2023 and calculated as an average of estimated quarterly bills based on survey respondents' latest bill. As such, the average quarterly bill sums cited …


Washing machine running costs

Washing Machine Running Costs

Posted by November 22nd 2024

How much does it cost to do a load of washing? Canstar Blue takes a close look at what your washing machine adds to your electricity and water bills.