Tasmania, known for its apple industry, is an Australian island with beautiful landscapes and peaceful towns. It’s a great place to relax and take a vacation from city life.
Major Cities
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania is known for its markets, historic structures, waterfront, and history.
Launceston is a hilly city with historical sites, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.
Devonport is a seaside city with parks, beaches, and opportunities to see wildlife. It serves as the entrance to neighbouring islands.
The population of Tasmania is estimated to be 573,479 as of June 2023.
Tasmania’s energy market operates under a partially deregulated structure, with distinct rules for electricity and gas. The state has a unique energy profile due to its reliance on renewable energy sources, primarily hydroelectric power, which significantly influence its market dynamics.
Tasmania’s electricity market is partially deregulated. While some aspects of the market, like generation and wholesale, are open to competition, the retail market remains regulated for residential and small business customers.
The Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator (OTTER) regulates Tasmania’s energy market. As an independent statutory authority, OTTER oversees the economic regulation of electricity, gas, and other essential services in Tasmania, making sure that these markets operate efficiently, transparently, and in the best interests of consumers.
OTTER regulates retail electricity prices for Tasmania residential and small business customers. This involves setting the maximum prices the state-owned retailer, Aurora Energy, can charge these customers. The regulation aims to provide price stability and protect consumers from excessive charges in a market where they do not have the option to choose their electricity retailer.
OTTER monitors the performance of the electricity and gas markets, including the reliability and quality of service provided by retailers and distributors. It regularly publishes market performance reports, including price comparisons, customer service levels, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
OTTER plays a critical role in consumer protection by ensuring that energy retailers adhere to fair pricing, billing practices, and service standards. This includes overseeing the implementation of customer service codes and ensuring that customers have access to clear, accurate information about their energy services.
OTTER administers various concessions and assistance programs to help vulnerable customers manage energy costs. These programs include discounts on electricity bills for eligible households, such as pensioners and low-income families.
OTTER assesses and reports on the performance of the electricity supply industry in Tasmania, including the generation, distribution, and retail sectors. This involves monitoring key performance indicators like supply reliability, service quality, and the financial performance of industry participants.
OTTER is responsible for licensing electricity and gas retailers and other entities involved in the supply of these services. It ensures compliance with industry regulations and standards and takes enforcement action where necessary to address non-compliance.
Given Tasmania’s significant focus on renewable energy, OTTER also oversees the integration of renewable energy sources into the market. This includes ensuring the state’s energy system remains reliable and affordable while transitioning towards more sustainable energy production.
You might have a few options for plan options or for retailers to compare if you live in Tasmania.
2014 saw the introduction of full retail competition to Tasmania’s electricity sector, allowing private companies to enter the market and offer energy plans. In the past, Tasmanians were unable to select between different power providers. Several Tasmanian electricity providers exist despite the market’s relatively small state.
In Tasmania, Aurora Energy is the biggest retailer of electricity to homes. Before 1st Energy entered into the market in 2019, Aurora operated independently following the introduction of full market competition in 2014.
The pricing of Aurora’s standing offer plans, which we use as a standard for evaluating market offers in Tasmania, is governed by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator. They are determined annually on July 1st.
Standing offer rates are generally more expensive, but they offer a safety net for people who don’t compare prices.
Even though the Tasmanian government has opened the door for more competition in the electricity industry, some citizens cannot take advantage of this development.
For instance, Momentum Energy, solely owned by Hydro Tasmania, has a monopoly on King and Flinders Islands, meaning that residents of the Bass Strait Islands cannot select their electricity retailers.
In Tasmania, the gas industry is still heavily regulated, and Tas Gas Networks, a government-owned retailer, provides natural gas to consumers.
Only Aurora Energy and Solstice Energy (formerly TasGas) offer gas plans in Tassie, so your options are limited.
Additionally, With Moveinconnect, you can quickly identify the best available options, connect your services, and ensure a smooth transition when moving homes or switching providers. Please note, Moveinconnect features plans from their partnered providers and may not include all providers in the market.
Plus, you can only connect your property if natural gas is available at your address. Both providers have an address checker on their websites to help you out. Their rates are:
| Retailer | Daily supply charge | Usage charge |
| Solstice Energy (formerly TasGas) | 64.50 cents | 4.854 cents per megajoule (MJ) |
| Aurora Energy | 64.47 cents | 5.3766 cents per megajoule (MJ) |
Since July 2014, TasNetworks, a company owned by the Tasmanian government, has been in charge of transmitting and distributing electricity throughout Tasmania. Similarly, Tas Gas Networks is in charge of gas distribution in Tasmania.
There will be two distinct charges on your electricity bill when you receive it:
Daily supply charge: the price of bringing power into your house
Usage charge: the price associated with using power at home.
