When prices change
- March to May
Draft and final regulated prices
The AER publishes the draft and then final Default Market Offer, and the ESC the Victorian Default Offer. Other states announce their regulated prices.
- 1 July
New prices start
Regulated prices change, and most retailers change market prices at the same time.
- Before the change
Your retailer tells you
You receive a notice with the old and new prices, by email, letter or in your app.
- Any time
Benefits and discounts can end
A fixed benefit period ending can change what you pay. Since July 2026 in the NERR states, you pay no more than the standing offer price when benefits end.
The 2026-27 changes ranged from falls of 3.4% to 7.2% in NSW and south-east Queensland, to a 5% fall in the average Victorian Default Offer bill, to rises in South Australia, WA, the ACT, Tasmania and the NT. Our rates by state page shows each one.
The rules on price changes
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Once a year | Since 1 July 2026, retailers in the NERR states can increase market contract prices only once every 12 months. |
| Advance notice | At least five business days before the change, or 20 business days for contracts with a fixed price period. |
| Benefits ending | When a plan's benefits change or expire, you pay no more than the standing offer price in the NERR states. |
| Regulated caps | Standing offers cannot exceed the Default Market Offer in NSW, south-east Queensland and SA, or the Victorian Default Offer in Victoria. |
Victoria, WA, the NT and regional Queensland
Victoria has its own rules under the Energy Retail Code of Practice. In WA, the NT and regional Queensland, household prices are set by government each year.
What to do when your price changes
Read the notice
Compare the old and new usage rate, supply charge and feed-in tariff.
Compare plans
Use the government comparison sites with your own usage. See our comparison guide.
Ask your retailer
Tell them what you found. They may move you to a cheaper plan.
Questions about electricity price changes
Mostly on 1 July, when regulated prices such as the Default Market Offer and Victorian Default Offer reset. Since July 2026, retailers in the NERR states can raise market prices only once every 12 months.
Under the National Energy Retail Rules as changed in 2025, at least five business days, or at least 20 business days for contracts with a fixed price period. The notice shows your old and new prices.
A fixed price period means the prices are fixed for that period. After it ends, prices can change with the required notice.
Since 1 July 2026 in NSW, Queensland, SA, Tasmania and the ACT, you pay no more than the standing offer price if your plan's benefits change or expire. It is still worth comparing plans.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.