What makes up an electricity or gas bill, how the DMO and VDO reference prices work, and the tariff and solar rules that apply in 2026–27.
Every household energy bill in Australia is built from the same few parts: a daily supply charge, one or more usage rates, sometimes a demand charge or controlled load rate, and credits such as a solar feed-in tariff. What differs is how your retailer combines them and which rules cap or shape them in your state.
This section explains those building blocks and the official benchmarks that sit behind them. The Default Market Offer (DMO) set by the Australian Energy Regulator applies in New South Wales, South East Queensland and South Australia; the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) set by the Essential Services Commission applies in Victoria. Both cap standing offer prices and act as the reference price that advertised market offers are compared against. Other regions, such as regional Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, have their own arrangements.
Start with the overview of how bills are priced, then read the guides on the reference prices, tariff types, solar exports and the new free-midday-power offers. Figures quoted from official decisions name their source and year; plan prices used in examples are illustrative only.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
What a controlled load (off-peak) tariff is, how it appears on your bill, when it saves money, and what changes with heat pumps, solar and free midday power.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
The AER's DMO 8 for 2026–27 explained — regions covered, how prices moved in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia, what the cap applies to and how to use it.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
Supply charges, usage rates, tariff types, the DMO and VDO reference prices and gas pricing explained, with the 2026–27 changes and links to every detailed guide.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
What the reference price percentage on Australian electricity offers means, how it is calculated against the DMO or VDO, and why your own usage can change the answer.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
How solar feed-in tariffs are set in each state in 2026, why Victoria no longer has a minimum, flat versus time-varying rates and why self-consumption usually matters more.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
How the Solar Sharer Offer (from 1 July 2026 in NSW, SE Qld and SA) and Victoria's Midday Power Saver (from 1 October 2026) work, who can get them and how to test if they suit you.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
How time-of-use and demand electricity tariffs are billed, how smart meters affect your tariff, and how to tell whether these structures will raise or lower your bill.
Price Factors, Tariffs and 2026 Rules
The ESC's VDO for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 explained — the typical bill change, the five distribution zones, the solar soak period and how to compare offers.
