Which state has the cheapest electricity rates?

Victoria, going by usage rates: the typical plan there charges 23.60c per kWh, against 38.10c in South Australia, the dearest state. Supply charges differ too, and both change between network areas, so it's worth checking the plans for your own postcode.

How much do retailers pay for solar exports?

It depends a lot on the state. The typical plan that pays for exports gives 10.87c per kWh in Tasmania, the most generous, and 1.00c in South Australia. Some plans pay a higher rate for the first few kWh you export each day, and a few now charge for exports at certain times.

Electricity plans

Every electricity plan retailers publish under the Consumer Data Right, grouped by the state it is sold in: 18,048 plans from 40 retailers in 6 states, refreshed nightly. Prices are per kWh and per day of supply, as published.

What the typical electricity plan charges in each state

Last change by a retailer on 7 Nov 2026

NT-Not covered

QLD25.4c810 open plans

WA-Not covered

SA38.1c378 open plans NSW30.1c2,523 open plans ACT27.4c255 open plans VIC23.6c2,692 open plans TAS25.4c24 open plans

LowerHigher

Lowest typical usage rate, per kWh: 23.6cVictoria
Highest typical usage rate, per kWh: 38.1cSouth Australia

The middle usage rate among each state's residential plans open to anyone, as published. States without a figure have no electricity plans in the published data.

Electricity rates in each state

Across 6,682 residential market offers open to anyone, the median usage rate runs from 23.60c per kWh in Victoria to 38.10c in South Australia. The lowest usage rate anywhere is 17.19c per kWh, in Victoria, and the lowest daily supply charge is $0.45, in Victoria. Rates exclude GST unless the retailer says otherwise, and a low usage rate can come with a high supply charge, so compare both.

State	Plans	Lowest usageper kWh	Typical usageper kWh	Lowest supplya day
New South Wales31 retailers	7,5342,523 open to anyone	23.80c	30.12c	$0.75
Victoria28 retailers	6,0782,692 open to anyone	17.19c	23.60c	$0.45
Queensland30 retailers	2,415810 open to anyone	20.00c	25.43c	$1.08
South Australia30 retailers	1,108378 open to anyone	30.80c	38.10c	$0.87
Australian Capital Territory11 retailers	766255 open to anyone	20.14c	27.36c	$0.97
Tasmania4 retailers	14724 open to anyone	21.82c	25.40c	$1.10

Each strip shows every open plan's usage rate, its peak rate on a time-of-use plan, on a scale all the states share. Bars are scaled to each state's busiest price, so a small state's spread reads as clearly as a big one's.

How plans are priced

How often each state's plans charge by time of day, pay for solar or take money off for paying on time. Only plans open to new customers at home are counted.

State	Open plans	Time-of-use	Pay for solar	Typical feed-inof those that pay	Pay-on-time discount
New South Wales	2,523	67%	93%	3.00c	2%
Victoria	2,692	56%	95%	1.00c	4%
Queensland	810	64%	88%	2.00c	2%
South Australia	378	55%	90%	1.00c	4%
Australian Capital Territory	255	40%	93%	3.00c	0%
Tasmania	24	25%	100%	10.87c	0%

Retailers selling electricity

40 retailers publish electricity plans, most plans first. The count takes in every plan they publish, including standing offers and business plans.

How to read an electricity plan

Supply charge: A fixed amount for each day you're connected, whatever you use. It pays for the poles, wires and meter, so it differs between network areas in the same state.
Usage charge: Cents for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) you use. A single-rate plan charges the same all day; a time-of-use plan charges more at peak times, usually late afternoon and evening, and less overnight or in the middle of the day.
Demand charge: A few plans add a charge on your highest half-hour of use in the month, in kilowatts. It rewards spreading out heavy appliances.
Controlled load: A separately metered circuit, usually for hot water, switched on at off-peak times for a lower rate than general use.
Solar feed-in: What the retailer pays for the electricity your panels send to the grid. A few plans now charge for exports at the times of day when the grid has more solar than it needs.
Discounts and fees: Some discounts only apply if you pay on time or by direct debit, and some plans charge a fee to leave early. Prices published under the Consumer Data Right usually exclude GST, which adds 10% to the bill.

Calculators that pair with these products

Published by each retailer under the Consumer Data Right, via the AER's Energy Made Easy, last changed by them on 7 Nov 2026. Figures are shown as the institution publishes them and can change without notice; confirm on their site before applying. The Finance Algorithm earns nothing from any product listed here.

Electricity prices, answered

Which state has the cheapest electricity rates?: Victoria, going by usage rates: the typical plan there charges 23.60c per kWh, against 38.10c in South Australia, the dearest state. Supply charges differ too, and both change between network areas, so it's worth checking the plans for your own postcode.
How much do retailers pay for solar exports?: It depends a lot on the state. The typical plan that pays for exports gives 10.87c per kWh in Tasmania, the most generous, and 1.00c in South Australia. Some plans pay a higher rate for the first few kWh you export each day, and a few now charge for exports at certain times.