Mon-Fri 9AM to 8PM (AEST)Find the cheapest electricity in the ACT for your move
Moving to a new state can sometimes feel like moving to a new planet! If you are moving to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), read this guide first so you can be prepared with the best energy deal for your new home.
On this page
- Electricity costs in the ACT
- The best electricity retailers in the ACT
- How do I plan for my move?
Electricity costs in the ACT
The ACT is the first state in Australia to be powered by 100% renewable energy, meaning it should enjoy stable electricity prices with protection from the volatile coal market. However, this isn’t a foolproof plan. The ACT is connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM), so fluctuations in costs in other states still have a knock-on effect on ACT residents and businesses.
A typical bill for an ACT household looks like this:
Source: ICRC’s final decision on 2022–23 prices.
The table below discusses each of these costs in more detail.
| Cost | Description |
| Network costs | These are the costs your retailer pays on your behalf to the electricity distributor, who operates and maintains the grid that transports energy from the generator to your home.
They make up the largest portion of your bill – about 32%. You might see it labelled on your bill as a supply charge, daily fee or network charge. It is the distributor’s job to maintain the pipes, poles and cables that connect all the states and territories to power. In addition, they install and upgrade electricity meters, connect and disconnect power when you move home electricity, and fix faults or emergencies in the network. The cost of carrying out these activities is reflected in your network charge. Each distributor covers a certain area, so you cannot choose which distributor you use. In the Canberra region, all electricity and gas connections are managed by Evoenergy. |
| Wholesale costs | This is the cost that your retailer pays to buy wholesale electricity from the generator and makes up the second biggest portion of your bill, at about 30%.
Some larger retailers are part of a parent company that includes an energy generator, so they can access cheaper wholesale rates to pass on to customers. Smaller retailers are susceptible to the volatile nature of energy prices because they buy power on the ‘spot market’. This means they pay the current price of electricity, which can change daily. This can put a huge strain on their bottom line when wholesale electricity spikes, and in some cases, they are left with no choice but to pass on the cost to customers. In 2022, this has happened due to the increased cost of coal and distribution caused by the war in Ukraine, flooding, fires and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Some small retailers have taken the unprecedented action of encouraging their customers to switch to their incumbent retailer to protect themselves from record prices. |
| Retail costs | These costs cover the expenses incurred by the retailer to provide a service to their customers, such as operating expenses, account maintenance, staff wages, building running costs and marketing, among many other things. |
| Rebates and concessions | Although not technically an item on your bill, concessions and rebates will affect how much you pay.
Eligible ACT residents can receive government support to help ease their cost of living expenses. Some of the assistance available includes the ActewAGL Staying Connected program for electricity and water, the Home Energy Support Rebate for Homeowners and the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme. Visit the ACT Government’s assistance website for more information and to find out if you are eligible for any rebates or concessions. |
| Renewable energy fees | The ACT is committed to both the federal government’s renewable energy target (RET) and the state government’s renewable energy schemes.
You will see a surcharge for both of these on your electricity bill to cover the costs of meeting these targets. |
The best electricity retailers in the ACT
Now that you understand the costs on your bill, it should be easier to compare plans to move your electricity connection with confidence.
It’s important to remember that the cheapest electricity plan for you will be the one that best suits your home’s unique energy usage needs.
Take a look at the table below for some ideas, or contact an expert at Move-In Connect on 1300 786 465 to help you compare electricity plans and find the perfect option before you move.
| Best for | Plan | Cost per month* | Favourite features |
| Low rates all day | ActewAGL
Simple Saver Plan |
$182 | 14% less than electricity reference price
12% off gas usage charges Variable rates Flexible payment options No exit fee |
| Electric vehicles | ActewAGL
EVolve Plan |
$186 | Free EV charging equal to 4000km per year
8c/kWh solar feed-in rate Time-of-use billing rates Free meter upgrade if required |
| Discounts on your bill | EnergyAustralia
Flexi Plan |
$153 | 11% off total electricity bill
18% off total gas bill $25 online sign-up credit |
| Solar panels | EnergyAustralia
Solar Max and Flexi Plan |
$162 | 10c/kWh solar feed-in tariff (FiT)
100% carbon neutral at no extra cost for your home energy when you opt-in. |
| Supporting charity while you save | Red Energy
Red BCNA Saver |
$151 | 11% less than electricity reference price
Up to $120 annual contribution to Breast Cancer Network Australia ($60 for electricity and $60 for gas) |
| Rewards and incentives | Red Energy
Qantas Red |
$151 | Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points when you choose electricity
Earn 5,000 bonus Qantas Points when you choose gas Earn 2 points per $1 on your electricity and gas bills when you pay on time |
| Renewable energy | Red EV Saver | $151 | Renewable matching promise – for every unit of electricity you buy from Red Energy, Snowy Hydro Limited will match it by generating one unit of electricity from a renewable source
$500 Power on Promise – receive a $500 one-off credit if you are not connected on time Free electricity between 12 pm and 2 pm on weekends for electric vehicle charging |
*Based on retailers’ ‘low’ usage (1-2 people) on the Evoenergy network. Prices are correct in September 2022.
New electricity connection in the ACT
Once you have chosen your favourite energy plan, your retailer will arrange your new property’s electricity and gas connections with the distributor.
In the ACT, there is only one distributor, Evoenergy. A summary of their fees is below.
| Distributor | Type | Contact | Connection/ Disconnection* | Special Meter Read* |
| Evoenergy | Electricity | 131 093 (Faults and emergencies)
132 386 (General) |
$40.73 | $94.15 |
| Gas | 131 909 (Faults and emergencies)
132 386 (General) |
$11.59 | n/a |
*Prices correct at September 2022
How do I plan for my move?
Call Move-In Connect today to start planning your move to the ACT. Our moving utilities services experts will find you the cheapest electricity plan and arrange for you to be connected in time for the day you move.
We can also compare natural gas, Pay TV and connect broadband for you in one easy phone call, to make your next move the easiest one yet!
Either enter your details online or give us a call on 1300 786 045 to get started.
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