The ACT, also known as the Australian Capital Territory, is a region that is situated in New South Wales. Canberra, the capital of Australia, is situated there. Canberra was a planned city, and you can see that by its significant government buildings and tourist destinations. There are parks and other areas where you can take in the beauty of nature outside of Canberra. As of June 2023, the population was approximately 466,566.
The energy market is deregulated since you can select the energy provider of your choice including electricity providers and gas providers in the ACT. However, the government sets a price cap on standing electricity offers called “Default Market offers” (DMO).
If your offer is a standing (DMO), you will observe that:
Because market offers occasionally include discounts and a fixed price or price guarantee period, they are typically more competitive and reasonably priced than standing offers for regulated zones. Your energy provider normally puts up market offers; however, they could change anytime, even after you’ve signed up.
Simply put, you can request a standing offer and have the flexibility to select any energy provider in ACT. This means you can compare plans and choose one that works for you.
Electricity providers in Canberra and the ACT must disclose the price difference between their plans and the DMO as of October 2021. Electricity retailers can determine their supply and usage fees as long as the average annual usage does not surpass the DMO amount.
The DMO is a benchmark price and defends you against suppliers who impose unjustified fees. This benchmark price for electricity considers the usage and supply fees associated with each offer and the average annual electricity usage at your location.
The ACT deregulated the energy industry, allowing retailers to determine their own gas and electricity rates.
There is one disclaimer, though. The pricing structure of ActewAGL’s standing offer electricity plans is regulated by the government.
These are also referred to as Default Market Offers (DMO), and the rates are determined annually on July 1. They serve as a safeguard for those who don’t compare prices.
Ideally, you should register for a market offer and benefit from the deregulated energy market in the ACT. They frequently include discounts and are typically less expensive than the default offer, also referred to as the reference price.
For single-rate electricity plans in the ACT, the reference price for 2024–2025 is $2,316 per year, assuming 6,315 kWh of energy consumption.
For single-rate tariff plans with controlled load, the reference price for the same energy consumption in kWh is $2,651.
Consumers in Canberra and the surrounding ACT region will pay a usage fee, expressed in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), for each kWh of electricity used and a fixed daily supply charge for the electricity delivered to their property. The usage charges will increase with the amount of electricity a customer uses.
In addition, there is a usage fee for every megajoule of gas used (measured in cents per megajoule, or c/MJ) and a fixed daily supply charge for gas.
Tariffs are the pricing structures that affect how much energy providers charge you.
The usage charge and the daily supply charge are included in a tariff.
The daily supply charge, sometimes called the service or fixed charge, is a fixed fee that your electricity provider applies to the supply of gas or electricity to your residence or place of business; it is not affected by the quantity of energy you use.
Your bill indicates the cost of your gas or electricity use in cents per megajoule (c/MJ) for gas and cents per kWh for electricity. This charge is also referred to as the usage charge, consumption charge, or variable charge.
Customers can select from various energy plans and tariffs because the energy market is deregulated in the ACT. A new plan might include a tariff that lowers your bill, depending on where you live and how much you use.
The ACT may allow for the use of the following kinds of electricity tariffs:
With single-rate tariffs, your energy use is charged at a constant rate every day of the week or throughout the day.
Depending on when you use energy, time-of-use tariffs charge you different rates for each day of the week or throughout the day. These periods are commonly referred to as shoulder, off-peak, and peak. You must have a smart or time-of-use meter to benefit from a time-of-use tariff plan.
Large home appliances (such as electric water heaters or underfloor heating) typically used at night or during off-peak hours are subject to controlled load tariffs, which charge a reduced off-peak rate.
You must have a smart meter and be on a time-of-use tariff plan to benefit from peak, off-peak, and shoulder times and rates. The actual times of these periods may differ depending on your electricity provider, but the ACT Government states that peak, off-peak, and shoulder times in the ACT are typically:
Peak hours are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. If you have a smart meter and a time-of-use tariff, using appliances during these busier times will cost you extra because there is a higher demand for electricity in the area.
Shoulder hours are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because ACT uses less electricity during shoulder times than peak times, energy costs are slightly lower.
