KEY POINTS
- Competitive electricity plans for seniors and pensioners generally have low usage rates, are cheaper than the reference price and have generous conditional discounts.
- Seniors and pensioners may be eligible for state-specific senior energy rebates.
- Currently, AGL is the only energy provider with a plan (AGL Seniors plan) specifically for seniors and pensioners in New South Wales,, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
On this page:
Specific electricity plans for seniors
Here’s what several energy retailers, including some of Australia’s biggest power companies, have to offer seniors and pensioners.
AGL Seniors plan
At the time of writing, AGL is the only electricity provider in Australia with specific electricity plans for seniors and pensioners.
Seniors and pensioners in NSW, VIC, South East QLD and SA can sign up for the AGL Seniors plan, which comes with:
- Competitively low rates
- Additional sign-up credit
- AGL Rewards program with discounts on lifestyle products
- No lock-in contract
- Exit fees
- Solar feed-in tariffs
- Paper or email bills
This plan offers a reasonable amount off the Reference Price and Victorian Default Offer in each state.
AGL also provides a seniors offer for natural gas customers in Western Australia, where customers receive a guaranteed discount off their gas usage charges.
Here is the AGL Seniors plan on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. 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 3,900kWh/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.
Here is the AGL Seniors plan on our database for VIC. This is a product from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower energy network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4,000kWh/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.
Here is the AGL Seniors plan on our database for QLD. These are products from a referral partner†. 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 4,600kWh/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.
Here is the AGL Seniors plan on our database for SA. These are products from a referral partner†. 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 4,000kWh/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.
EnergyAustralia seniors
All EnergyAustralia deals are compatible with state government senior concessions and rebates.
If you currently hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card, visit the EnergyAustralia website to have your rebate applied.
To do this, you will need to make a ‘My Account’ and update your details. Once you’re done, your electricity concession should take effect immediately.
What makes a ‘good’ energy plan for seniors and pensioners?
If you’re a pensioner shopping around for senior-friendly deals, we recommend looking out for the following:
Low usage rates
Electricity plans consist of two main charges: usage and supply. Energy providers typically compensate for low supply rates with higher usage rates, and vice versa.
If you’re a senior or pensioner, you’re likely not using as much electricity as the younger folks.
If that’s the case, it will likely be a wise move to look for an electricity deal with has lower supply charges. These are the daily charges you need to pay for each day that you’re connected to the energy network.
For small households, supply charges will typically make up a higher proportion of your overall energy costs. For large households, usage charges generally make up a higher proportion of overall costs.
Therefore it pays to get the cheapest rates on the charges that have the biggest impact on your hip pocket.
Cheaper than the reference price
It may also be a smart move to find a plan with a higher percentage off the Reference Price or Victorian Default Offer (VDO) as opposed to a plan with added value incentives.
Conditional discounts
If you do decide to go with a plan offering a conditional discount or extra features, it’s best you find an electricity plan that has a benefit period of at least two years, so you won’t lose the discount for 24 months.
Some retailers even offer ongoing discounts, but don’t fall into the set-and-forget trap of assuming that you’re always going to be getting a great deal.
Choosing the energy plan that’s right for you
Ultimately, the key to finding the right electricity plan for your needs is to clearly understand your energy usage habits.
There are a few ways you can track and monitor your energy habits:
- Check your recent energy bills: be sure to check your energy bills to find out how much power you’re using and how this compares to other households.
- Install an electricity usage monitor: Energy monitors allow users to track their electricity usage in real-time, giving you an accurate snapshot of your day-to-day energy consumption.
Read on for examples of cheap energy deals in each state we have compared, or jump straight into our comparison tool to find plans in your area.
Compare cheap energy plans
A cheap electricity plan for seniors and pensioners will likely have low usage charges, assuming that the household will generally not consume as much power as households with several occupants or kids, for example. With this in mind, we have trawled our energy database to show examples of the cheapest plans in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, but you should treat these as examples only. These are not energy plans for seniors per se, but some of the cheapest deals on our database for all consumers. Use our comparison tool above for a specific comparison in your area.
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†. 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.
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†. 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.
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†. 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.
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†. 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.
Energy concessions for seniors
Each state government offers a discount to Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card holders:
- In NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and the ACT, you must have an active Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) to be eligible for their respective energy concessions.
- In the Northern Territory and Tasmania, you must have an active Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Concession Card (DVA PCC) to be eligible for their respective energy concessions.
The title, value and eligibility requirements of these concessions will differ from state to state.
Be e sure to check your state government’s website via the links in the table below) to confirm what discounts may be available and if you’re eligible for them.
| State | Seniors Concession |
|---|---|
| NSW | Up to $250 a year |
| VIC | 17.5% of total annual bill (excluding first $171.60) |
| QLD | $372.20 a year |
| SA | $274.85 a year |
| TAS | $1.73296 per day |
| ACT | Up to $800 a year |
Source: State government websites, April 2025.
Additional rebates may also be available to electricity account holders with low incomes and health conditions. Visit Canstar Blue’s guide to energy rebates for further information.
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How to find the best deal on energy
Older customers are often the most loyal, but when it comes to energy supply, loyalty usually doesn’t pay.
Typically, market offers cheaper than the reference price (or Victorian Default Offer) in your state have a specified benefit period of 12 months.
If you’ve been with the same electricity retailer for several years, then your previous electricity plan is likely to have long expired.
In this scenario, by default, you’ll be moved onto their standing offer plan where you’ll most likely be paying much more than you were before. The best energy deals are typically reserved for new customers.
Always make sure that you’re getting the best electricity deal by following the checklist below:
- Get in touch with your existing retailer and ask for their ‘best offer’ – you can also find this by checking your most recent power bill.
- Don’t forget about your concessions. Be sure to check your power bills to make sure you’re receiving all the rebates and discounts you’re entitled to.
- More importantly, we strongly recommend you regularly compare offers, plans and providers.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: Perfect Wave/Shutterstock
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