The Energy Market in New South Wales

New South Wales, one of the states within the National Electricity Market, offers residents the ability to choose from a number of energy providers. Understanding the energy market in NSW, and knowing what you can do to make the smartest energy choices for your household, can help you save money and reduce your energy consumption.
Default market offer (DMO) in NSW
While shopping around and comparing energy plans, you’ve probably noticed the “reference price” mentioned. The reference price, or Default Market Offer (DMO) is a price set by the government to protect and inform consumers. The DMO has two main functions:
- To protect consumers from exponential energy prices if they choose not to engage with the energy market and instead remain on the Standing Offer. While the Standing Offer doesn’t necessarily offer the cheapest energy rates on the market it does prevent energy providers from charging you more if you don’t qualify for, or choose not to subscribe to, a discounted Market Offer.
- To inform consumers about energy plan prices and how much less (or in some instances more) expensive an energy retailers market offer is, compared to the standard offer. This is often shown as “X% off the Reference Price” in the details about an energy providers electricity plan.
Distribution Network | Annual estimated usage | DMO on a Flat-Rate tariff |
---|---|---|
Ausgrid | 3,900kWh / year | $1,462 / year |
Endeavour | 4,900kWh / year | $1,711 / year |
Essential | 4,600kWh / year | $1,960 / year |
*Source: AER - Default Market Offer - Price determination 2020-21 Final Determination

