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Queensland has two electricity markets. In south-east Queensland, the Energex network area covering Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, you can choose from many retailers, and the Default Market Offer for 2026–27 is $1,988 a year for a residential flat-rate customer using 4,600 kWh, 7.2% lower than last year. In the rest of the state, Ergon Energy Retail supplies effectively every home at 'notified prices' set by the Queensland Competition Authority, which fell about 6.9% for a typical household on 1 July 2026.
So whether comparing plans is worth your time depends on your postcode. In the south-east it is where the savings are. In regional Queensland the real choices are your tariff, including the new free-midday option, and making sure you receive the Electricity Rebate if you are eligible.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Energex distributes electricity across south-east Queensland, and dozens of retailers sell there. The Australian Energy Regulator's DMO caps standing offer prices and is the reference retailers must compare their plans against in advertising. For 2026–27 the residential DMO in the Energex zone is $1,988 a year on a flat rate and $1,914 on time of use, both for 4,600 kWh. About 10% of SEQ households were on a standing offer when the prices were set.
Since 1 July 2026 retailers with more than 1,000 customers must also offer the Solar Sharer plan in SEQ: free electricity from 11am to 2pm each day, up to 24 kWh, for households with a smart meter.
Outside the south-east, the Ergon network carries the power and Ergon Energy Retail is effectively the only retailer for homes; the AER counts it as serving all regional residential customers. Prices are set by the QCA under the state's uniform tariff policy, which keeps regional prices in line with the south-east even though supply costs more. The Queensland Government pays Ergon the difference.
For 2026–27 the QCA's final determination cut the typical bill on tariff 11, the main residential flat rate, by around 6.9%, largely because notified prices are capped by the SEQ DMO. The QCA has also introduced a regional Solar Sharer tariff with free usage from 11am to 2pm.
| South-east Queensland | Regional Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Energex | Ergon Energy (and Essential Energy in parts of the south) |
| Retail choice | Many retailers | Ergon Energy Retail for effectively all homes |
| Price safety net | Default Market Offer (AER) | Notified prices (QCA) |
| 2026–27 change for a typical household | −7.2% (flat-rate DMO) | About −6.9% (tariff 11) |
| Solar feed-in tariff | Set by each retailer | 6.006 c/kWh, set by the QCA |
| Free-midday plan | Solar Sharer Offer, 11am–2pm | Regional Solar Sharer tariff, 11am–2pm |
Queensland pensioners, veterans and seniors can receive the Electricity Rebate of $399.47 a year and the Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate of $96.45 a year (both including GST). Eligible cards include the Queensland Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card (electricity rebate only) and the Veteran Gold Card; Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for the electricity rebate. Ask your retailer to apply it, and give your card details again if you switch. The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme can help with a one-off crisis.
In regional Queensland the QCA sets a flat feed-in tariff that Ergon pays. For 2026–27 it is 6.006 c/kWh, 31% lower than the 8.660 c/kWh paid in 2025–26, reflecting lower energy costs and better data on when solar is exported.
In south-east Queensland there is no regulated feed-in tariff; each retailer sets its own, and some pay more in the late afternoon and evening. Weigh a plan's feed-in rate against its usage rates rather than chasing the highest number.
Queensland is under the National Energy Retail Law. Since 1 July 2026 retailers can raise your prices no more than once a year and must offer a fee-free way to pay. If a complaint to your retailer is not resolved, the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland handles it for free.
In south-east Queensland it depends on your usage and the plans on offer when you compare; rank them by how far below the Energex DMO they are. In regional Queensland, Ergon Energy Retail supplies effectively all homes at QCA-set prices, so the choice is between Ergon's tariffs rather than retailers.
Contact your electricity retailer with your eligible concession card details. The Electricity Rebate is $399.47 a year (including GST) for eligible pensioners, seniors, veterans and Health Care Card holders, and is credited on your bills.
The $1,000 Cost of Living Rebate was a 2024–25 measure. The current ongoing support is the Electricity Rebate of $399.47 a year for eligible card holders. The federal Energy Bill Relief Fund ended on 31 December 2025.
In law, yes, but in practice Ergon Energy Retail is the only retailer supplying homes outside south-east Queensland; the AER counts it as serving all regional residential customers. Its notified prices are set below the cost of supply under the uniform tariff policy, with the Queensland Government paying the difference.
6.006 c/kWh, set by the Queensland Competition Authority and paid by Ergon Energy Retail from 1 July 2026. It was 8.660 c/kWh in 2025–26.
Neither is cheaper for every household. Both sell a range of plans in south-east Queensland, so compare the specific plans available for your postcode and usage, and check each against the Energex DMO.
Energy Made Easy lists every generally available plan in Queensland. In regional areas it will mainly show Ergon Energy Retail's tariffs.
Retailers we have profiled that sell to households in Queensland. This is not the full list of retailers licensed there; the government comparator shows every generally available offer.
