KEY POINTS
- Currently, 1st Energy offers cheaper electricity plans than Aurora Energy.
- 1st Energy plans generally attract cheaper supply but higher usage charges.
- Factors such as ease of sign-up and customer service should also be considered alongside cost.
For decades, households in Tasmania have all had the same company name on their electricity bills – Aurora Energy. As a government-owned retailer in a regulated electricity market, Aurora Energy has been the sole supplier to residential properties, with no other option for Tasmanians to even consider, let alone switch to.
But that changed in early 2019 when 1st Energy entered the market, providing the first alternative and potentially paving the way for others to follow.
In this guide, Canstar Blue puts Aurora Energy and 1st Energy head to head to see which retailer offers the cheapest price and best value-add incentives.
On this page:
Which provider is cheaper: Aurora Energy or 1st Energy?
1st Energy comes out as the cheaper option for customers in Tasmania, according to our calculations in the table below. For a full price comparison of retailers in the island state, check out our Tasmanian electricity guide.
Here are the published electricity deals from Aurora Energy and 1st Energy on our database for Tasmania. This table contains products from a referral partner†. These cost estimates are based on a household with an annual electricity usage of 2,947kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff at a selected postcode in Tasmania, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Use our comparison tool for a more specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals available in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Aurora Energy vs 1st Energy – rates compared
Tariff 31 (Light & Power)
Tariff 31 will make up the majority of electricity costs for most Tasmanians. So, how do Aurora Energy and 1st Energy compare?
| Provider | Tariff | Supply charge | Usage charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Energy | Tariff 31 | 121.51c/day | 29.65c/kWh |
| 1st Energy | Tariff 31 | 121.44c/day | 29.59c/kWh |
Prices sourced from respective retailer websites, February 2025. Prices include GST.
Tariff 41 (Heating & Hot Water)
Tariff 41 is used for heating your home and hot water. Which provider has the cheapest rates?
| Provider | Tariff | Supply charge | Usage charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Energy | Tariff 41 | 22.656c/day | 19.252c/kWh |
| 1st Energy | Tariff 41 | 22.5c/day | 19.25c/kWh |
Prices sourced from respective retailer websites, February 2025. Prices include GST.
Tariff 62 (Heating & Hot Water)
Tariff 62 is a night-time only, controlled load tariff for high-consumption appliances such as a pool pump. Which retailer offers the most competitive rates?
| Provider | Tariff | Supply charge | Usage charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Energy | Tariff 62 | 26.77c/day | 14.60c/kWh |
| 1st Energy | Tariff 62 | 26.62c/day | 14.52c/kWh |
Prices sourced from respective retailer websites and Energy Made Easy, February 2025. Prices include GST.
Tariff 93 (Time of Use)
Tariff 93 is available to households with smart meters. With this tariff, Tasmanians are charged different rates for power, whether it’s used at peak or off-peak times. Peak times apply between 7am & 10am and 4pm & 9pm Monday-Friday. Off-peak rates apply at all other times. Tariff 93 is used in place of Tariff 31.
| Provider | Tariff | Supply charge | Usage charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Energy | Tariff 93 | 134.983c/day | Peak: 35.836c/kWh, Off-peak: 16.686c/kWh |
| 1st Energy | Tariff 93 | 134.97/day | Peak: 35.75c/kWh, Off-peak: 16.61c/kWh |
Prices sourced from respective retailer websites and Energy Made Easy, February 2025. Prices include GST.
Aurora Energy vs 1st Energy – discounts compared
As the Tasmanian energy market has now opened up to competition, discounts are likely going to become the point of difference when comparing providers. Any type of discount will naturally make a difference, so what do Aurora Energy and 1st Energy offer?
- Aurora Energy: Customers who pay by direct debit may be eligible to receive a direct debit discount of 5.5 cents per day (inc. GST). That works out to about $20 a year.
- 1st Energy: Customers will receive a 4% guaranteed discount off electricity usage charges on 1st Energy’s RACT Saver, in addition to a $150 conditional discount: $75 on the 6th month of billing, then another $75 after 12 months. 1st Energy also offers another plan, 1st Plus, that provides $50 in bill credit paid over 12 months.
Aurora Energy vs 1st Energy – fees and charges
Like any electricity provider, Aurora Energy and 1st Energy both have a range of fees that may apply in certain circumstances.
| Fee type | Aurora Energy | 1st Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Connection fee | $99.00 | $99.00 |
| Disconnection fee | $99.00 | $99.00 |
| Late payment fee | $5.00 | – |
| Cheque dishonour fee | – | $15.00 |
| Direct debit dishonour fee | – | $7.50 |
Prices sourced from respective retailer websites and Energy Made Easy, February 2025. Prices include GST.
Aurora Energy vs 1st Energy – Solar Feed-in Tariffs
Aurora Energy and 1st Energy both provide feed-in tariffs with their residential electricity plans.
- Aurora Energy has a solar feed-in tariff of 8.949 cents per kWh.
- 1st Energy also has a solar feed-in tariff of 8.94 cents per kWh. A rebate of up to 1.065c/kWh may be available on its 1st Solar Bonus plan, in addition to the standard 8.94c/kWh tariff. Contact 1st Energy for details.
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Should you switch to 1st Energy?
The arrival of 1st Energy in Tasmania will no doubt be welcomed by many households. Even though the two retailers have similar rates, those who have experienced what they deem to be poor customer service from Aurora in the past may see 1st Energy as a viable alternative.
When it comes to price, 1st Energy’s 4% discount looks set to make it slightly cheaper than Aurora, however, it generally attracts higher base rates, which is something to be mindful of if you consume a lot of energy.
If you decide to switch to 1st Energy, you effectively have nothing to lose given that the retailer does not charge exit fees. If you find the service isn’t as good as you had hoped, you can always switch back to Aurora.
While the merits of competitive energy markets are up for debate, you would like to think the learnings from the mainland would see Tasmania develop a contestable market that allows engaged consumers to shop around and save on their bills while ensuring that those who don’t are not forced to pay more as a result.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: AngryBirdProductions/Shutterstock
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