Setting up electricity and gas in Australia
How to compare electricity and gas plans, and the official comparison site for each state.
In short
Electricity and gas are sold by energy companies called retailers. In most states you choose a retailer and a plan, and prices differ, so it pays to compare. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory most homes have little or no choice.
Rules in each state and territory
Tap your state to see its rules.
South Australia
Compare plans for free on the government's energy comparison site. Enter your postcode.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- Optional: a recent bill, if you want to compare your usage with similar households
Run by the Australian Energy Regulator. The page describing it was old when checked, so confirm the site is current.
Last checked 8 Oct 2026.
New South Wales
Compare electricity and gas plans for free on Energy Made Easy, the Australian Government's comparison site. It covers New South Wales.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- Optional: a recent bill, if you want to compare your own usage
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Victoria
Compare electricity and gas offers for free on Victorian Energy Compare, the Victorian Government's comparison tool.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- For the most accurate electricity comparison, the NMI number from an electricity bill, which lets the tool read your smart meter data
Energy Made Easy, the national comparison site, does not cover Victoria.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Queensland
Compare electricity and gas plans for free on Energy Made Easy, the Australian Government's comparison site. It covers Queensland.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- Optional: a recent bill, if you want to compare your own usage
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Western Australia
Most households in Perth and the south-west cannot choose their electricity retailer. On that main grid, homes are supplied by Synergy at prices set by the State Government.
What you need to know
- Outside the main south-west grid you can choose a retailer, but Horizon Power is the only one in many regional areas
- Energy Made Easy, the national comparison site, does not cover Western Australia
Not checked here: how to open an account with Synergy or Horizon Power, or how gas is supplied.
Electricity industry (Energy Policy WA) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Tasmania
Compare electricity and gas plans for free on Energy Made Easy, the Australian Government's comparison site. It covers Tasmania.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- Optional: a recent bill, if you want to compare your own usage
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Australian Capital Territory
Compare electricity and gas plans for free on Energy Made Easy, the Australian Government's comparison site. It covers the ACT.
What you need to know
- Your postcode
- Optional: a recent bill, if you want to compare your own usage
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has very little choice of electricity retailer for households. The NT regulator reported Jacana Energy with close to 100% of small customers.
What you need to know
- Jacana Energy: 1800 522 262
- Energy Made Easy, the national comparison site, does not cover the Northern Territory
The market share figure is from the regulator's 2021-22 review. Not checked here: how to open an account.
Useful links (NT Utilities Commission) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.