Cheapest electricity prices in Melbourne, Victoria

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To help Victorians find a cheaper plan, Canstar Blue has compared costs from the five electricity distribution networks in Victoria to show what you can expect to pay with each of them.

It’s important to note that if you haven’t switched electricity providers in the last couple of years, then you are almost certainly on a basic energy plan and likely paying more than you need to. New customers can benefit from generous electricity discounts that have short benefit periods of just 12 months. After this time, you will start paying the higher rate, meaning that to get the best deals, you need to be willing to switch every year or two, otherwise you’ll end up paying the ‘lazy tax’.

Canstar Blue has produced a cost comparison for electricity retailers in Melbourne, showing their cheapest offers and what you can expect to pay.

Our price calculations are based on a specific postcode in Melbourne. To get a quote for your suburb, use Canstar Blue’s comparison tool here. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, so please check electricity retailer websites for current information.

Based on the cents per kWh of usage costs and daily supply charges of the providers we’ve compared, this page shows estimated annual bills for customers on the Citipower network in Melbourne, compared to the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) as a point of reference.

Compare the cheapest electricity plans Melbourne, Victoria

• VIC Sponsored Plans
• VIC Plans

Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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.

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Based on the general usage^ in the Citipower network the VDO reference price is: $1,456 / year

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10% Less than VDO

$1,304 Price/year (estimated)

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Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. 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 and to see other products in our database that may be available. 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 energy provider is cheapest in Melbourne, Victoria?

According to the Canstar Blue database, GloBird Energy, Tango Energy and 1st Energy currently offer the cheapest electricity plans in this comparison for Victoria. It’s worth noting, however, that electricity prices in Victoria can change frequently, so be sure to check back soon.

To see what you can expect to pay from these electricity retailers, we’ve listed the cheapest plans below. Please note, these prices are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne with a general energy usage assumption of 4000kWh/year. In instances where one provider may have multiple cheap offers, we show only one product with the lowest price estimate first. The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) for this area is currently $1,456/year. 

The pricing shown below is based on the Citipower network in Melbourne, Victoria. If you’d like a more accurate quote from your area, use the free Canstar Blue comparison tool.

GloBird Boost Residential (GloBird Energy)

Here is GloBird Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Value Select (Tango Energy)

Here is Tango Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

1st Super Saver (1st Energy)

Here is 1st Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Best-Rated Electricity Providers VIC

More of the cheapest electricity deals in Melbourne, Victoria

Sometimes the cheapest possible deal isn’t the right deal for you. Some customers may prefer a specific type of product, which is why we’ve also listed the cheapest plans on our database for customers looking for a specific product type, including plans from the big three, 0% discount plans, discounted plans, plus variable rate and fixed rate plans. These have been compared to the VDO and are in no particular order.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (No Discount) – GloBird Energy, GloBird Boost Residential

Here is GloBird Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Variable Rates) – GloBird Energy, GloBird Boost Residential

Here is GloBird Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Discounted) – GloBird Energy, GloBird Glosave Residential

Here is GloBird Energy’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Big 3 Provider) – Origin, Go Variable – New Customer Only

Here is Origin’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Cheapest Electricity Plan (Fixed Rates) – EnergyAustralia, Rate Fix Plan

Here is EnergyAustralia’s plan on our database for Victoria. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower electricity 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.

Read more: What’s cheaper: Electricity or Gas?

What about energy discounts in Victoria?

Discounts can help slash your energy bills, but they’re no longer the main point of difference when comparing energy plans. In light of the industry changes that took effect in July 2019, many providers have ditched their discounts in Victoria, instead focusing their efforts on providing lower base rates, thus removing the potential pitfall of missing out on the discount. However, discounts for paying on time and paying by direct debit are still common, although some providers instead add bill credits to their energy plans as another way to attract attention.

In most cases, discounts will be applied to both usage and supply charges, though some will expire after just the first year or two. So be aware that, if you go for a plan with a discount, you’ll have to remember to check back in with your electricity retailer once the benefit period is up.

• Expert Picks: Best Value Energy Plans in VIC

What sign-up incentives and plans are available for Victorians?

Victorians are inundated with different incentives to try and persuade them to sign up with a particular electricity provider. For example, AGL has a rewards program called ‘AGL Rewards’ whereby customers can benefit from discounts at a range of retailers. You can also get money off cinema and theme park tickets, amongst other things. Other providers offer a credit on your first bill when you sign up online, usually a fairly modest $50 or $100. Meanwhile, others try to attract customers based on their hobbies – be it going to the movies, or supporting a sports team.

While these discounts can be appealing, it’s important not to let them dictate your overall decision. Base your decision on an energy provider’s usage and supply charges, and what you expect to pay when the bill arrives every month or quarter. These incentives can, however, be a very useful point of difference when comparing similar offers.

Fixed vs variable rate plans

Most of the electricity plans listed above come with variable rates, meaning the prices you are charged can be changed at any time. That’s why it’s important to regularly review your electricity bills, to make sure nothing has changed. However, some retailers also offer fixed rate plans, whereby rates are locked in for a set term and don’t change. The bigger providers, like Origin and AGL, used to offer fixed rate plans, but now you’ll find only a limited number of small providers still offer a fixed rate plan. See our guide to fixed rate power plans to compare your options if you’re interested in more price certainty.

What is the cheapest electricity provider with the highest rating in Melbourne, Victoria?

Electricity rates in Victoria can change regularly, and as in most states, energy bills can vary by hundreds of dollars a year depending on the rates you pay. Based on the winner of the Canstar Blue electricity customer satisfaction ratings, we’ve given you a closer look at what rates you can expect to pay in Victoria.

Questions to ask an energy provider before signing up

Here are some questions you should consider asking any prospective energy company:

• Are you offering me the plan with the lowest usage rates?
• How much are the supply charges and how do they compare to other plans?
• How does the plan compare to the Victorian Default Offer (VDO)?
• Is there a contract? How long is it? Are there any exit fees if I leave?
• What discount can I get off my bill and how do I quality for the discount?
• What is the benefit term of the discount? Will it disappear after a year?
• Can you offer me any additional sign-up incentives?
• Which types of electricity tariffs are available in Victoria?

What are the cheapest gas plans in Melbourne, Victoria?

If you are also looking to compare the cheapest gas plans in Melbourne, Victoria, here are some of the cheapest gas deals on the Canstar Blue database. These estimated annual costs are based on the AGN – VIC network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 40,500 MJ/year, but prices will vary depending on your own circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Which electricity provider is rated highest in Victoria?

It makes sense that the bottom line will decide which provider many consumers go with. However, other factors, most notably customer service, can also prove important. Call centres are a major bugbear for customers because there’s nothing worse than hanging on the phone for ages, trying to get a straight answer to a straight question. The energy companies should be working hard to keep you happy, in terms of the price you pay, but also the customer service you receive. That’s the reason why Canstar Blue produces customer satisfaction ratings for electricity providers in Victoria every year. Tango Energy is currently rated highest overall.

If there is one message to take away from this report, it’s that regularly reviewing your electricity plan and comparing it to other offers on the market is a wise move, particular in Victoria where the energy companies are competing hard for your business.

Compare Gas Suppliers in Victoria

Original reporting by Jared Mullane
Image Source: Gordon Bell/Shutterstock