Origin Energy: Electricity, Gas, and Solar Offers; How to Contact, and Reviews

Origin is one of the leading energy providers in Australia and, alongside AGL and EnergyAustralia, one of the "Big Three" energy providers. As one of Australia's largest retailers, Origin Energy has over 4.2 million customers within the residential, small business, and large business sectors. Read on for more information about Origin Energy and decide which energy provider in Australia is best for your household. 

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Overview of Origin Energy

Origin Energy is a publicly listed Australian energy company based in Sydney, Australia. It was first formed in February 2000 as a result of the demerger between Boral Limited; a building and construction materials company, and SAGASCO; a historic gas company founded in 1861. In 2018, Origin was one of 17 energy providers to support the Energy Charter which aims to provide more accessible and affordable energy to customers.

Origin is a “gentailer” within the Australian National Energy Market (NEM), which is an energy company that both generates its own energy and has a retail arm. Alongside AGL and EnergyAustralia, these three biggest gentailers control over 60% of the Australian energy market together. Origin alone, as a gentailer, represents 13% of the power generation capacity within the National Energy Market. 

Origin’s four pillars are exploration and energy production, energy generation, renewable energy, and selling energy. Origin provides electricity and gas, LPG, and solar energy for homes and businesses in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales, with additional natural gas offers in Western Australia . Since 2018, Origin began selling broadband to Australian customers in conjunction with its energy services.

Origin natural gas plans

Origin offers customers three standard plans for natural gas users; Basic, Flexi, and Max Saver. All plans come with no exit fee and no lock-in contracts so you don’t need to worry if you want to cancel early.

Origin Basic gas plan

Origin's ongoing natural gas plan with no benefit period, that you can just set and forget. With the Origin Basic natural gas plan, you can manage your entire account through the Origin app, including paying your bills or keeping track of your usage.

Origin Flexi gas plan

Origin's total discount natural gas plan, with a guaranteed discount for 12 months. While the exact percentage you save varies depending on your location, it could range  from 2% to 10% or more. With Origin Flexi, you can manage your account on the Origin app in order to pay bills and check your usage. After your 12 month benefit period is up, you might be eligible to renew your plan or switch to a new one.

Origin Max Saver gas plan

The biggest savings off Origin’s usage and supply charges which, like Origin Flexi, comes on a 12 month benefit period. The exact savings differ depending on your location, but they could fall anywhere between 3% and 12%, or more.

Unlike the other Origin natural gas plans, Origin Max Saver comes with some eligibility requirements including; setting up direct debit, choosing emails for your bills and notices, downloading the Origin app, and setting up My Account online.

*Savings vary depending on your location

Origin Energy electricity plans

Origin currently has three plans available for electricity users; Basic, Flexi, and Max Saver, as well as solar panel options. All plans come without exit fees or lock-in contracts.

Origin Basic Electricity

Origin Basic comes at Origin’s ongoing base rate or at the reference price, and you don’t have an end date to worry about. All your account management can be done on the Origin app, in order to pay your bills or keep an eye on your usage.

Origin Flexi electricity

This plan offers a discount on Origin's electricity, in comparison to the average or base rate. While the exact percentage you save changes depending on where you live, discounts could be up to 6% or more. With this plan, you receive a 12 month benefit period. After 12 months, you could either be eligible to renew your plan, or switch to a new one. Like Origin Basic, all your account management is done on the Origin app.

Origin Max Saver electricity

The biggest savings percentage for Origin customers. Like Origin Flexi, Origin Max Saver comes on a 12 month benefit period. While your exact savings may change, depending on where you live, they could fall between 8% and 16% or more.

Unlike Origin Flexi and Basic, Origin Max Saver comes with eligibility criteria you’ll need to agree to, including; setting up direct debit to pay your bill in full, choosing email for communication purposes and receiving bills, downloading the Origin app and activating your energy plan through the app, and setting up a My Account online.

Savings depend on your location

Origin LPG plans

Origin offers LPG for residences. Since the price for LPG depends on several factors, including global supply and demand and currency exchange rate, as well as any maintenance or equipment fees, it can be difficult to calculate your individual LGP cost. Find out more about Origin Energy LPG prices. Origin’s LPG services come with a number of options including gas bottle size and whether you want your gas bottles refilled or exchanged.

