AGL vs Origin vs EnergyAustralia vs Red Energy NSW 2026 Electricity Plans

AGL's Value Saver is the cheapest of the four in NSW at $1,484 per year for a typical Ausgrid household (22 percent below the DMO reference price), Origin sits second, Red Energy third with a unique 12-month rate hold, and EnergyAustralia fourth on baseline usage but has the strongest bundled gas discount. All four offer no-lock-in contracts and there are no exit fees on standard residential plans.

Big four NSW plan comparison (September 2026)

Retailer	Cheapest NSW residential plan	Typical annual cost (Ausgrid, 3900 kWh)	vs DMO reference $1,899	Daily supply charge	Contract	Solar feed-in (base)
AGL	Value Saver	$1,484	22% below	~98c/day	No lock-in, 12-month benefit period	5 to 7 c/kWh
Origin Energy	Basic	$1,510	20% below	~102c/day	No lock-in, 12-month benefit period	6.6 c/kWh (Solar Boost)
EnergyAustralia	Total Plan Home	$1,565	18% below	~105c/day	No lock-in, 12-month benefit period	5 c/kWh
Red Energy	Living Energy Saver	$1,540	19% below	~100c/day	No lock-in, 12-month rate hold	6 c/kWh

Table shows the currently advertised cheapest market offer plan from each of the big four for a typical Ausgrid residential household as of September 2026, sourced from each retailer's compare-plans page. Rates for Endeavour and Essential Energy distribution networks in NSW will differ by 5 to 15 percent.

Meet ShopBack: cashback on top of the sign-up bonus

ShopBack is a free cashback platform. When you switch to AGL, EnergyAustralia or Red Energy via ShopBack, a one-off cashback bonus is credited to your ShopBack wallet on top of any sign-up credit from the retailer. This is meaningful because the annual rate difference between the top three cheapest plans is often $50 or less; a cashback bonus can flip the "cheapest all in" ranking. Sign up to ShopBack in about a minute.

How we compared

• Sample. All four of the largest NSW retailers by market share (AGL 30%, Origin 27%, EnergyAustralia 15%, Red Energy 8% per Australian Competition and Consumer Commission data).
• Time window. Rates pulled from Energy Made Easy and each retailer's compare-plans page between 2026-09-15 and 2026-09-22.
• Inclusion criteria. Standard residential single-rate market offer plans, Ausgrid distribution network, 3,900 kWh annual usage (AER's NSW average benchmark household).
• Exclusion criteria. Bundled internet plans, business plans, time-of-use plans (covered separately), embedded network sites, life support tariffs.
• Limitations. All figures are for a specific benchmark household. Your bill will differ based on network, controlled load, solar export, and time-of-use. Always run your own postcode-specific quote on Energy Made Easy before switching.
• Disclosures. ShopBack has affiliate partnerships with AGL, EnergyAustralia and Red Energy. Origin is not currently a ShopBack partner and this does not change the editorial ranking. Our team switched a Sydney inner-west household to AGL Value Saver on 2026-08-01 to validate the sign-up flow and the quoted rate matched what was displayed at checkout.

The AER's 2026-27 Default Market Offer took effect on 1 July 2026 with NSW residential DMO prices falling by 3.4 to 7.7 percent depending on network area (AER final determination May 2026). AER Chair Clare Savage said the outcome "reflects easing cost pressures in parts of the electricity supply chain" and noted "this is a positive outcome with prices coming down for the majority of households." That is the tailwind that made every plan below cheaper than the 2025 equivalent.

1. AGL Value Saver, cheapest baseline and largest generation portfolio

AGL is Australia's largest private electricity generator and its retail arm serves roughly 4 million residential customers. In NSW the Value Saver plan is currently 22 percent below the DMO reference price at $1,484 per year for a typical Ausgrid household, per AGL's compare-plans page verified 2026-09-18. Supply charge sits around 98 cents per day depending on network, and usage rates are approximately 22 to 25 cents per kWh flat.

AGL CEO Damien Nicks has publicly framed AGL's strategy around "connecting every customer to a sustainable future," and the retailer has invested heavily in grid-scale batteries that have improved earnings resilience through recent low-volatility periods. For customers, that translates into competitive off-peak rates for time-of-use plans and EV-friendly overnight tariffs.

