How to Switch Electricity Retailers in Australia 2026

Most Australian households have never switched electricity retailers — or they switched once when they first got solar and have not reviewed their plan since. This loyalty can cost you hundreds of dollars per year. Retailers regularly change their rates, and the 'honeymoon' period on introductory offers typically lasts 12-24 months before rates rise. Reasons to switch include: your current plan's rates have increased (retailers can change prices with notice), you have installed solar and need a good FiT rate, you have added a battery or EV and need a time-of-use tariff, you are moving to a new home and can choose any retailer, or you simply have not compared plans in the last 12 months. The switching process takes 1-3 business days and your electricity supply is never interrupted — only the billing relationship changes.

Before comparing plans, gather three pieces of information. First, your NMI (National Metering Identifier) number — this is an 11-digit number that identifies your electricity meter and connection point. You can find it on your electricity bill, usually labelled 'NMI' or 'National Meter Identifier'. You will need this to ensure your new retailer sets up the correct metering configuration, especially if you have solar. Second, your annual electricity usage in kWh — found on your bill or estimated from past bills. Third, your solar export volume in kWh per year if you have solar panels — this helps compare FiT offers. You do not need to tell your current retailer you are leaving — your new retailer handles the transfer.

Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) is the Australian Government's free and independent price comparator, authorised by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Unlike commercial comparison sites that may receive commissions from certain retailers, Energy Made Easy shows every plan available in your postcode without bias. To use it: enter your postcode, enter your annual kWh usage (and solar exports if applicable), review the ranked list of plans by estimated annual cost, check the plan details including FiT rates, daily supply charges, and any conditional discounts, and select a plan to switch. The site shows the estimated annual cost including all fees, discounts, and FiT income. For Victoria residents, use the Victorian Energy Compare (compare.energy.vic.gov.au) — the state government's equivalent tool.

If you have solar panels, your priorities when switching are different from a non-solar household. Look for: a competitive FiT rate (compare against your state's typical range — VIC 4-12c, SA 5-8c, NSW 5-9c, QLD 6-10c, ACT 8-12c, WA DEBS 10c peak/2.5c off-peak, TAS 7.5-8.5c, NT 8-20c), a low import rate (this matters more than FiT because self-consumption is more valuable than exports), a low daily supply charge (typically 80-130c/day depending on state), and no solar-specific export limits or restrictions. Some retailers offer solar-specific plans with higher FiT rates but higher import rates — calculate your total annual cost before choosing. Also check whether the retailer offers time-of-use tariffs if you have or plan to get a battery or EV.

Energy experts recommend reviewing your electricity plan at least once a year, and ideally every quarter. Why quarterly? Retailers often change rates and introduce new plans in response to wholesale market conditions, which shift with seasons. The best plan in January (high summer air conditioning demand) may not be the best in July (lower usage, different tariff structures). Set a reminder to check Energy Made Easy every 3-6 months. If you find a plan that saves AU$100/year or more, switch immediately. Some households save AU$200-500/year by switching twice — once for a competitive introductory rate, then again when that rate expires. Just watch out for exit fees (rare for residential plans but worth checking) and ensure any conditional discounts (pay-on-time, direct debit) fit your payment habits.

Step 1: Compare plans on Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare. Step 2: Select your preferred plan and click through to the retailer's website or call them. Step 3: Provide your NMI number, contact details, and current retailer name. The new retailer may ask for a recent bill to verify usage. Step 4: The new retailer contacts your current retailer to initiate the transfer — you do not need to notify your old retailer. Step 5: Within 1-3 business days (and up to 14 days in rare cases), the transfer completes. Your electricity supply is never interrupted. Step 6: You receive a final bill from your old retailer and a welcome letter from your new one. Step 7: Confirm your solar FiT setup is correct on your first bill from the new retailer.

Common mistakes include: only looking at the FiT rate without checking the import rate (a high FiT with a high import rate can cost more overall), forgetting to include conditional discounts (pay-on-time, direct debit) in the comparison (these can save 5-15%), signing long-term contracts (avoid fixed-term plans longer than 12 months unless the rate is exceptional), not checking solar export limits (some plans cap FiT-eligible exports at a certain kWh per day), switching to a retailer without a good reputation for customer service, and not comparing plans again after the first contract period ends. Use the Energy and Water Ombudsman if you have disputes with your retailer during switching.