Compare Energy Providers: AGL vs Origin Energy
As two of the three biggest energy providers in Australia (alongside EnergyAustralia), it might seem like there isn’t any difference between AGL and Origin Energy. Despite the recent shift to smaller energy providers, these Big Three are still among the most popular choices in energy companies. But, are they actually that different? To help you compare AGL and Origin Energy, and look at everything from where they are available, to their prices, their customer service, and more, continue reading below.
- Compare energy providers in Australia
- AGL vs Origin Energy
- Origin Energy vs Simply Energy
- EnergyAustralia vs Origin Energy
AGL vs Origin Energy: Where do they retail?
The first step when it comes to comparing energy providers in Australia is to find out if they retail electricity and gas services to your area. Bigger energy providers are usually available in most parts of the National Electricity Market however, AGL does not retail in the ACT, nor does it supply natural gas to Queensland. Origin Energy, however, is available in the ACT and in Queensland while both AGL and Origin Energy retail natural gas to Western Australia.
| AGL | Origin Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Gas | Electricity | Gas | |
| New South Wales | ||||
| ACT | ||||
| Victoria | ||||
| Queensland | ||||
| South Australia | ||||
| Western Australia | ||||
| Tasmania | ||||
| Northern Territory | ||||
AGL vs Origin deals and plans
Choosing the right energy plan depends on what you’re looking for. Whether you want a simple plan you can set and forget, the biggest discount available, or a higher solar feed-in tariff, continue reading below to see which energy deals and plans are available through AGL and Origin Energy.
Origin Energy gas and electricity plans
Origin Energy has many plans available for their customers including two solar energy plans to get the most out of your solar PV system with a higher feed-in tariff, as well as energy plans with both variable rates and fixed rates.
| Origin Energy plan name | Origin Energy plan description |
|---|---|
| Go (+ Everyday Rewards) | The biggest discount off the reference price with fixed-rates for 12 months with optional Origin Everyday Rewards |
| Go Variable | Variable rates on a 12-month benefit period with a discount off the reference price |
| Solar Boost | No additional discounts, but a higher-than-average solar feed-in tariff |
| Solar Boost Plus | Get the highest solar FiT on the market by purchasing a solar PV system though Origin Energy |
| Basic | The default market offer with no discounts, benefit period, or exit fees |
AGL gas and electricity plans
AGL has three standard plans, with different benefits. Choose the biggest discount with e-billing, low and variable rates with flexible billing methods, or choose AGL Solar Savers for a higher solar feed-in tariff.
| AGL Energy plan name | AGL Energy plan description |
|---|---|
| Flexible Saver | Low, variable rates with an ongoing benefit period with flexible billing methods |
| Go Variable | Variable rates on a 12-month benefit period with a discount off the reference price |
| Super Saver | Fixed rates for 12 months with the biggest discount available. E-billing required |
| Solar Saver | No discount off the reference price but a higher solar feed-in tariff |
Origin Energy vs AGL: Cheapest electricity deals
Saving money and choosing the cheapest electricity plans are high on almost everyone’s reason to switch energy providers. Below, you can compare AGL and Origin Energy’s cheapest plans, to help you compare the two energy providers, based on the reference price for each capital city.
| State | AGL Super Saver |
Origin Energy Origin Go |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 18% discount $1,142 / year |
16% discount $1,143 / year |
| ACT | N/A | $1,740 / year |
| Victoria | 13% discount $1,105 / year |
12% discount $1,120 / year |
| Queensland | 18% discount $1,193 / year |
14% discount $$1,252 / year |
| South Australia | 6% discount $1,610 / year |
14% discount $1,476 / year |
Source: AGL and Origin Energy websites. Valid July 2021. Discounts and annual cost based on the reference price for each capital city. Comparison does not include all offers available.
Compare AGL and Origin Energy gas prices
Whether you’re looking to bundle electricity and gas, or just need a new gas provider, both AGL and Origin Energy offer natural gas services. Below you can find the cheapest gas plans from AGL and Origin Energy, for the average medium usage for each capital city.
| State & average usage | AGL Super Saver |
Origin Energy Origin Go |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales 18,542Mj / year |
$739 / year | $770 / year |
| ACT 38,544Mj / year |
N / A | $1,490 / year |
| Victoria 58,035Mj / year |
$1,260 / year | $1,510 / year |
| Qld 7,154Mj / year |
$550 / year | $640 / year |
| South Australia 10,987Mj / year |
$710 / year | $730 / year |
Source: Origin Energy and AGL websites. Valid July 2021. Discounts and annual cost based on the Basic Plan Information Document for each capital city. Comparison does not include all offers available.
AGL vs Origin Energy: Solar feed-in tariffs
If you have a solar PV system, or are interested in investing in solar energy, knowing your energy company’s solar feed-in tariff is as important as knowing their rates and discounts. Below, you can find a comparison of AGL and Origin Energy solar feed-in tariffs, for their solar energy plans, and their basic FiT for their standard plans.
| NSW | ACT | Vic | Qld | SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGL Solar Savers FiT | 17c | N / A | N / A | N / A | 16c |
| AGL Basic FiT | 7c | N / A | 6.7c | 6c | 8c |
| Origin Solar Boost Plus | 22c | 20c | 20c | 18c | 21c |
| Origin Solar Boost | 14c | 11c | 10c | 13c | 13c |
| Origin Energy Basic FiT | 5c | 7c | 6.7c | 5c | 6c |
Valid July 2021. Valid July 2021. Must purchase solar panels through Origin Energy to get Solar Boost Plus rates.
