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From 1 October 2021, the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) introduced new reforms to make it easier for ACT customers to compare and identify the best electricity offers in market for their needs as simply and easily as possible.
We’ve outlined these changes below but it’s worth noting that there could be more to come. We’ll keep you updated as new changes come about.
Reference Pricing
From 1 October 2021, energy companies are required to make a reference price comparison for ACT residential, small business and embedded network customers on a certain rate type. The reference price is set annually by the ACT Government.
Here are the rate types currently compared to the reference price:
| Residential electricity customers | Flat with or without controlled load rates Time of use rates with or without controlled load |
| Business electricity customers (uses less than 100 MWh per year) | Flat rate |
| Embedded network customers | If an embedded network is operated by an energy retailer, a reference price applies to residential or business customers on the rate types noted above. |
The ACT Government introduced a reference price to make it easier for electricity customers to compare energy plans between different retailers.
It’s intended as a safety net for customers who don’t have the time or access to compare market offers provided by electricity retailers. It also ensures that customers who can’t or don’t want to engage with their energy retailer will pay lower energy costs.
The reference price is set annually by the ACT Government. This reference price is used to compare an energy retailer’s advertised offer.
The reference price was introduced to make it easier for customers to make ‘apples with apples’ comparisons between different energy retailer offers for electricity where discounts are included.
| Residential | Small business | |
| Usage Price | Usage Price | |
| Flat Tariff | 6,100 $2,432 | 10,000 $4,711 |
| Flat Tariff with controlled load 1 | 8,800 $3,018 | |
| Flat Tariff with controlled load 2 | 8,800 $3,018 | |
| Flat Tariff with controlled load 1 & 2 | 8,800 $3,018 | |
| Time of Use | 6,100 $2,432 |
Usage is kWh per year and all prices include GST.
For example, here’s a flat Tariff electricity offer in the ACT:
Lowest possible price for an average household in the Evoenergy area (that is, all of ACT), based on a residential flat rate. This is an example, showing a comparison to the current Reference Price. Your actual cost will depend on your actual usage over the year and the plan you’re on.
| EnergyAustralia’s plan offer | $2,457 |
| Reference price (annual cost) | $2,432 |
This means EnergyAustralia’s Flat Tariff offer is 1% more than the reference price for annual electricity usage for an average household in the ACT.
Electricity plans are now easy to compare – just look at the percentage difference from the reference price. The bigger the discount off the reference price, the better the deal for you.
Your energy distributor is the company responsible for the poles, wires and gas pipes in your area.
Evoenergy is the only energy distributor that operates in the ACT.
It’s a tariff where you’re charged the same rate for electricity throughout the day and night. There is no distinction made between peak and off-peak periods like time of use tariffs.
A flat rate tariff is usually lower than peak but higher than off peak and shoulder rates.
With time of use, different usage rates are charged for the electricity you use at different times: off peak, shoulder and peak. For some customers time of use rates can also include a demand charge.
- Off peak – charged when the electricity network has low usage, such as overnight or during times with high solar export.
- Shoulder – a usage rate that sits between peak and off-peak times. Shoulder rates are usually a bit cheaper than peak rates and are available in most states. Shoulder times can be a period during the day on weekdays or weekends. These times may differ between states.
- Peak – charged when the electricity network has high usage, such as in the evening.
Demand tariffs – encourages less electricity usage during peak times
Demand tariffs, or demand charges, are billed based on your highest demand for electricity in kilowatts (kW) during a 30 minute interval set by the electricity distributor in your area.
They’ve been designed to encourage less electricity use during peak demand times when there’s more pressure on the grid. Demand pricing is available if you’re eligible and have a smart meter.
Controlled load electricity refers to electricity being used by a stand-alone item, like an electric hot water service, electric slab heating and irrigation pumps. Controlled loads are recorded by a separate meter and can be billed as an off-peak rate.
This is a type of electricity infrastructure generally managed by the building owner. A person living in an apartment complex, retirement home, caravan park or tenant in a shopping centre may be receiving their electricity via an embedded network.
The reference price only applies to embedded networks that are operated by an energy retailer. Currently EnergyAustralia doesn’t operate any embedded networks in the ACT.
No, the reference price doesn’t apply to gas.
In New South Wales, South Australia and south east Queensland, it’s called the Default Market Offer. Find out more about these changes.
In Victoria, it’s called the Victoria Default Offer. Find out more about these changes.
See our home and business plans to check that you’re on the best plan for your needs or go to My Account for more personalised plan offers.
We have a range to suit everyone, whether you’re looking for great rates, flexibility or price certainty.
Did you know?
If you haven’t registered for My Account it only takes a couple of minutes to set up. All you’ll need is your account number to get started. Then you can easily manage your energy accounts - update your details and energy plans, view and pay your bills, and more.
If you’re not sure what plan you’re on now, go to the Plan summary section on page 2 of your home or business bill.
Better offer message
Best offer messages on bill for NSW, ACT, SA and QLD customers
From 30 September 2023, all energy retailers in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Queensland will see a best offer message on the front of their electricity and gas bills. For electricity customers in the Australian Capital Territory, the current best offer message will change to the new possible messages below. These will also start to appear on gas bills.
