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Peak and off-peak electricity times
Peak, off-peak and shoulder electricity usage times only apply to a time of use tariff and vary between energy retailers, states and possibly seasons.
Generally, you should expect to see the following peak, off-peak and shoulder periods in each state:
States | Peak hours | Off-peak hours | Shoulder hours |
|---|---|---|---|
NSW (Ausgrid) | November to March (Summer) and June to August (Winter): | November to March (Summer) and June to August (Winter): | N/A |
VIC (Powercor) | 3:00pm – 9:00pm | All other times | N/A |
QLD (Energex) | 4:00pm – 9:00pm | 11:00am – 4:00 pm | 12:00 am – 11:00 am and 9:00pm – 12:00 am |
SA (SA Power Networks) | 6:00am – 10:00am and 4:00pm – 12:00am | 12:00am – 6:00am | N/A |
Glossary:
- Time of use tariff: When customers are charged different prices for their electricity usage based on the time of day. To be eligible for this tariff, you must have a smart meter installed.
- Peak hours: When the usage cost of electricity is most expensive on a time of use tariff.
- Off-peak hours: When the usage cost of electricity is at its cheapest on a time of use tariff.
- Shoulder hours: When the usage cost of electricity sits somewhere in the middle between peak hour and off-peak hour pricing.
For added specificity, we have listed times for AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia below.
Please note that these periods may change in the future
If you’re with a different retailer, you can check their peak and off-peak usage times and charges by reviewing their energy price fact sheets.
AGL peak and off-peak electricity times
Peak and off-peak electricity times from AGL vary between states:
Victoria (Citipower)
- Peak: 3pm to 9pm everyday
- Shoulder: Not applicable
- Off-peak: 9pm to 12am and 12am to 3pm everyday
New South Wales (Ausgrid)
- Peak: 2pm to 8pm on weekdays
- Shoulder: 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm on weekdays, 7am – 10pm on weekends
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am everyday
South East Queensland (Energex)
- Peak: 4pm to 9pm everyday
- Shoulder: 9pm to 12am, 12am to 9pm every day
- Off-peak: 9am to 4pm everyday
South Australia (SA Power Networks)
- Peak: 6am to 10am and 3pm to 1am every day
- Shoulder: 10am to 3pm every day
- Off-peak: 1am to 6am everyday
AGL single rate pricing
Being on a flexible pricing tariff naturally means you’ll pay different electricity rates depending on the time of day you use power.
But if you’d rather pay the same price regardless of the time of day you use energy, listed below are AGL’s current single rate electricity plans.
AGL electricty plans for NSW
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AGL | Residential Seniors Saver - New To AGL | $1,651 | $1,651 | 16% less |
AGL | Residential Smart Saver | $1,769 | $1,769 | 10% less |
AGL | Residential Netflix Plan - New To AGL | $1,791 | $1,791 | 9% less |
AGL | Residential Solar Savers - New To AGL | $1,847 | $1,847 | 6% less |
AGL electricty plans for VIC
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Energy Fact Sheet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AGL | Seniors Saver | $1,330 | $1,330 | 14% less |
AGL | AGL Residential Smart Saver | $1,392 | $1,392 | 10% less |
AGL | Netflix Plan | $1,421 | $1,421 | 8% less |
AGL | Solar Savers | $1,453 | $1,453 | 6% less |
AGL electricty plans for QLD
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AGL | Residential Seniors Saver - New To AGL | $1,972 | $1,972 | 8% less |
AGL | Residential Smart Saver | $2,036 | $2,036 | 5% less |
AGL | Residential Netflix Plan - New To AGL | $2,065 | $2,065 | 4% less |
AGL | Residential Solar Savers - New To AGL | $2,100 | $2,100 | 2% less |
AGL electricty plans for SA
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AGL | Residential Seniors Saver - New To AGL | $2,094 | $2,094 | 9% less |
AGL | Residential Smart Saver | $2,186 | $2,186 | 5% less |
AGL | Residential Solar Savers - New To AGL | $2,209 | $2,209 | 4% less |
AGL | Residential Netflix Plan - New To AGL (No Exit Fee) | $2,215 | $2,215 | 4% less |
See our comprehensive breakdown of AGL’s offers for more information, or use our energy comparison network for the most specific quotes in your area.
EnergyAustralia peak and off-peak electricity times
Here are the peak, off-peak and shoulder periods offered by EnergyAustralia on a time of use tariff in each state.
Victoria (Citipower)
- Peak: 3pm to 9pm every day
- Shoulder: Not applicable
- Off-peak: 9pm to 12am and 12am to 3pm everyday
New South Wales (Ausgrid)
In New South Wales, EnergyAustralia goes a step further and offers peak and off-peak electricity rates which differ between the summer and winter months. This is known as a seasonal time-of-use tariff.
