AGL vs Origin vs EnergyAustralia: who is cheaper?
None of the three is cheaper everywhere. Comparing each retailer's lowest-priced single-rate plan at standard usage on 10 October 2026, EnergyAustralia was the lowest of the three in all five NSW, south-east Queensland and SA zones, AGL was lowest in three of Victoria's five zones and level with EnergyAustralia in the other two, and Origin was not the lowest anywhere.
Two things can change that for your home: EnergyAustralia's lower price comes from a guaranteed discount that lasts 12 months, and your own usage, tariff and solar exports weigh the rates differently from the standard household. The table below shows every zone, then how we compared the plans and what to check before you switch.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Who is cheaper in each network zone
Yearly cost of each retailer's lowest-priced single-rate plan at the zone's standard usage, with its percentage against the reference price (the DMO, or the VDO in Victoria):
| Network zone | Reference price | AGL | Origin | EnergyAustralia | Lowest of the three |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ausgrid (NSW) | $1,899 (DMO, 3,900 kWh) | $1,709 (10% below) | $1,709 (10% below) | $1,671 (12% below) | EnergyAustralia |
| Endeavour Energy (NSW) | $2,328 (DMO, 4,900 kWh) | $2,095 (10% below) | $2,142 (8% below) | $2,049 (12% below) | EnergyAustralia |
| Essential Energy (NSW) | $2,604 (DMO, 4,600 kWh) | $2,447 (6% below) | $2,396 (8% below) | $2,291 (12% below) | EnergyAustralia |
| Energex (south-east Qld) | $1,988 (DMO, 4,600 kWh) | $1,888 (5% below) | $1,908 (4% below) | $1,789 (10% below) | EnergyAustralia |
| SA Power Networks (SA) | $2,334 (DMO, 4,000 kWh) | $2,217 (5% below) | $2,217 (5% below) | $2,170 (7% below) | EnergyAustralia |
| CitiPower (Vic) | $1,481 (VDO, 4,000 kWh) | $1,273 (14% below) | $1,377 (7% below) | $1,332 (10% below) | AGL |
| Powercor (Vic) | $1,633 (VDO, 4,000 kWh) | $1,404 (14% below) | $1,518 (7% below) | $1,469 (10% below) | AGL |
| Jemena (Vic) | $1,563 (VDO, 4,000 kWh) | $1,407 (10% below) | $1,453 (7% below) | $1,407 (10% below) | AGL and EnergyAustralia (equal) |
| United Energy (Vic) | $1,529 (VDO, 4,000 kWh) | $1,315 (14% below) | $1,422 (7% below) | $1,376 (10% below) | AGL |
| AusNet Services (Vic) | $1,748 (VDO, 4,000 kWh) | $1,573 (10% below) | $1,625 (7% below) | $1,573 (10% below) | AGL and EnergyAustralia (equal) |
How we compared them
The method, so you can check it:
- Plans: each retailer's lowest-priced generally available single-rate residential plan in each DMO and VDO zone, from the plan data retailers must publish to Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare, retrieved 10 October 2026.
- Price: the supply charge for 365 days plus usage at the zone's standard usage, the way the AER and ESC price the DMO and VDO, including GST and guaranteed discounts.
- Left out: conditional discounts, one-off sign-up credits and vouchers, fees, and plans limited to seniors, members, partner or broker channels, solar owners or existing customers.
- Each retailer's profile lists the plan, its rates and plan ID in every zone: AGL, Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia.
- We re-check the table monthly. Since 1 July 2026 national rules stop retailers raising a market plan's prices more than once a year, but plans can be cut, launched or withdrawn at any time.
What can change the answer for your home
This compares one plan type at one level of usage. Before you switch, check:
- EnergyAustralia's discount ends. Its Flexi Plan charges the same rates as its standing offer and comes in below the DMO through a 12% (NSW), 10% (south-east Queensland) or 7% (SA) guaranteed discount with a 12-month benefit period; its Victorian Home 365 plan has a 10% discount on a 12-month contract. AGL's and Origin's lowest plans have no discount to lose. Check what EnergyAustralia offers when the period ends.
- Your usage. A lower supply charge favours light users; a lower usage rate favours heavy users. Run your own yearly kWh from a bill through Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare.
- Time of use, controlled load and solar. Plans with a peak rate, a hot water circuit or a feed-in tariff can rank differently from the single-rate plans here.
- Gas. If you buy gas too, price a dual fuel deal against the best electricity and gas plans bought separately.
Are AGL and Origin the same company?
No. AGL Energy Limited and Origin Energy Limited are separate companies, each listed on the ASX, and the AER counts both, with EnergyAustralia, as Tier 1 retailers. EnergyAustralia is owned by Hong Kong's CLP Group. Each retailer's profile covers its ownership, customer numbers, complaints and regulator record.
What to watch for
- A discount with a 12-month benefit period; note when it ends.
- The percentage against the reference price is only meaningful for your own zone.
- Sign-up credits and vouchers are one-off; compare the ongoing rates.
- Smaller retailers are not in this table and may be cheaper; the government comparators list every plan.
Common questions
Who is cheaper, AGL or EnergyAustralia?
It depends on where you live. On 10 October 2026, at standard usage, EnergyAustralia's lowest-priced single-rate plan was cheaper than AGL's in all five NSW, south-east Queensland and SA zones, while AGL's was cheaper in three Victorian zones and level in the other two. EnergyAustralia's price relies on a guaranteed discount that lasts 12 months.
Which is cheaper, AGL or Origin?
On 10 October 2026, at standard usage, AGL's lowest-priced single-rate plan was cheaper than Origin's in seven of the ten DMO and VDO zones, Origin's was cheaper in the Essential Energy zone of regional NSW, and they were level in the Ausgrid and SA Power Networks zones.
Are AGL and Origin the same company?
No. AGL Energy and Origin Energy are separate ASX-listed companies that compete with each other.
Which is better, AGL or Red Energy?
We don't rate retailers. Compare the plans each sells at your address on the government comparators, and their complaints records in our AGL and Red Energy profiles, which come from the AER's data.
Who is the cheapest electricity provider in Australia?
No retailer is cheapest everywhere. Prices are set zone by zone, so rank plans by how far below your zone's reference price they are, then check the best few with your own usage on Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare.
No verdict, just the numbers
We have no commercial arrangement with AGL, Origin or EnergyAustralia. The table ranks one plan type on price at one level of usage on one date; it is not a rating of the retailers.