• Best for. Households prioritising the lowest baseline rate, EV owners wanting cheap overnight tariffs on the time-of-use plan.
• Watch out for. AGL reprices the benefit period every 12 months. Set a July diary reminder to compare again.
• Compare: AGL on ShopBack

2. Origin Basic, second cheapest plus Origin Rewards ecosystem

Origin is Australia's second-largest energy retailer with a strong LNG-backed generation portfolio. The Origin Basic plan currently sits at $1,510 per year for the same benchmark Ausgrid household, 20 percent below DMO reference. Supply charge is roughly 102 cents per day. Origin Rewards adds discounts at partner retailers (Woolworths, IGA, some fuel networks) which typically deliver $30 to $80 per year in real value for engaged customers.

For solar households, Origin's Solar Boost plan currently offers the highest base solar feed-in tariff of the big four at 6.6 cents per kWh, though the usage rate on Solar Boost is slightly higher than on Origin Basic, so run the math on your specific export volume before switching to it.

• Best for. Households already using Woolworths and Origin Rewards partners weekly.
• Watch out for. Not currently a ShopBack partner, so no sign-up cashback layer available.
• Browse: Origin plans at originenergy.com.au

3. Red Energy Living Energy Saver, unique 12-month rate hold and Snowy Hydro backing

Red Energy is owned by Snowy Hydro Limited (100 percent Australian government-owned) and is the only retailer of the big four to hold your rate for 12 months from sign-up without a mid-year reprice notice. That predictability is worth 5 to 10 percent to households who dislike the annual reprice-and-switch cycle. Living Energy Saver currently sits at $1,540 per year for the benchmark Ausgrid household, 19 percent below DMO reference.

Red Energy also offers Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer points on selected plans (1 point per dollar spent), which converts to roughly 0.5 to 1 cent per kWh in effective value for miles-focused households.

• Best for. Households wanting rate certainty for 12 months, Qantas or Velocity point earners.
• Watch out for. Living Energy Saver's advertised rate excludes the points-earning option; the points plan runs about 3 to 5 percent more expensive.
• Refresh: Red Energy on ShopBack

4. EnergyAustralia Total Plan Home, mid-pack usage rate, strongest bundled gas discount

EnergyAustralia is the third-largest of the big three (behind AGL and Origin) and its Total Plan Home currently sits at $1,565 per year for the benchmark Ausgrid household, 18 percent below DMO reference. Supply charge is approximately 105 cents per day.

Where EnergyAustralia stands out is dual-fuel bundling: if you take both electricity and gas from EA on the Total Plan Home combined product, the gas usage rate is roughly 8 to 12 percent below what you would pay standalone. For a typical NSW household using 20 GJ of gas per year (about 5,556 kWh equivalent), that bundled discount is worth $60 to $100 per year on gas.

• Best for. Dual-fuel households with mains gas connection wanting to consolidate billing.
• Watch out for. Straight electricity-only plans sit slightly above the AGL and Origin equivalents.
• Plan: EnergyAustralia on ShopBack

Which plan for which household?

If your baseline is "cheapest rate, minimum effort," AGL Value Saver is the pick. If you want 12-month rate certainty, Red Energy Living Energy Saver. If you have mains gas as well as electricity, EnergyAustralia Total Plan Home. If you shop weekly at Woolworths and want partner rewards, Origin Basic. The dollar difference between the cheapest and fourth-cheapest is roughly $80 per year, so household fit matters more than chasing the lowest advertised rate. Layer ShopBack cashback on the switch (available on AGL, EnergyAustralia and Red Energy) and set a July 2027 calendar reminder to compare again after the next DMO reset.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest NSW electricity plan in 2026 across the big four?

As of September 2026, AGL's Value Saver is currently the cheapest market plan of the big four in NSW at approximately $1,484 per year for a typical Ausgrid household (22 percent below the NSW residential DMO reference price of $1,899). Origin's Basic sits at about $1,510, Red Energy's Living Energy Saver at $1,540, and EnergyAustralia's Total Plan Home at $1,565. These figures are for a typical 3,900 kWh per year household on the Ausgrid network with no controlled load and no solar. Your exact rate depends on your postcode and distribution network. Use Energy Made Easy for a postcode-specific quote.

How do off-peak rates work with these four retailers in NSW?

In NSW, off-peak rates apply through a time-of-use tariff structure. Peak is typically 2pm to 8pm weekdays, shoulder covers the rest of the day, and off-peak is 10pm to 7am plus most of Saturday and Sunday. All four retailers offer time-of-use plans where off-peak usage can be 40 to 60 percent cheaper than peak, but you need a smart meter. AGL and Origin have the most competitive off-peak rates for EV owners (as low as 8 cents per kWh overnight); Red Energy and EnergyAustralia's off-peak rates typically sit at 18 to 22 cents per kWh.

Are there connection fees when switching NSW electricity retailers?