Summer (1 Nov to 31 Mar):
- Peak: 2pm to 8pm on weekdays
- Shoulder: 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm on weekdays, 7am to 10pm weekends
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am everyday
Winter (1 Jun to 31 Aug):
- Peak: 5pm to 9pm on weekdays
- Shoulder: 7am to 5pm, 9pm to 10pm on weekdays, 7am to 10pm on weekends
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am everyday
Non Summer/Non Winter (1 Apr to 31 May and 1 Sep to 31 Oct):
- Peak: Not applicable
- Shoulder: 7am to 10 pm everyday
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am everyday
South East Queensland (Energex)
EnergyAustralia doesn’t currently offer a time of use tariff to its South East Queensland customers. It does however offer a demand tariff, which has a peak time from 4pm to 9pm.
South Australia (SA Power Networks)
- Peak: 12am to 1am, 6am to 10am and 3pm to 12am
- Shoulder: 10am to 3pm every day
- Off-peak: 1am to 6am everyday
While the times mentioned above are indicative, be aware that off-peak and peak hours can vary marginally between the different distribution networks in Victoria and New South Wales.
EnergyAustralia single rate pricing
If you’d rather pay the same price for power no matter the time of day, below we have listed EnergyAustralia’s current plans and estimated annual costs.
EnergyAustralia electricity plans in NSW
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Australia | Flexi Plan | $1,612 | $1,612 | 18% less |
Energy Australia | Rate Fix | $1,789 | $1,789 | 9% less |
Energy Australia | Solar Max | $1,965 | $1,965 | Equal to |
Energy Australia | Standing Offer (Home) | $1,965 | $1,965 | Equal to |
EnergyAustralia electricity plans in VIC
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Energy Fact Sheet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Australia | Flexi Plan - Peak Only | $1,315 | $1,315 | 15% less |
Energy Australia | Rate Fix - Peak Only | $1,423 | $1,423 | 8% less |
Energy Australia | Solar Max - Peak Only | $1,547 | $1,547 | 0% more |
Energy Australia | Standing Offer (Home) - Peak Only | $1,547 | $1,547 | 0% more |
EnergyAustralia electricity plans in QLD
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Australia | Flexi Plan | $1,929 | $1,929 | 10% less |
Energy Australia | Rate Fix | $2,036 | $2,036 | 5% less |
Energy Australia | Solar Max | $2,143 | $2,143 | Equal to |
Energy Australia | Standing Offer (Home) | $2,143 | $2,143 | Equal to |
EnergyAustralia electricity plans in SA
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Australia | Flexi Plan | $2,140 | $2,140 | 7% less |
Energy Australia | Rate Fix | $2,209 | $2,209 | 4% less |
Energy Australia | Solar Max | $2,301 | $2,301 | Equal to |
Energy Australia | Standing Offer (Home) | $2,301 | $2,301 | Equal to |
See our comprehensive breakdown of EnergyAustralia’s offers for more information, or use our energy comparison network for specific quotes in your area.
Origin peak and off-peak electricity times
Victoria (Citipower)
- Peak: 3pm to 9pm every day
- Shoulder: Not applicable
- Off-peak: 12am to 3pm and 9pm to 12am everyday
Please keep in mind that these rates are based on the defaulted two-period time of use tariff in Victoria. Origin also offers a five-day time of use tariff or flexible pricing tariff which comes with varying peak and off-peak times to those listed above.
New South Wales (Ausgrid)
1 Nov to 31 Mar:
- Peak: 2pm to 8pm on weekdays
- Shoulder: 7am to 2pm and 8pm to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 10pm on weekends
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am every day
1 Apr-31 May & 1 Sep-31 Oct:
- Peak: Not applicable
- Shoulder: 7am to 10pm every day
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am every day
1 Jun to 31 Aug:
- Peak: 5pm to 9pm on weekdays
- Shoulder: 7am to 5pm and 9pm to 10pm on weekdays, 7am to 10pm on weekends
- Off-peak: 10pm to 7am every day
Please note, the above rates refer to Origin’s seasonal time of use tariff.
South East Queensland (Energex)
- Peak: 4pm to 9pm everyday
- Shoulder: 9pm to 11am everyday
- Off-peak: 11am to 4pm everyday
South Australia (SA Power Networks)
- Peak: 6am to 10am, 4pm to 12am everyday
- Shoulder: 10am to 4pm everyday
- Off-peak: 12am to 6am everyday
Origin single rate pricing
Time of use electricity tariffs are not for everyone, so if you’d rather pay the same prices every hour of the day, below are listed Origin’s electricity plans with estimated annual costs.