The off-peak hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Of the three periods, this one is the cheapest and uses the least electricity.
Depending on specific tariffs, such as time of use, your bill may include multiple usage charges for peak, off-peak, and shoulder times.
There are two types of gas tariffs that you may encounter, though most providers typically use block rates:
Flat rate: This one is self-explanatory; regardless of when or how much you use, you pay the same gas price.
Block rate: With this plan, the amount of gas you use determines how much you pay. For instance, you may be charged one rate for the first forty-five minutes, another rate for the following block, and so on.
Evoenergy is the primary electricity distributor in the ACT. Essential Energy also serves some ACT customers; other distributors may provide specific remote electricity distribution systems. Evoenergy is also the primary gas distributor in the ACT. Other distributors provide some remote gas distribution systems.
Moveinconnect can assist you in comparing and connecting to energy plans from providers on our panel, tailored to your needs and location. Whether you’re moving homes or simply looking for better options, Moveinconnect offers a seamless way to manage your essential utilities like electricity and gas, helping you save time and money.
At Moveinconnect, we make setting up your internet and utility connections hassle-free when you move. We partner with leading providers like Optus to offer a wide range of internet options, including NBN, 4G, and 5G, ensuring you have access to the best and fastest connections. We also provide Foxtel services to bring entertainment into your new home. Whether you’re moving into a house or an apartment, Moveinconnect helps you compare internet plans to find the one that best fits your needs. With us, you can manage your internet and utility connections all in one go, making your move smooth and easy.
If you’re living in an apartment, it’s smart to compare internet plans to make sure you’re not overpaying. Many apartments have embedded networks or are tied to specific providers, which can limit your options and might not offer the best deals or speeds.
Using Moveinconnect to compare internet plans allows you to explore options like NBN, 4G, and 5G that might offer better value, higher speeds, or more data for your money. Even if your building has a preferred provider, it’s worth comparing to find a plan that better suits your lifestyle and budget. By taking the time to compare, you can save money and get the most out of your internet connection.
Gas costs between 3.26 and 4.41 cents per megajoule (MJ). Gas plans typically have tiered rates, meaning the cost can change based on how much energy you use over the quarter or month.
Once more, the cost of energy supply charges varies based on your energy distributor and can be approximately 77 cents.
Some residents will be able to get an $800 energy rebate from the territory government in the 2024-2025 financial year. The rebate is calculated as a daily rate and applied straight to their bill.
In addition, the federal government has made $300 energy bill relief available to all Australian households as of 1 July 2024.
It’s being paid in $75 instalments each quarter.
It’s best to visit the ACT government’s website directly to get the most up-to-date information on rebates and whether any others are available for medical support.
You can also call your energy retailer to get help.
If you are the primary holder of any of the following cards, you may be qualified for the Utilities Concession:
Since 2020, the ACT has obtained all of its electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.
Gas continues to be a source of greenhouse gas emissions, though. The ACT wants to move away from it by 2045.
Your electricity provider cannot deliver renewable energy directly to your home from the grid. Here’s where GreenPower comes into play.
This government program lets suppliers purchase renewable energy from 10% to 100% of your usage. You can include it in your plan for an additional fee.
For additional resources about energy providers in ACT consult:
No, the ACT doesn’t have a set minimum for solar feed-in rates. Every provider sets their own rate. Comparing different offers is a good idea to find the best deal for your solar energy.
If you have a legacy high feed-in rate, upgrading your system means losing that rate. The alternative is to install a new system on your roof, which can then receive the current rates. If you’re already on the current FIT, upgrading is free.
In the ACT, electricity plans include flat rates, block rates, time-of-use rates, controlled load rates, and demand charge rates. Each one works in a different way, so it’s best to pick a plan that suits your power use and way of life.
Yes, solar feed-in rates might change. Market shifts and power prices can cause retailers to raise or lower their rates.
Use comparison tools like Moveinconnect to check out different electricity plans. This way, you’ll likely find a good deal for your solar feed-in rate and overall electricity use.
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To compare energy in VIC, NSW, QLD, SA, the ACT and TAS, call Move InConnect on 1300 786 045 or enter your details online.
