Energy consumers in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory will now find it easier to compare and find energy plans using the updated Energy Made Easy website.
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which operates the free and independent comparison site, has improved the website experience for consumers who will now be asked a few simple questions to match them with the best plans, making it easier to filter results for special offers and discounts.
There are now three ways for consumers to use the site to find and compare energy plans:
- Using their National Meter Identifier number (found on their energy bill) for personalised plan comparison.
- Choosing the 30-second Quick Compare journey.
- Manually inputting information from their energy bill if preferred.
AER Chair Ms Clare Savage said that with many customers on old or uncompetitive plans able to save from $120 - $221 a year off the default market offer price it is especially important that customers shop around to ensure they are on the best energy plan for their individual circumstances.
“The AER’s Energy Made Easy website is designed to make it easier for all consumers to take control of their power bills by helping them compare and find an energy plan to suit their needs.
“The site updates help customers with pop-ups and tips to answer all their energy plan questions, and have been informed by a review by the Australian Government’s Behavioural Economics Team and research into customer behaviour when comparing energy plans, including thousands of survey responses.
“Customers looking to save extra money can now see discount offers highlighted when comparing plans, and Centrelink customers can apply a filter to view plans that offer Centrepay if they choose to use this service,” Ms Savage said.
More than 1.4 million Australians have visited Energy Made Easy since higher default market offer prices came into effect on 1 July 2023, and over 700,000 have completed an energy plan search to compare retailers’ offers.
New South Wales residents (419,411) topped the list of Australians completing an energy plan search on Energy Made Easy, followed by Queensland (149,302) and South Australia (78,227).
In addition to the above features, Energy Made Easy includes an updated layout with graphics and simple questions and answers to guide consumers through the energy plan comparison process.
What can I do to make sure I’m on the best electricity offer?
- Review your energy bill to find out what plan you’re on.
- Contact your retailer and ask if they have a better offer.
- Compare energy plans from different electricity companies by visiting Energy Made Easy at www.energymadeeasy.gov.au
Notes to Editors
Energy Made Easy
The AER first launched the free and independent Energy Made Easy tool in 2012.
It provides a retail price comparator and other information for energy consumers and helps households understand their electricity usage and compare it to other households of a similar size in their area.
Energy savings
Consumers in areas covered by the AER’s default market offer could save from $120 - $221 a year, depending on the region, by switching from a standard offer to the median market offer.
The default market offer (often referred to as the ‘reference price’) is a maximum price that retailers can charge electricity consumers on default contracts know as standing offer contracts, and applies to small business and residential customers in South Australia, New South Wales and south-east Queensland.