Origin electricity plans in NSW
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Energy | Origin Go Variable | $1,651 | $1,651 | 16% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Everyday Rewards Variable | $1,729 | $1,729 | 12% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Go Solar Variable | $1,808 | $1,808 | 8% less |
Origin Energy | Basic | $1,966 | $1,966 | 0% more |
Origin electricity plans in VIC
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Energy Fact Sheet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Energy | Go Variable | $1,392 | $1,392 | 10% less |
Origin Energy | Everyday Rewards Variable | $1,454 | $1,454 | 6% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Go Solar Variable | $1,516 | $1,516 | 2% less |
Origin Energy | Basic | $1,547 | $1,547 | 0% more |
Origin electricity plans in QLD
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Energy | Origin Go Variable | $2,036 | $2,036 | 5% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Go Solar Variable | $2,079 | $2,079 | 3% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Everyday Rewards Variable | $2,122 | $2,122 | 1% less |
Origin Energy | Basic | $2,143 | $2,143 | Equal to |
Origin electricity plans in SA
Provider | Plan name | Est. annual cost (inc. all discounts) | Est. annual cost (ex. conditional discounts) | Reference price comparison (Basic Plan Information) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Origin Energy | Go Variable | $2,140 | $2,140 | 7% less |
Origin Energy | Basic | $2,230 | $2,230 | 3% less |
Origin Energy | Everyday Rewards Variable | $2,232 | $2,232 | 3% less |
Origin Energy | Origin Go Solar Variable | $2,232 | $2,232 | 3% less |
See our comprehensive breakdown of Origin’s offers for more information, or use our comparison tool above for a specific quote in your area.
What does ‘peak usage’ mean?
You will see the term ‘peak usage’ on electricity bills, but this can mean different things to different customers, depending on the type of energy tariff they are on.
- A single rate tariff charges the same unit price for electricity regardless of the time of day it is used. However, energy retailers still refer to these prices as ‘peak usage’. This is especially true if you are on a controlled load tariff, where an energy-intensive appliance is metered at a reduced rate.
- On a time of use tariff, ‘peak usage’ reflects the amount of energy used during electricity peak hours.
Peak usage information alongside all other cost details – including other tariffs – can be found by reading your electricity bill.
In the case of a household on a single rate tariff, the peak usage component will simply reflect all energy usage (except a controlled load, if applicable).
Customers on a time of use tariff can locate their peak usage costs next to their off-peak costs, ‘shoulder’ costs (the time between peak and off-peak hours, if applicable) and daily supply charges.
The example below is an Origin bill for a household with a time of use tariff.
Source: Origin Energy
How to check when electricity rates are peak and off-peak
If you’re not sure which tariff you’re on, check your electricity bill or contact your energy retailer.
Currently, the vast majority of Australian households are on a single rate tariff, but you should be aware of the type of plan you’re on before adjusting your electricity habits.
Customers on a single rate tariff could incorrectly think they are paying different rates for power throughout the day and therefore delaying their consumption to no benefit.
Peak and off-peak electricity rates are only applicable for Aussies signed up to a ‘time of use’ or ‘flexible pricing’ tariff. To do this, a smart meter must be installed on their property.
Electricity users will only be on a time of use tariff if they have discussed the option with their energy retailer and believe it is financially beneficial (e.g. generally using more electricity during the day or late at night, rather than the early evening).
Because there’s no guarantee that a time of use tariff is better than a single rate tariff in your situation, it’s important to consider your usage habits before switching tariff types.
Peak vs off-peak electricity times in NSW, QLD, VIC and SA
Customers in New South Wales, South East Queensland, Victoria and South Australia will generally have different peak, off-peak and shoulder times, even from the same energy provider.
If you are interested in learning more, you can find more information on your energy provider’s website.
Should I use peak and off-peak electricity rates?
Peak and off-peak electricity rates can be beneficial for some households, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario.
It is likely not the best move for Aussies who disproportionately use lots of power in the early evening. To save money, it’s best to reduce energy usage as much as possible during peak hours.
Single rate tariff users won’t need to worry about what time of day to use power, as the tariff will remain unchanged.
For customers who use a large portion of power during the day or in the late evening, and/or have a solar battery with rooftop solar panels, having cheaper rates during off-peak and shoulder periods may be cost-effective.
Keep in mind that to be charged different rates at peak and off-peak times, the property must have a smart meter installed and be signed up for a time of use or flexible pricing tariff.
Whatever the type of tariff, it’s always a smart move to regularly compare providers, plans and prices to avoid paying too much.
If you haven’t compared energy providers recently, head to our free comparison tool by clicking the link below.
