Electricity tariff types compared
How the main residential tariff structures work in Australia, who they suit and what to watch for.
Your plan's tariff structure often matters as much as the headline price. This table compares the main structures you will see on Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare. It compares how each works, not any retailer's prices. Whether a structure suits you depends on when you use power, your meter, and whether you have solar, a battery, an electric vehicle or a controlled load hot water system.
Select a column header to sort.
| Tariff or offer type | How it works | Often suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat (single) rate | One usage rate for every kWh, plus a daily supply charge | Households that use power evenly or cannot shift usage | Some networks assign a time-of-use network tariff once a smart meter is installed; check what your retailer offers |
| Time-of-use | Different rates for peak, shoulder and off-peak periods set by the plan | Households that run laundry, dishwashers, hot water or EV charging outside the evening peak | Peak rates are usually well above a flat rate; heavy 4–9 pm use can make the bill higher |
| Demand tariff | Usage rates plus a charge based on your highest kW demand in a set window | Households that can avoid running several big appliances at once during the demand window | One hot afternoon with air conditioning, oven and dryer running together can set the demand charge for the month |
| Controlled load | A separately metered circuit (often hot water) supplied at set times at a lower rate | Electric storage hot water, slab or pool heating | Supply windows are set by the network; heat pumps and solar diverters may suit a different arrangement |
| Standing offer (DMO / VDO capped) | Default contract with prices capped by the DMO (NSW, SE Qld, SA) or the VDO (Vic) | Safety net if you have never chosen a plan | Usually not the cheapest option; many market offers are priced below the reference price |
| Market offer | Plan set by the retailer, compared against the reference price | Most households after a usage-based comparison | Conditional discounts and benefit periods; prices can change with notice unless fixed |
| Solar Sharer Offer (DMO regions) / Midday Power Saver (Vic) | Regulated opt-in plan with three free hours in the middle of the day and time-of-use rates otherwise | Smart-meter households able to move heavy loads into the free window, with or without solar | Peak and other rates may be higher than on other plans; supply charges and controlled load still billed |
| Solar feed-in tariff | Credit per kWh you export, flat or time-varying | Households with rooftop solar | Feed-in rates are retailer-set and often low; a high feed-in rate can come with higher usage rates |
Tariff availability depends on your distribution network, meter and state. Check plan details in the Basic Plan Information Document (Energy Made Easy regions) or Energy Fact Sheet (Victoria). Official sources: Energy Made Easy, Victorian Energy Compare, Australian Energy Regulator and Essential Services Commission. See the time-of-use and demand tariff guide for worked numbers.