Canstar’s 2026 Outstanding Value Energy Awards

What we found

"The cheapest deals got cheaper in most states this year, but daily charges rose by about a quarter in four states. You pay the daily charge however little power you use, so it hits low-usage households hardest: they end up paying more for each kWh used than bigger households."
— Fin Valentine, Research Analyst at Canstar

Wholesale electricity became cheaper this year. Across the national electricity market, the spot price averaged $74 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in the June quarter, 47% lower than a year earlier, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator. For the same households, the average of each retailer’s cheapest single rate bill fell 9.8% in Queensland, 7.9% in Victoria and 7.4% in NSW between September 2025 and 30 September, 2026. It fell 1.2% in South Australia and rose 5.8% in Tasmania and the ACT. Our Queensland and South Australian figures cover low- and medium-usage households only.

Usage rates on the cheapest plans mostly fell, but the daily charge (the fixed amount you pay to stay connected) rose by about a quarter in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. A higher daily charge adds about the same to every bill, while a lower usage rate saves you money on the power you actually use. In NSW, a low-usage home’s cheapest bill fell 3.6%, against 9.0% for a high-usage home. Victoria, where daily charges edged down, was the exception.

If you have solar, the feed-in credit — what your retailer pays for the power you send to the grid — is now low. On each retailer’s cheapest single rate solar plan it averaged 1.2c to 3.4c per kWh on the mainland on 30 September 2026, and about 10c in Tasmania. For the mainland solar households we modelled, that’s worth $57 to $128 a year, much less than they pay for power from the grid.

How we chose the winners

How we assessed value

The cheapest plan isn’t always the best fit, so each award weights price at 80% and features at 20%.

Prices change often, so we scored each retailer’s cheapest eligible plan against the cheapest on the market on six dates from 17 July to 30 September, 2026, then averaged the scores. A short-lived deal counts for less than a steady price.

Our bills include guaranteed discounts in full, and conditional discounts (such as for paying on time) and one-off sign-up credits at 90% of their value: in effect, a new customer’s first-year bill. We don’t count fees, except for Western Australian gas.

For the first time, we assessed time of use plans. They make up 20% to 30% of the electricity and solar price score, depending on the state.

We assessed each retailer’s features on 30 September, 2026. Plan flexibility makes up 40% of the features score, and billing and payments and customer service and support 30% each.

Energy markets differ by state, so we give awards by state and territory and assess electricity, solar and gas separately:

Past prices aren’t a reliable guide to future prices, and retailers can change their plans, prices and features at any time. Full detail is in our methodology document.

Who we looked at

We rated 6,747 plans from 28 retailers on 30 September, 2026, across 362 consumer profiles. Plan details come from the Consumer Data Right, except for Western Australian gas.

We rated only plans that new residential customers can join, and left out demand tariffs and plans for closed groups such as existing customers. A retailer scored nothing in a network, area or profile where it had no eligible plan.

We don’t give an award where there isn’t a competitive market to compare:

• Northern Territory: the government closely regulates prices and service.
• Western Australia (electricity and solar): there are too few plans to compare.
• Tasmania (gas): one distributor handles all natural gas, which limits the range of plans.
• Queensland outside the south east: only one retailer operates in most areas.

What this award is and isn’t

This award compares residential electricity, solar and gas plans on price and features, using our consumer profiles and six price dates between 17 July and 30 September, 2026. We assessed every eligible retailer the same way. Because features count, a winner may not be the cheapest retailer in its state, and an award doesn’t mean other plans aren’t worth considering. The award isn’t personal advice or a guarantee of future prices, and it doesn’t cover every retailer or plan in Australia. Retailers can change their plans at any time, so check the current details before you switch.

What to keep in mind when comparing energy plans

Check the daily charge, not just the usage rate

You pay the daily charge however little power you use. Daily charges rose by about a quarter in four states this year, and a plan with a low usage rate but a high daily charge can cost a small household more.

Know what a discount depends on

Some discounts apply only if you pay on time or by direct debit. Retailers pay sign-up credits only once, so the second year can cost more than the first.

If you have solar, look at the grid price too

Feed-in credits now average a few cents per kWh on the mainland. A plan with a higher feed-in rate can still cost more overall if its other charges are higher.

Time of use plans suit some households, not all

A time of use plan charges different rates at different times of day. It can cost less if you use most of your power at cheaper times, and more if you use it in the peak. Your bills or smart meter data show when you use power.

Prices change, so compare regularly

Retailers launch and withdraw plans often: about a third of the plans we rated on 30 September, 2026 weren’t on offer on 17 July. In most states your retailer can raise your price only once a year, but a newer plan may cost less.

Read the plan details before you switch

Some plans are only for new customers, and some require direct debit or email bills. Check the plan’s Basic Plan Information Document, or its Energy Fact Sheet in Victoria.