Red Energy vs Origin Energy: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Choosing the right energy provider in Australia can feel overwhelming, especially with so many offers that look similar on the surface. Two well-known names—Red Energy and Origin Energy—offer electricity and gas plans across multiple states, but they differ in price, customer service, and overall approach. Whether you’re looking for the best rates, green energy options, or simply a provider with great customer support, this guide compares Red Energy vs Origin Energy to help you make an informed decision.
Who Are Red Energy and Origin Energy?
Red Energy
Red Energy is a smaller, 100% Australian-owned retailer based in Melbourne and owned by Snowy Hydro. They focus heavily on customer service and offer plans backed by renewable energy commitments. Red Energy often appeals to households looking for a local provider with a strong reputation for support and transparency.
Origin Energy
Origin Energy is one of Australia’s Big Three energy retailers and has a long-standing presence in the market. They offer a wide range of electricity and gas plans, solar products, and energy management tools. As one of the largest generators and retailers, Origin has strong infrastructure and broad national coverage.
Availability by State
| State | Red Energy | Origin Energy |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| VIC | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| QLD | ✅ Yes (electricity only) | ✅ Yes |
| SA | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ACT | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| TAS | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| WA | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Red Energy has more limited coverage compared to Origin, especially outside of the eastern states. Neither provider currently sells energy plans in Tasmania, WA, or the NT.
Plan Comparison: Red Energy vs Origin
Price & Discounts
Red Energy keeps it simple—no conditional discounts or confusing incentives. Their offers usually sit just below the Default Market Offer (DMO) or Victorian Default Offer (VDO) in each state. The simplicity is appreciated by many customers who want to avoid hidden catches.
Origin tends to provide larger conditional discounts, often tied to on-time payments or direct debit. They also regularly offer online sign-up bonuses and credit incentives—particularly for new customers or those who bundle gas and electricity.
Tip: Prices and discounts can vary significantly by postcode. Compare electricity plans to see which provider has the cheapest deal in your area.
GreenPower and Renewable Options
Red Energy offers 100% accredited GreenPower plans, particularly the Living Energy Saver and Qantas Red Saver Green. Their parent company, Snowy Hydro, also contributes to renewable generation, making Red Energy a great option for sustainability-focused consumers.
Origin Energy also offers GreenPower add-ons, along with their own Carbon Neutral plans, which offset emissions from your energy use. Origin also owns solar farms and has a comprehensive solar feed-in tariff program.
If going green is your priority, both providers perform well, but Red Energy often markets itself more heavily on its renewable credentials.
Solar Feed-in Tariffs
Origin Energy generally offers higher solar feed-in tariffs than Red Energy, especially in competitive states like NSW and VIC. However, Origin’s FITs may decrease after an initial usage threshold.
Red Energy still offers competitive FITs, and their solar customers benefit from simplified billing and decent base rates—just be sure to check plan-specific conditions in your area.
Red Energy vs Origin: Customer Service
Customer service is where Red Energy tends to shine. They consistently rank above Origin Energy in customer satisfaction surveys and review sites.
- Fast call wait times
- Local customer support based in Melbourne
- Consistent 4+ star reviews across ProductReview and Google
In contrast, Origin has mixed reviews. While they have improved their digital tools (such as their app and online account portal), they tend to score lower on personal support and billing clarity. That said, Origin’s larger size means faster resolution times for outages or connection requests in some areas due to more robust infrastructure partnerships.
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Mobile App & Account Management
- Origin Energy App: Offers real-time usage tracking, solar insights, billing management, and outage updates.
- Red Energy App: A newer offering with more basic features. You can view and pay bills, track energy usage, and update contact information, but advanced functionality is still growing.
If having a feature-rich mobile experience is important, Origin’s app has the edge for now.
Rewards & Extras
Red Energy: Offers Qantas Frequent Flyer points on select plans, including the Qantas Red Saver, where you earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on energy bills.
Origin Energy: Sometimes offers signup bonuses like bill credits, movie tickets, or Origin Shop discounts. Their loyalty programs change frequently and often depend on marketing campaigns.
| Feature | Red Energy | Origin Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Australian (Snowy Hydro) | Public company (ASX: ORG) |
| Coverage | East Coast only | Nationwide (except TAS, WA, NT) |
| Green Options | Strong GreenPower commitment | GreenPower and carbon neutral add-ons |
| Solar FIT | Competitive | Often higher with thresholds |
| Customer Service | Local, highly rated | Mixed reviews |
| Mobile App | Basic features | Feature-rich |
| Rewards | Qantas Points | Bill credits, bonuses |
| Plan Simplicity | No conditional discounts | Includes conditional discounts |
Which Provider Is Right for You?
Choose Red Energy if you value simple pricing, strong local customer service, and want to support a fully Australian-owned retailer. It’s also a good fit if you prefer Qantas rewards or are passionate about renewables.
Choose Origin Energy if you're looking for higher solar feed-in tariffs, a feature-rich mobile app, or larger sign-up bonuses. Origin's extensive infrastructure and plan variety may suit households with more complex needs, such as solar systems, battery storage, or electric vehicles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Red Energy or Origin Energy?
Pricing varies by state and plan. Origin often provides larger discounts in metro areas and may be cheaper in VIC, QLD, SA, or NSW, but Red Energy’s simplicity appeals to those wanting no-strings rates. Compare actual quotes for your address to see which is better for you[1][3][2].
Which company is more sustainable?
Both companies offer GreenPower options, but Red Energy scores higher for renewables and transparency in independent reviews. Both allow you to buy 100% GreenPower but Red’s parent, Snowy Hydro, also operates major renewables assets[2].
Who has the better solar feed-in tariff (FIT)?
Origin generally offers higher FITs for solar, especially in competitive markets like NSW and VIC, but check for plan-specific thresholds and conditions. Red’s FITs are competitive and stable, appealing to straightforward billing seekers.
Do Red Energy or Origin offer rewards?
Red Energy offers Qantas Points on select plans. Origin Energy offers a range of periodic rewards such as bill credits, sign-up discounts, and shopping perks which regularly change based on current promotions[1][3].
Which is better for customer service?
Red Energy is known for its local, 100% Australian service and consistently high customer ratings, while Origin has broader infrastructure but receives more mixed reviews for billing, support, and communication quality[4][5][3].
Can I get both electricity and gas from these providers?
Both companies sell electricity and gas in available states, except QLD where Red Energy offers electricity only. Confirm coverage for your property by postcode.
Which mobile app is better?
Origin’s app is more advanced, offering real-time usage and outage alerts. Red Energy’s app covers the basics (bill pay, usage monitoring) and is newer on the market.
How do I switch providers?
Switching is simple—compare plans, sign up online or by phone, and your new provider will arrange the transfer. There’s no interruption to your supply and no need to contact your old provider to disconnect.
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No AI Used in This Content
At Selectra Australia, we pride ourselves on delivering content that is 100% written, reviewed, and fact-checked by real people. We do not use artificial intelligence tools—such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or any other generative AI platforms—to produce or edit the content found on this page. Every article and guide is created by our in-house team of Australian content specialists, energy experts, and researchers who understand the local market and care deeply about providing accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely helpful information. We believe trust is built through transparency and human insight—never automation.
