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South Australia has a competitive electricity market on a single network, SA Power Networks, so one Default Market Offer covers the whole state. For 2026–27 the residential flat-rate DMO is $2,334 a year for 4,000 kWh, 1.4% higher than in 2025–26. It was the only DMO zone in the country where the flat-rate reference price rose this year; the time-of-use DMO fell 1.1% to $2,276.
This page covers how the market works, the concession available, the state's approach to feed-in tariffs and the Solar Sharer plan, which in SA gives free power from 12pm to 3pm.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
The Australian Energy Regulator sets the DMO for SA each year. It caps standing offer prices and is the reference retailers must use when advertising other plans. About 8% of SA households were on a standing offer when the 2026–27 prices were set.
| Customer and tariff | Annual price | Usage assumed | Change on 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, flat rate | $2,334 | 4,000 kWh | +$33 (+1.4%) |
| Residential, time of use | $2,276 | 4,000 kWh | −$25 (−1.1%) |
| Residential, Solar Sharer Offer | $2,276 | 4,000 kWh | New in 2026–27 |
| Small business, flat rate | $5,162 | 10,000 kWh | −$379 (−6.8%) |
Since 1 July 2026, retailers with more than 1,000 customers in SA must offer the opt-in Solar Sharer plan. In SA the free window is 12pm to 3pm, an hour later than in NSW and Queensland, reflecting when network and wholesale costs are lowest here. Usage in the window is free up to 24 kWh a day; outside it, rates are capped at the time-of-use DMO. You need a smart meter, but not solar panels.
The Energy Bill Concession, paid by the SA Government through your retailer as a daily credit, is worth up to $291.27 a year for eligible households on low or fixed incomes, and is indexed each financial year. SA also pays a Cost of Living Concession ($270.60 for 2026–27), which is a general payment rather than a bill credit. Apply through the SA Government's concessions service and tell your retailer if you switch.
The regulator, ESCOSA, stopped setting a minimum retailer feed-in tariff from 1 January 2017. Retailers set their own rates and structures, and the SA Government does not oversee them, so feed-in tariffs vary a lot between plans.
Households that joined the original government scheme between July 2008 and September 2011 still receive the 44 c/kWh distributor feed-in payment until 30 June 2028, on top of any retailer feed-in tariff. If that applies to you, check a new plan does not affect your eligibility before switching.
SA is under the National Energy Retail Law. Since 1 July 2026 retailers can raise your prices no more than once a year, must offer a fee-free payment method and cannot charge above the standing offer when a plan's introductory benefits end. The Energy and Water Ombudsman SA (EWOSA) handles unresolved complaints for free.
$2,334 a year, including GST, for a residential customer on a flat rate using 4,000 kWh. That is $33 (1.4%) more than in 2025–26. The time-of-use DMO is $2,276.
It changes often, and the highest feed-in rate is not always the best plan because it may come with higher usage rates. SA has no minimum feed-in tariff, so compare the whole plan on Energy Made Easy using your own usage and exports.
The Energy Bill Concession is worth up to $291.27 a year, paid as a daily credit on your bill, for eligible households on low or fixed incomes. It is indexed each financial year.
Under the Solar Sharer Offer, from 12pm to 3pm every day, up to 24 kWh. It is opt-in and needs a smart meter.
No retailer is cheapest for every household. Compare how far below the SA DMO each plan is, then check the best few against your own bill.
Energy Made Easy lists every generally available plan in South Australia, including feed-in tariffs.
Retailers we have profiled that sell to households in South Australia. This is not the full list of retailers licensed there; the government comparator shows every generally available offer.