LPG bottle Size - What to choose

Origin offers a total of 10 different LPG bottle sizes, which range from 3.7kg to 210kg. Origin’s most popular 45kg LPG bottles usually come in pairs and can either be exchanged or refilled, depending on your usage.

LPG bottle refills or exchanges?

Origin offers both refills and exchange for LPG bottles, and the better choice for you can depend on your lifestyle and needs. LPG bottle exchange is great for customers who have low-to-medium gas consumption. You can order LPG when you need it, and the standard dual 45kg bottles fit in smaller spaces.

LPG bottle refills are great for those who consume a steady gas supply. Customers who choose this option have the peace of mind knowing they don’t need to monitor gas levels, as deliveries are regularly scheduled based on your average consumption.

Want Renewable Energy? Origin also offers the option to go green with LPG through GreenPower. For an added cost of $3 extra per 45kg bottle, Origin could offset your greenhouse gas emissions through planting trees, investing in renewable energy, or investing in energy reduction projects.

Origin solar energy

Origin has over a decade in solar energy experience, which recently includes a feature on Channel 7's House Rules 2019 season. Origin provides everything from ready-to-go packages, solar plans with feed-in tariffs, additional solar batteries, and accredited installation of their solar products.

Origin's ready-to-go solar packages

Origin offers three solar packages, suitable for every need. Starting at $3,495 their plans provide everything you need regardless of if you are new to solar power or looking to upgrade to the most efficient design possible.

Origin Energy solar boost plan

Origin’s solar plans are available to people who both have a system already installed, and those looking for new Origin solar systems. For those who already have a system installed, Origin offers Solar Boost to its customers, where you could have a feed-in-tariff of up to 20c / kWh.

• Origin Solar Boost feed-in-tariffs
• Victoria: 16c / kWh
• New South Wales: 18c / kWh
• Queensland: 15c / kWh
• The ACT: 16c / kWh
• South Australia: 20c / kWh

Origin Energy solar batteries

Origin offers two solar storage batteries; the Tesla Powerwall 2 or the LG Chem Resu. The Tesla Powerwall 2 starts at $12,749 for a retrofit installation, while the LG Chem Resu starts at $10,795 for retrofit installation. Both of these batteries can also be purchased with an Origin solar system package at a discount.

Want to contact Origin customer service?

Origin customer service is available by phone or email weekdays, with some additional weekend hours. All enquiries can be emailed to enquiry@originenergy.com.au. To contact Origin energy to subscribe to a plan, use one of the phone numbers below.

Any mail correspondence can be sent to:

GPO Box 1199
Adelaide SA 5001

How to subscribe to Origin Energy

In order to sign-up for Origin, you must first request a quote, which you can do on the Origin website once you select the plan or service you want. After you receive a letter with your quote, you can sign up online. When you sign-up for a new service, you will need a few things in order to prove eligibility.

• Things You Need
• An existing phone number and email
• A residential address
• Proof of occupancy / move-in date

Moving house and switching providers

10 Day Cooling Off PeriodAustralia law allows all energy subscribers a 10-business-day cooling off period after subscribing to an energy service, during which you can cancel your service at any time without penalty

To close your Origin Energy account, outside of your cooling-off period, you can do so via your Origin My Account either online or on your Origin App by filling out a disconnect form. It's important to remember that if you're switching energy provisders, your new provider should contact Origin Energy for you to make the switch.

If you’re moving house and have electricity or natural gas with Origin Energy, you can book your move online. If you book before 1pm Monday to Friday, you’ll be able to have your energy connected to your new address within one business day. For urgent, same-day, moving you can call 13 66 83. If you’re moving and have LPG bottles, you can fill out a close Origin LPG Account form.

Pay your Origin Energy bill

Customers can pay their Origin energy bill a number of ways with flexible billing methods. In addition, Origin offers EasiPay, a bill-smoothing option which allows you to pay smaller amounts more frequently based on your estimated usage so you can avoid bill shock every three months.