AGL vs Origin: How do they compare?

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There are more than 20 different energy providers operating in Australia, but two of them have more market share than the rest combined. They are AGL and Origin Energy, and in this review we compare their electricity plans across the country to find out which offers the best terms and the cheapest prices where you live.

We won’t bore you with a history lesson about each of these big companies because, quite frankly, who cares? Instead, let’s just focus on the important stuff – what AGL and Origin Energy offer their customers, and where you can find the best deal. To do this, we’ll focus on each state separately.

While the electricity plans you will see often have the same names across Australia, it’s important to read the specifics because the details can vary considerably between states. Also keep in mind that energy providers tend to change their discounts and incentives quite frequently, so the below details are subject to change.

AGL vs Origin Energy – How do they match up?

Here is a quick comparison of AGL and Origin Energy.

*Green energy rating refers to the Green Electricity Guide 2024, Greenpeace.

AGL and Origin Energy – cheapest deals

Here are the current cheapest published deals on our database for AGL and Origin across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, with any conditional discounts factored in.

Which deal is cheapest in NSW: AGL or Origin Energy?

Origin Energy currently has the cheapest plan in NSW. You can see how AGL and Origin Energy compare to other providers in our NSW electricity cost comparison report.

Here are the AGL and Origin Energy plans 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: AGL or Origin?

In Victoria, you’ll notice that AGL and Origin offer the same pricing. You can see how AGL and Origin compare to many other providers in the state with our Victoria electricity cost comparison report.

Here are the AGL and Origin Energy plans 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: AGL or Origin?

In South East Queensland, you’ll see that AGL is offering the cheapest plan. Find out how these costs compare to other providers in the state with our SEQ electricity costs report.

Here are the AGL and Origin Energy plans 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: AGL or Origin?

In Adelaide, you’ll find Origin has the cheapest plan. See how AGL and Origin compare to other energy providers in the state with our SA electricity costs report.

Here are the AGL and Origin Energy plans on our database for South Australia. 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 do AGL and Origin offer?

Both AGL and Origin offer a good variety of electricity plans to their customers, with significant savings off the Reference Price/VDO reflecting the competitiveness of the local markets.

AGL energy plans

• Value Saver: This deal offers competitive variable rates for an ongoing benefit period. There is no conditional discount or exit fees attached with this offer, but customers will have to sign up online. A sign-up credit is currently available to customers in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA.
• Netflix Plan: This offer includes an ongoing Netflix Standard with ads subscription, or a discount on Netflix Standard and Netflix Premium. This is a variable rate plan with no lock-in contract. A sign-up credit is currently offered in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA.
• Senior Savers Plan: This deal is only available for senior card holders in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA. This is a variable rate plan with no lock-in contract or exit fees. A sign-up offer is available for new or moving customers.

Origin energy plans

• Origin Everyday Rewards Variable: Origin Everyday Rewards gives new customers 5,000 Woolies Everyday Rewards points. Existing Origin customers who switch to this offer will receive 2,500 points instead. An additional point is also earned for every dollar spent on bills. Customers who opt into carbon offsets will also receive bonus points.
• Go Variable – New Customer Only: This plan comes with variable rates for a 12-month benefit period. There is another variation of this plan which comes with 5,000 Everyday Rewards points for new customers and 2,500 points for existing customers who switch to this offer. Plus, additional points can be earned when paying bills
• Home Support: This plan comes with basic rates, but offers instead a 12-month membership to Allianz Emergency Home Assistance membership
• Basic – New and Moving Customer Only: This is Origin’s bare-bones plan that offers no discounts but aligns with the VDO or reference price in each respective state.

AGL vs Origin – Which is cheaper?

AGL and Origin are neck-and-neck on price in all NSW, VIC, QLD and SA, according to our price estimates on this page. Keep in mind that your specific location and personal energy consumption will ultimately determine which provider and plan is cheapest for you. Between AGL and Origin, there is usually little in it when it comes to annual prices.

So what have we learned here? Well, based on these comparisons, AGL and Origin are both highly competitive in each of the states they’re available in, though it’s important to point out that different tariffs may bring different results, and that prices vary between distribution networks in NSW and Victoria. Use our energy comparison tool for a specific quote in your area.

The message would be that it’s worth paying attention to the discounts offered with electricity plans, because not only will they help to reduce your overall costs, the percentage often directly relates to which plans work out cheapest. This will make selecting a new plan a little easier, but probably shouldn’t dictate your final decision because there are other things to consider when searching for a new energy deal.

AGL and Origin in Western Australia

In addition to competing on the east coast of Australia, AGL and Origin are also now battling it out for market share when it comes to gas in Western Australia. However, they face a tough fight to break through up against established gas suppliers Alinta Energy and Kleenheat. AGL and Origin currently offer the following gas plans in the Perth area:

AGL

• AGL Savers: This plan provides a generous 40% discount off gas usage and supply charges when you pay on time. The benefit period is 12 months. This is a variable rate product
• AGL Set and Forget: This plan carries the largest discount at 41% off gas usage and supply charges for 12 months. The discount is conditional on paying by direct debit.

Origin

• Everyday Rewards: Like its electricity deals across the eastern states, this gas plan offers new customers 5,000 Everyday Rewards points and existing customers 2,500 points upon signing up. It has no exit fees and a 12-month benefit period.
• Go Variable: While this plan doesn’t come with any discounts, it promises low, rates for 12 months.

Should I sign up to AGL or Origin Energy?

AGL and Origin both offer other incentives in a bid to secure your custom. AGL’s big selling point is its exclusive rewards program, while Origin has its own points-based plan, which allows customers to earn a generous amount of Everyday Rewards points.

Both AGL and Origin also promote their online account management tools to help you closely monitor your energy usage. This is important because, while the energy plan you’re on will dictate how much you pay, so will the amount of power you actually use. The AGL app and Origin app are both great tools for people looking to manage their accounts on the go.

AGL and Origin both additionally offer GreenPower-accredited plans to customers throughout Australia. For AGL, this takes the form of its Green Choice product which can be added to plans for an additional amount on usage costs. Customers can choose between 20% or 100% GreenPower. Origin customers can select 25%, 50% or 100% GreenPower on top of any plan.

If you’re close to making a decision about whether AGL or Origin are the best bet for your household, we suggest a look at our customer satisfaction ratings to see how other consumers rate both providers.

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Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: urbans/Shutterstock