Your usage fee will change based on the type of tariff you have. Residents of Tasmania may be able to select from a variety of electricity tariffs that have an impact on their energy bills. These tariffs set the price you pay for using energy in your house. Whether you have solar power a smart meter, and when you use the most electricity, it may all influence which of the various tariffs is the best option for you.
Flat rates for residential customers:
Tariff 31: The light and power tariff.
Tariff 41: The heating and hot water tariff.
Usually, homes connect to both 31 and 41, and this is known as the flat rate.
Peak and Off-peak Rates for Residential Customers:
Tariff 93: This tariff charges different rates depending on your household’s peak (7-10 am and 4-9 pm on weekdays) or off-peak (10 am-4 pm, 9 pm-7 am and weekends) times.
Other residential tariffs available in Tasmania
Tariff 61: This tariff is now obsolete, so new customers cannot choose it, but it is still available for current customers. It sets off-peak rates during the late afternoon and night, mainly for heating, swimming pools, and hot water.
Tariff 62: This tariff is the same as 61 but is overnight only. It can be used with the flat rate (tariff 31/41) or Tariff 93.
Solar Feed-in Tariff: Customers who have a solar energy system and a smart meter may be able to receive the solar feed-in tariff. For the 2023-2024 period, Tasmania’s minimum solar feed-in tariff rate is 10.869 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).
When relocating, Moveinconnect simplifies the process of connecting your utilities and internet. We partner with trusted providers like Optus to offer a range of internet services, including NBN, 4G, and 5G, to make sure you get the most reliable and fastest connection for your new place. We also provide Foxtel services for your entertainment needs. Whether you’re settling into a new apartment or house, Moveinconnect makes it easy to compare and connect to the best internet plans available, so you can get online quickly without any fuss.
Living in an apartment? It’s a good idea to compare internet plans to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Many apartment buildings have specific providers or embedded networks that might not offer the best rates or speeds for your needs.
By using Moveinconnect, you can compare plans for NBN, 4G, and 5G, potentially finding a plan with faster speeds or better pricing than what’s currently available through your building. Even if your building has a set provider, comparing options allows you to make an informed choice that fits your usage and budget, helping you save money while improving your internet experience.
The Tasmanian Government offers several subsidies to assist low-income and needy households cover their high electricity costs.
Annual Concession on Electricity: The annual electricity concession, which offers qualified cardholders a daily discount of $1.72343.3, is the most popular rebate.
If any of the following applies to you, you might be qualified for this concession:
Relief Fund for Energy Bills: To assist with the cost of energy bills, a temporary $250 concession will be applied to your bill half-yearly starting in September 2023 and ending in July 2025.
You will automatically receive this if you currently receive the annual electricity concession.
If not, you might still qualify for this discount; however, you must speak with your electricity provider to register. Customers who are the holders of electricity accounts and who possess or receive any of the following are eligible to apply for the energy bill relief fund:
Heating Allowance: Pensioners receive this payment twice yearly to assist with heating expenses.
Those eligible for this rebate have already received payment for one of the following and possess a Services Australia Concession Card or a DVA Pensioner Concession Card.
Pension-Based Care Payment: Pension for Parenting Payment and Service (DSP) pension.
More concessions, such as the medical cooling and heating concession and the life support concession, might be available.
Renewable energy is the main focus of Tasmania’s energy sector. Among these power sources are:
Tasmanians can install solar panels to assist in producing electricity for their own homes.
Tasmania is completely self-sufficient in producing renewable energy. As far as Australia goes, it’s the first jurisdiction to reach net zero emissions.
Hydroelectricity is the state’s primary source of electricity generation, accounting for approximately 80% of total power generated. This is followed by gas-fired generation and wind power.
Additionally, solar panels are installed on over 44,700 homes and businesses in Tasmania.
For additional resources
https://www.energy.gov.au/state/tas
https://www.concessions.tas.gov.au/concessions/electricity_and_heating
From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the minimum rate for feeding electricity into the grid in Tasmania will be 8.935 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from last year’s rate of 10.869 cents per kilowatt-hour. This change is mainly due to the decrease in the wholesale electricity price.
The Tasmanian Economic Regulator sets the feed-in tariff rate every year using a specific method outlined in the relevant feed-in tariff determination. This rate is the minimum amount that retailers must pay to owners of qualifying small-scale distributed generation systems, such as solar, wind, or mini-hydro.
No, the premium transitional feed-in tariff rates ended on 1 January 2020. Previously, customers with a qualifying system installed before 31 August 2013 received this rate, but now all customers are under the regulated feed-in tariff rate.
Many homeowners and small business owners may benefit from the time-of-use tariff (Tariffs 93 for residential and 94 for small business) instead of fixed-rate tariffs. It allows customers to take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours, especially if they use electricity when their solar system is generating power.
To get the most benefits from solar power, it’s best to use the electricity your solar panels generate during the day. This reduces the need for grid electricity, which is more cost-effective because of the lower feed-in tariff rate.
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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.