Should I sign up for AGL or Origin Energy?
The best energy provider is the one that fits your household’s needs, whether that's the cheapest provider, the one with the best customer service, or the provider that can get you the most back from your solar PV system. No matter what you’re looking for, both AGL and Origin Energy offer something for every household.
| Origin Energy | AGL | |
|---|---|---|
| GreenPeace Green Electricity Guide Rating 2018 | 3 out of 5 stars | 3.5 out of 5 stars and “Most Improved” |
| Average wait time for customer calls* | 145 seconds | 34 seconds |
| Calls answered within 30 seconds* | 53% | 80% |
| Customer complaints: Total number and percentage of customers* | 26,598 complaints 1% of total customers |
41,703 complaints 3% of total customers |
| GreenPower percentages | 25%, 50% or 100% | 10%, 20% or 100% |
| Solar energy | Solar panels: Yes Solar FiT: Yes |
Solar panels: Yes Solar FiT: Yes |
*Source: AER Retail Market Report 2019-2020
AGL plan name AGL plan description AGL Essentials Get a total discount with fixed rates for 12 months AGL Essentials Saver Variable rates on a simple home energy plan AGL Solar A smaller discount off the reference price with a higher solar feed-in-tariff AGL Electric Vehicle Plan Exclusive for EV owners. Get discounted energy rates and additional credits (up to $480 over two years) to help save while charging your car
Origin Energy electricity and gas plans
Origin Energy offers five electricity and gas plans to Australians. These Origin Energy electricity and gas plans come with flexible billing and payment options, as well as numerous incentives with their plans.
| Origin Energy plan name | Origin Energy plan description |
|---|---|
| Origin Go | Get a discount off the reference price and earn Everyday Rewards |
| Origin Flexi | Flexible billing and payment methods with discounted electricity and gas |
| Origin Home Support + Origin Basic Gas | No discount off the reference price. Get 12 months of 24/7 home support with the Allianz Global Network plus two home callouts of up to $300 each |
| Origin Solar Boost | No additional discounts but get a higher solar feed-in-tariff |
| Origin Solar Boost Plus | Exclusive for customers who purchase solar PV systems with Origin Energy. Get the highest solar feed-in-tariff on the market |
AGL rates vs Origin Energy rates
Find everything you need to know about AGL electricity and gas rates, and Origin Energy rates
While there are many factors involved when it comes to choosing the best energy plan, it can’t be denied that cost is among the most important. If you’re looking for the cheapest energy provider in Australia, you can find a comparison of AGL and Origin Energy’s cheapest electricity plans below.
| Origin Energy Origin Go |
AGL Essentials | |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 17% discount $1,199 / year |
17% discount $1,214 / year |
| ACT | $967 / year | N / A |
| Victoria | 14% discount $1,221 / year |
11% discount $1,264 / year |
| Queensland | 16% discount $1,252 / year |
12% discount $1,327 / year |
| South Australia | 13% discount $1,576 / year |
14% discount $1,576 / year |
Origin Energy vs AGL solar plans and offers
If you’re interested in solar energy, both Origin and AGL can help you get set up with new solar panels installed onto your property. Once you have solar panels, however, you’re probably interested in what solar feed-in-tariff is available to you. Both AGL and Origin Energy offer solar-specific energy plans to customers, which offer a higher feed-in-tariff but lower discount off the electricity reference price, in addition to their standard feed-in-tariff which is applicable to all their energy plans.
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic FiT | 9.5c / kWh | 10.2c / kWh | 8c / kWh | 12.4c / kWh |
| Solar Savers FiT | 17c / kWh | N / A | 15c / kWh | 16c / kWh |
| NSW | ACT | VIC | QLD | SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic FiT | 7c / kWh | 7c / kWh | 10.2c / kWh | 6c / kWh | 8c / kWh |
| Solar Boost FiT | 12c / kWh | 11c / kWh | 14c / kWh | 9c / kWh | 13c / kWh |
| Solar Boost Plus FiT* | 22c / kWh | 20c / kWh | 20c / kWh | 18c / kWh | 21c / kWh |
*Solar Boost Plus is only available to customers who purchase their solar PV system through Origin Energy
AGL vs Origin Energy review
Outside of cost, rates, and solar, it can be helpful to look at other factors when comparing energy providers. Here you can find a summarized comparison of Origin Energy and AGL. For a full review of each provider, see our Origin Energy Review and AGL Review.
| AGL | Origin Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Green Electricity Guide Rating | 3.5 out of 5 stars and “Most Improved” | 3.5 out of 5 stars |
| Average wait time for customer calls (2019-20) | 34 seconds | 145 seconds |
| Calls answered within 30 seconds (2019-20) | 80% | 53% |
| Customer complaints (2019-20) total number and percentage of customers | 41,703 complaints 3% of total customers |
26,598 complaints 1% of total customers |
| Average customer review (various sources on the web) | 1.5 out of 5 stars | 1.4 out of 5 stars |