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Average energy usage in NSW
Residents of New South Wales pay among the lowest for energy prices within the NEM, second only to Queensland residents who have the lowest average electricity bills. The average NSW household living in Sydney pays around $1,300 annually on electricity, while those households with pools can end up paying even more.
Thankfully, with a few energy-saving measures, you can lower your energy bills and turn your home into an energy-efficient powerhouse. A few simple energy-saving measures can include:
- Unplugging appliances when they’re not in use, to prevent them from zapping extra energy from your house
- Switching to energy-efficient appliances with a high star-energy rating
- Installing insulated curtains over your windows
- Replace old single-pane windows with double or triple glazed windows
- Changing to a smart meter to track your usage
- Invest in solar energy with New South Wales' solar rebates and concessions
NSW energy rebates and concessions
To help with the increasing costs of energy, the NSW government also has a number of rebates and concessions for residents in the state. If you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, or facing financial difficulties, it’s best to first get in touch with your energy provider to find out what all your options are, which can also include payment plans or postponing a payment.
- Family Energy Rebate NSW: Up to $180 per year
- Gas Rebate NSW: Up to $110 per year
- Low Income Household Rebate NSW: Up to $285 per year
- Seniors Energy Rebate NSW: Up to $200/year
- Pension Supplement NSW
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme (EAPA) NSW
- Life Support Rebate NSW
Payment dispute with your energy provider?If you're having a problem with your energy provider, whether its a payment dispute, complaint, or other issue, your energy ombudsman in NSW can help to resolve the problem in a free and fair way.
Energy providers NSW
Residents of New South Wales can switch their energy provider whenever they want, and have some of the highest number of energy providers in the country. Below, we outline some of the energy providers available, as well as the fuel type they offer to NSW residents so you can compare different types of energy plans and find the best for you.
Electricity Provider | Plan Name | Discount off Reference Price | Estimated Bill (including discounts) |
---|---|---|---|
OVO Energy | The One Plan | -23% off | $989 / year |
GloBird Energy | Boost | -29% off | $992 / year |
Mojo Power | All Day Breakfast | -27% off | $1,012 / year |
Tango Energy | Home Select | -27% off | $1,012 / year |
Nectr | 100% Clean | -24% off | $1,015 / year |
GEE Energy | Saver | -23% off | $1,019 / year |
Alinta Energy | Home Deal | -25% off | $1,044 / year |
ReAmped Energy | Advance | -24% off | $1,058 / year |
Energy Locals | Online Member 2022 | -23% off | $1,070 / year |
Sumo | Sumo Assure | -20% off | $1,070 / year |
Momentum Energy | Self Serve | -22% off | $1,087 / year |
Origin Energy | Flexi Rate ePlus | -22% off | $1,087 / year |
EnergyAustralia | Total Plan Home | -22% off | $1,089 / year |
Simply Energy | Simply NRMA | -20% off | $1,114 / year |
Radian Energy | The Simple Switch 100% Net Zero | -20% off | $1,121 / year |
Powerclub | Powerbank Home Flat | -19% off | $1,128 / year |
CovaU | Freedom Online | -15% off | $1,130 / year |
Discover Energy | Smart Saver | -18% off | $1,137 / year |
Electricity In A Box | Home Anytime | -18% off | $1,139 / year |
Dodo | Market Offer | -18% off | $1,141 / year |
AGL | Value Saver | -18% off | $1,142 / year |
1st Energy | 1st Super Saver | -8% off | $1,144 / year |
Red Energy | Living Energy Saver | -16% off | $1,167 / year |
Powershop | 100% Carbon Neutral | -16% off | $1,171 / year |
Glow Power | Glow Power Saver | -16% off | $1,177 / year |
Diamond Energy | Everyday Renewable Saver | -6% off | $1,179 / year |
Future X Power | Smart Flat | -15% off | $1,179 / year |
Bright Spark Power | Aussie Flat Rate Plan | -12% off | $1,221 / year |
Pooled Energy | Sparkling Water | -10% off | $1,254 / year |
Kogan Energy | Kogan Energy with Free Kogan First | -10% off | $1,256 / year |
Smart Energy | Feel Good | -7% off | $1,295 / year |
Enova Energy | Community Plus | Same Reference Price | $1,358 / year |
Amber Electric | Amber Plan | Same as Reference Price | $1,393 / year |
QEnergy | Home Your Way | Same as Reference Price | $1,393 / year |
*Figures are for illustrative purposes only and don't compare all products, providers, plan features, offers, or rates. Products are compared like-for-like and any distinctions between products are clearly marked. Not all offers may be available in all locations or distribution networks. Rates based on electricity distributor for Sydney (2000) with an average use of 3900kWh. Calculations are based on the reference price for this area. Any offers or estimated costs compared are for example purposes only and may change based on your individual circumstances or habits. Offers and availability are subject to change. Read more about Basic Plan Information here. Valid April 2022.
See important information close
With full retail contestability within the state, customers can easily switch energy providers in NSW if they want. Switching is simple, all you need to do is get in contact with your new provider and sign up for the plan you want and they’ll let your old provider know about the switch. Once you have your final meter reading from your previous retailer, you’ll get your final bill and officially be switched to your new plan.
Cheapest energy providers NSW
Not all energy providers offer the cheapest electricity in New South Wales. Below we outline some of the cheapest electricity providers and plans in New South Wales with the biggest discounts in the state.
Nectr Friends Clean |
ReAmped Advanced |
OVO Energy The One Plan |
Powerclub Powerbank Home Flat |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Discount off the reference price | 20% discount | 27% discount | 24% discount | 24% discount |
Daily supply charge | 99.99c / day | 91.55c / day | 67.65c / day | 80.44c / day |
Usage rates | 20.57c / kWh | 18.96c / kWh | 22.22c / kWh | 20.05c / kWh |
Estimated annual cost | $1,115.92 / year | $1,074 / year | $1,114 / year | $1,114 / year |
*Source: Provider websites. Costs based on 3900kWh average annual usage within the Ausgrid network. Prices valid August 2020.
Largest energy providers NSW
EnergyAustralia, AGL, and Origin Energy are the three biggest energy providers in Australia. In New South Wales, these three energy providers (known as the Big Three) have a combined total market share of over 80%. Here we outline these three energy providers' best electricity plans so you can compare their energy prices in New South Wales.
Origin Energy Max Saver |
AGL Essentials |
EnergyAustralia Total Plan |
|
---|---|---|---|
Discount off the reference price | 17% discount | 17% discount | 17% discount |
Daily supply charge | 71.47c / day | 75.67c / day | 70.3c / day |
Usage rates | 24.43c / kWh | 24.024c / kWh | 24.53c / kWh |
Estimated annual cost | $1,214 / year | $1,214 / year | $1,213 / year |
*Source: Provider websites. Costs based on 3900kWh average annual usage within the Ausgrid network. Prices valid August 2020.

Need Energy Advice?
Read our full set of energy guides for advice on providers and plans.
Energy distributors in NSW
Residents of NSW have three electricity and three gas distributors who supply energy to the state. Knowing which distributor services your area is important, as they are the ones you contact if your electricity goes out or you smell gas. In addition, they maintain the electricity grid and gas lines, and they will usually post on their website about any known outages or scheduled maintenance.
Service District | Emergency Number | General Number | |
---|---|---|---|
Endeavour Energy | Southern & western metropolitan Sydney | 131 003 | 131 718 |
Essential Energy | Country & regional NSW & some ACT | 132 080 | 132 391 |
Ausgrid | Inner, northern & eastern metropolitan Sydney and surrounds | 131 388 | 131 535 |
Service District | Emergency Number | General Number | |
---|---|---|---|
Central Ranges Pipeline | Tamworth | 1800 676 300 132 771 131 909 |
(02) 6761 5522 |
Jemena Gas Networks (NSW) | Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong and parts of country NSW | 131 909 | 1300 137 078 |
Wagga Wagga Gas Distribution Network (Australia Gas Networks) | Wagga Wagga | Gas leak:1800 GAS LEAK Fault1800 898 220 |
1300 001 001 |