Want to switch energy providers, but worried about being stuck in a contract? Canstar Blue explains how electricity contracts really work, which retailers will lock you in, and which you’re free to leave at any time.
Australians are constantly being told to shop around and find a better deal on electricity – problem is, you’re already stuck in an electricity contract… Or are you? While an agreement with your electricity company is a “contract” in every sense of the word, many customers mistakenly presume this means they can’t leave. But in most cases, you can, and usually without any sneaky breakaway fees attached.
On this page:
What is a ‘lock-in’ energy contract?
Market contracts typically come with a benefit period of one or two years (the period of time that you receive any discount or fixed rates being offered), with some including exit fees that effectively mean you are locked in, unless you’re willing to pay to cancel the contract. After the discount or other benefit expires, you will remain on the contract but will no longer receive the benefit unless you renegotiate a new deal. This is how many consumers fall into the trap of paying too much.
Don’t fall into the trap of sticking with the same energy deal for several years. You will only be ‘locked in’ if the contract has fees for leaving early. These are generally referred to as ‘exit fees’, but you may previously have seen the terms ‘termination fees’ or ‘break fees’ used to describe them. You can see if your electricity deal has an exit fee by checking its electricity price fact sheet.
What is a benefit period?
Electricity market offers can include a ‘benefit period’, which may also (confusingly) be referred to as a ‘contract period’. A benefit period refers to the period of time that you receive a discount – it does not mean you are locked into a contract for this period of time. For example, a contract may have a benefit period of 12 months. This means any applicable discounts will only apply for the first year after signing up, while the contract remains ongoing. You can see examples of plans with conditional discounts with our energy comparison tool below.
No lock-in contract energy deals
Many major electricity retailers have jumped on board the ‘no lock-in contract’ bandwagon in recent years, allowing customers to leave when they wish without (for the most part) incurring pesky exit fees. We’ve outlined some no lock-in contract plans from our database which include links to referral partners below.
Cheap electricity deals NSW
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 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. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans 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 3900kWh/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.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans 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 3900kWh/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.
Here are the Origin Energy plans 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 3900kWh/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.
Cheap electricity deals VIC
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. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. 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.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. 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.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products 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 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.
Cheap electricity deals QLD
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 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. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SEQ. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy 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 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.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for SEQ. 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 4600kWh/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.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for SEQ. 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 4600kWh/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.
Cheap electricity deals SA
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 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. The next three tabs feature products exclusively from AGL, EnergyAustralia and Origin.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for South Australia. 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 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.
Here are the EnergyAustralia plans on our database for South Australia. 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 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.
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for South Australia. 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 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.
Am I locked in to my energy contract?
Contrary to popular belief, most electricity contracts don’t lock you in. While exit fees were common a few years ago, these days, only a few types of contracts include an exit fee for leaving a contract early. The following contracts typically come with exit fees to watch out for.
Fixed rate contracts
Customers on a fixed rate contract have their rates frozen – usually for a period of one or two years – potentially helping them to save by temporarily shielding them from rising power prices. This is different to a variable rate contract, which most Australians are on, where the retailer can change your rates at any time.
Contracts with special perks
If your electricity contract comes with ‘bonus’ perks, like movie tickets or a smart meter upgrade, then double check there aren’t any exit fees. In the case of a meter upgrade, the exit fee will usually just be the remaining installation cost.
How much does it cost to cancel a contract?
Electricity contract exit fees can range between $15 and $150, though it’s more common for exit fees to sit around the $20-$30 mark. Exit fees vary between different retailers, so be sure to factor this in when comparing energy deals.
Which electricity contracts don’t lock me in?
The vast majority of variable rate market offers do not include exit fees, meaning you’re free to switch providers and shop around for a better deal, whenever you like. If you’re not sure whether your electricity deal includes exit fees, read your energy price fact sheet to find out. If it doesn’t mention exit fees at all, that’s probably because there are none.
Where can I find an energy deal with no contract?
Most electricity providers with lock-in contracts will also have plans that do not include exit fees. There are, however, some power companies that deal exclusively in no lock-in contracts. The following energy retailers are some of those known for providing no lock-in electricity contracts.
- AGL
- Alinta Energy
- Amber Electric
- Ampol Energy
- Arcline by RACV
- CovaU
- Diamond Energy
- Dodo
- EnergyAustralia
- Energy Locals
- Engie (formerly Simply Energy)
- GloBird Energy
- Lumo Energy
- Momentum Energy
- Origin Energy
- Powershop
- Red Energy
- Tango Energy
- 1st Energy.
Is going with a lock-in contract a good idea?
The nature of the energy market means that some of the most competitive deals are only available on a lock-in contract, which includes an exit fees. This is especially true when it comes to fixed rate products, with consumers able to benefit from fixed pricing for the duration of the term. However, you should still be able to find plenty of cheap deals that do not come with exit fees – most of these come with variable rates, so you’ll have to decide what works best for you.
- Going with a lock-in contract plan could be a good idea for customers who would rather set and forget a competitive power plan for a couple of years
- Going with a no lock-in contract plan could work out well for customers who are happy regularly comparing energy offers and switching when better deals come up.
Finding a good energy deal that doesn’t lock you in
Canstar Blue rates and compares more than 30 electricity companies across QLD, NSW, SA, ACT, VIC and TAS. Use the Canstar Blue price comparison tool below to find the cheapest deal in your area, and see which products won’t lock you in with an exit fee.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: H_Ko/Shutterstock
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