Compare electricity & gas with Australia's best energy

Electricity and gas comparison in Australia only works when you compare the right things for your address, tariff type and household usage. Brand familiarity on its own is not enough. The cheapest-looking plan on a banner or promo card can become a poor fit once daily supply charges, solar settings, controlled load rates, gas usage patterns or post-promo pricing are taken into account.

That is why the best energy comparison process is usually not about picking a single national winner. It is about using the right official tools, checking state-specific plan availability and comparing the same household profile across multiple retailers.

Quick answer: how should you compare electricity and gas?

Start with your current bill, your postcode and an independent comparison source. Compare electricity and gas using the same address, tariff settings and usage assumptions, then review supply charges, usage rates, contract terms and any solar or bundle conditions before switching.

Why there is no single best energy plan for everyone

Energy plans differ by state, distributor, meter type and household behaviour. A plan that looks strong in Victoria may not be available in New South Wales, and a retailer that looks competitive for electricity may not be the best gas option at the same address.

The Australian Energy Regulator says comparison tools help households compare the price of different energy plans and make informed choices. It also explains that Energy Made Easy is the Australian Government's free and independent comparison website for participating states and territories.

The main tools Australians should use first

For most households outside Victoria, Energy Made Easy is the first serious comparison tool to use. The AER says it is a free and independent service for households and small businesses in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.

For Victoria, the right official comparison tool is Victorian Energy Compare. The Victorian Government describes it as its independent comparison site for energy costs and confirms that users can compare both gas and electricity offers there.

Those two tools matter because they give you a cleaner baseline than relying only on retailer marketing pages.

What to compare on electricity plans

When comparing electricity, focus on the items that actually shape the bill.

• daily supply charge;
• usage rates in cents per kWh;
• tariff type, such as single rate or time of use;
• controlled load charges if they apply;
• solar feed-in tariff terms if your home exports power;
• fees, payment terms and minimum-cost implications;
• whether the plan is standing offer or market offer based;
• whether the comparison is against the relevant reference price where applicable.

The AER's energy product reference data also makes clear that controlled load is relevant for electricity but not gas, which is one reason electricity and gas need to be assessed separately before you decide whether a dual-fuel offer is really worthwhile.

What to compare on gas plans

Gas comparison is simpler in some ways, but it still needs care.

Check:

• daily supply charge;
• usage rate structure in MJ terms;
• billing and payment conditions;
• fees and any account conditions;
• whether gas is actually available at your property;
• whether a bundled electricity-plus-gas offer is genuinely cheaper overall.

Do not assume the same retailer must win both categories. Some households get a better result by choosing electricity and gas separately.

Should you compare bundled electricity and gas offers?

Bundled or dual-fuel offers can be useful, but only if the total annual cost stacks up. Energy Made Easy explains that it can show plans where electricity and gas are bundled together by the same energy company as a single offer.

That does not mean bundled plans are automatically better. Compare the combined cost against separate retailer options. A convenience benefit is real, but it should not hide weaker tariffs.

How to compare energy plans properly

Use a repeatable process.

1. Get a recent electricity bill and gas bill.
2. Note your postcode, tariff details and usage profile.
3. Use Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare depending on your state.
4. Compare electricity and gas at the same address.
5. Match the tariff type as closely as possible.
6. Compare supply charges and usage rates before looking at promos.
7. Check solar, controlled load or bundle settings if they apply.
8. Review fees, contract terms and post-promo pricing.
9. Estimate likely annual cost, not just month-one price.

If you want a simpler next step after the official comparison tools, use the CompareUs electricity comparison hub, the gas comparison hub, the electricity cost calculator and the gas cost calculator.

Common mistakes when comparing electricity and gas

The most common mistake is comparing plans with different tariff assumptions and treating them as directly comparable. Another is focusing on a sign-up credit or discount headline without checking the ongoing supply and usage charges. A third is assuming the same retailer should supply both fuels without testing the numbers.

Solar households can also make poor comparisons if they focus only on the feed-in tariff and ignore import rates, while households with electric hot water can misread value if they ignore controlled load charges.

State differences matter more than many people expect

Energy comparison in Australia is not one national market in practice. Availability, regulator context and comparison tools differ by state. Victoria has its own official comparison service. Other participating eastern-market jurisdictions rely on Energy Made Easy. Gas availability also varies significantly by location.

That is one of the main reasons a serious electricity comparison should always start with your exact address.

How CompareUs can help after the official comparison

Once you have a shortlist, CompareUs helps turn comparison into action. Use the electricity page to compare retailer pages, the gas page to review gas options, and the bill calculators to estimate likely household costs under different rate structures.

Sources and methodology

This guide was prepared using current AER consumer guidance, Energy Made Easy documentation, Victorian Energy Compare information and AER energy product reference data. It is designed as a practical comparison guide for Australian households, not as a claim that one national electricity or gas provider is best for every home. Final decisions should always rely on the latest live plan data for your address.