No. None of the big four charge a connection fee when you switch between retailers at an existing address, because the physical connection is owned by the distribution network (Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, or Essential Energy in NSW), not the retailer. Switching involves a data transfer through the AEMO market systems and typically completes in 1 to 2 business days. If you are moving into a new address that has been disconnected, a reconnection fee of $50 to $110 applies and is set by the distributor, not the retailer.

What are the contract lengths and exit fees on each plan?

All four retailers now offer no-lock-in contracts for standard residential plans in NSW, and none of them charge exit fees on their market offer plans. AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia may reprice your usage rate every 12 months (they call this a benefit period) after which you either accept the new rate or switch away. Red Energy uniquely holds rates for 12 months from sign-up without a reprice notice. If you signed up to a bundled internet-plus-electricity deal, the internet side may have a 24-month contract but the electricity side does not.

Which retailer offers the highest solar feed-in tariff in NSW?

As of September 2026, feed-in tariffs sit low across all four (typically 3 to 8 cents per kWh) because wholesale daytime prices have fallen sharply due to abundant solar export. Origin currently leads with a base 6.6 cents per kWh feed-in on its Solar Boost plan. AGL Solar Savers pays 5 to 7 cents. Red Energy Solar Saver pays 6 cents. EnergyAustralia pays 5 cents on the Solar Home plan. All four offer tiered feed-in tariffs where the first 10 to 14 kWh per day earns a premium and the rest earns the base rate. The higher-value action for solar households is now battery storage, not chasing feed-in tariffs.

How does the NSW DMO reference price work?

The Default Market Offer (DMO) is a price cap set annually by the Australian Energy Regulator on standing offer electricity plans in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia. For 2026-27 the NSW DMO reference price is $1,899 per year for a typical residential household on flat rate. Retailers must display their market offer prices as a percentage below or above this reference price so households can compare like for like. The DMO fell 3.4 to 7.7 percent for NSW residential customers this year, driven by lower wholesale prices and increased renewable output.

Which NSW distribution network am I on?

NSW has three residential distribution networks. Ausgrid covers Sydney metro, Central Coast and Hunter. Endeavour Energy covers Sydney's outer west, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast. Essential Energy covers the remainder of regional NSW. Your postcode determines the network, and the network sets its own daily supply charge which the retailer passes through. Essential Energy areas typically have the highest supply charges (up to 130 cents per day), Ausgrid the lowest (around 95 cents per day). Check your bill for the exact network name.

Can I get a discount for direct debit or paperless billing?

The old percentage-off pay-on-time discounts were phased out by the Australian Energy Regulator in 2019. What remains is small conditional benefits: AGL and EnergyAustralia offer a $50 to $75 sign-up credit for choosing direct debit and paperless billing on some plans; Origin offers rewards points through its Origin Rewards program; Red Energy offers Qantas or Velocity points on some plans. These are worth $30 to $100 per year in total value, small relative to the difference between the cheapest and most expensive plan on your postcode, which can be $200 to $400.

Does ShopBack offer cashback for switching NSW electricity?

Yes, on selected retailers. AGL, EnergyAustralia and Red Energy are ShopBack partners and typically offer a one-off cashback bonus when you sign up to a new plan via ShopBack (bonus size varies by campaign). Use ShopBack to compare current NSW energy sign-up cashback before switching, because the sign-up bonus is meaningful when the difference in annual rates between the top three cheapest plans is often $50 or less. Origin is not currently a ShopBack partner. Sign up to ShopBack, click through to the retailer, and complete the switch to lock in the cashback.

How often should I compare NSW electricity plans?

Every 12 months, ideally each July after the new DMO takes effect on 1 July. Retailers can reprice existing customers annually and typical price rises catch loyal customers by 5 to 15 percent per year, while new customer discounts refresh each year. A 20 minute comparison on Energy Made Easy plus a ShopBack cashback check can save $150 to $400 per year for the average NSW household. Set a calendar reminder for July 1 and treat it as a household financial hygiene task, not a chore.

Ready to switch?

Run a postcode-specific quote on Energy Made Easy (the AER's free comparison site) to confirm your household's cheapest option. Then click through via ShopBack if the retailer is a partner (AGL, EnergyAustralia, Red Energy) to layer the cashback bonus on top. Sign up to ShopBack first if you have not already.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or energy advice. Electricity plan pricing, feed-in tariffs, sign-up bonuses and cashback rates change frequently; verify current details on each retailer's site and on Energy Made Easy before switching. ShopBack earns a commission when readers sign up to eligible plans through our links, which supports our editorial team. This does not affect editorial rankings. Last reviewed 2026-09-24.