Compare natural gas prices in NSW

In this Canstar Blue report, we show consumers in New South Wales what they can expect to pay for natural gas in the state. We also share what households should look out for when choosing the right gas deal for them.

New South Wales has more than 1.3 million natural gas customers, and if you’re one of them, you’ve probably noticed that gas isn’t as cheap as it was just a few years ago. Finding a good price on natural gas is no easy task, especially since it feels like most energy companies care more about their electricity customers.

So, to help you better understand your options and see how much you can save, Canstar Blue has put together a list detailing the cheapest NSW gas retailers and how much you can expect to pay. Please note, the price comparison below is based on a specific set of assumptions and one particular location, so treat this as a general guide only.

Cheap gas deals New South Wales

Which providers offer the cheapest gas prices in Sydney?

Our price calculations suggest that Powershop, Origin Energy and Kogan Energy are currently the cheapest natural gas retailers in our NSW database. But remember that this is a specific comparison and costs will vary depending on your personal circumstances, including gas usage and where you live.

The majority of NSW households are connected to the Jemena gas distribution network, spanning most of the central and east coast (including Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra) and parts of the inland, including the Tablelands, Riverina and the central west. To offer a guide, we’ve calculated prices based on relatively high gas requirements of 18,542MJ per year. Prices factor in gas usage rates, supply charges and any conditional discounts that are available on the retailer’s cheapest market offer. The following costs should be treated as a general guide only.

Understanding your gas bill

To get the cheapest gas deal possible, you need to understand how you’re charged for natural gas. The two key components to your gas bill are usage charges and supply charges. Depending on your provider and gas deal, there may also be additional discounts, fees and charges.

• Usage charges: The usage rate applies to gas that you actually use and is measured in megajoules (MJ). Some gas plans will charge you the same rate for all gas usage (referred to as a single/flat rate), while other gas plans will charge on a block rate tariff. Customers on a block rate are charged different rates depending on the quantity of gas consumed. When it comes to gas, it is usually the case that you’re charged a lower rate for each block of usage. For example, a customer may be charged 4c/MJ for the first 20 MJ used, 2.7c for the next 20 MJ of usage, and 2.5c/MJ for the rest.
• Supply charges: This is a daily, ongoing fee paid, usually around 60 to 70 cents per day. This is essentially a fee for just being connected to the gas network and applies regardless of how much gas (if any) you actually used. Supply charges can constitute a large portion of your overall bill, especially if you don’t actually use much gas. That’s why it’s important to check the energy price fact sheet to understand the composition of your bill.
• Discounts: Discounts can save you hundreds of dollars on your gas bill, however, you will usually have to meet certain conditions to receive them, such as paying your bills on time or with direct debit. Also be sure to check the energy price fact sheet to see whether the discount applies to both usage and supply charges, or just the usage charge component of your bill.
• Other fees and charges: On a close inspection of your gas bill, you may notice a number of small fees and charges added on top of usage and supply costs. These may be due to a credit card surcharge, late payment fee or a paper mailing fee. If you see an added fee on your bill that you’re not sure of, don’t be afraid to question your gas company about it.

Types of gas contracts in NSW

Just like with electricity, there are two types of natural gas contracts – standard contracts and market contracts.

• Standard contracts: These contracts are regulated by the NSW government, and designed to give customers a fair price for gas with no strings attached. While standard contracts afford customers additional protections, they don’t include discounts and are generally poor value.
• Market contracts: Market contracts are designed by the retailers. They often include discounts and can help customers reduce their overall costs, provided the conditions are met. The biggest drawback with market contracts is that your gas retailer has more freedom regarding when and how it can change your rates. The discounts also don’t usually last forever, so customers on a market deal should compare gas retailers at least every 12 months.

What’s cheaper: electricity or gas?

It is a widely-held view that natural gas is cheaper to use than electricity. A kWh of electricity in NSW costs about 24 cents, while that same amount of energy in gas only costs about 6 to 9 cents. However, the choice between electricity and gas becomes a little more complicated when you factor in the supply charges.

If you have a gas connection, you’re charged a daily fee of around 50 to 65 cents in addition to your electricity supply charges. So, while natural gas usage rates are often quite cheap, supply charges create a situation where gas will only be worthwhile if you have moderate to high gas usage. Gas will almost always be more affordable for high-usage appliances like hot water systems and heaters, but if your only gas appliance is a gas cooktop, then consider if you could save by switching to an electric cooktop.

Which gas retailer is rated highest in NSW?

The natural gas that cooks your dinner and heats your water is the same gas regardless of who your gas retailer is, so you should just pick the cheapest supplier, right? Sure price is important, but other factors also play a part in how satisfied you are with you energy provider. The cheapest deal is not always the best if you’re getting poor service. That’s why Canstar Blue produces an annual review of gas suppliers in NSW, to find out which are rated highly for customer service, as well as price. Check out our NSW gas ratings and find out which electricity provider has the happiest customers via the link below.

Compare NSW Electricity Providers