Queensland has two completely different electricity markets depending on where you live. South East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba) is served by the Energex network and has full retail competition with multiple retailers and the AER's Default Market Offer. Regional Queensland (everything else) is served by Ergon Energy with regulated tariffs set by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) and very limited retailer choice.
From 1 July 2026, South East Queensland received the largest residential electricity price cut of any region in Australia: flat rate prices dropped 7.2%, saving a typical household $155 per year compared to the previous DMO. The new Solar Sharer Offer is also available, giving eligible households three hours of free daytime electricity.
Current reference prices in Queensland (2026-27)
| Region | Network | DMO annual (flat rate) | Change from 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East QLD | Energex | $1,988/year | Down $155 (7.2%) |
| Regional QLD | Ergon Energy | Regulated by QCA | Uniform tariff policy |
South East Queensland's reference price dropped by the largest amount of any DMO region, driven by lower wholesale electricity costs and increased renewable generation output. Time-of-use customers saw an even larger reduction of 10.7%, saving $229 per year.
In regional Queensland, the state government's Uniform Tariff Policy ensures that regulated prices for Ergon Energy customers are broadly comparable to those in South East Queensland, despite the higher cost of supplying remote areas. This policy is funded by the state government through a community service obligation payment to Ergon Energy.
Source: AER Default Market Offer 2026-27 (DMO 8), published 26 May 2026.
Our take on electricity in Queensland
If you live in South East Queensland and are on a standing offer, you just got a $155 annual price cut automatically on 1 July 2026. But you are still paying more than you need to. Market offers typically sit 15% to 20% below the DMO, which means switching from the standing offer to a competitive market plan could save an additional $300 to $400 per year on top of the DMO reduction.
If you are in regional Queensland on the Ergon network, your options are more limited but not zero. Ergon offers multiple regulated tariff options including time-of-use, demand, and controlled load tariffs. If you have never reviewed which tariff suits your household, it is worth calling Ergon on 13 10 46 to check. The difference between tariff 11 (flat rate) and tariff 12A (time-of-use) can be significant depending on your usage patterns.
Queensland has the highest rooftop solar penetration of any state, which means feed-in tariff competition in SEQ is meaningful. If you have solar and have not compared feed-in rates recently, you may be on an older plan with a lower rate than what is currently available.
Check what plans are available at your address
Enter your postcode to compare electricity retailers in your area of Queensland.
Compare plans nowSouth East Queensland (Energex network)
The Energex network covers the most populated part of Queensland: Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, and Toowoomba. If you are in one of these areas, you have access to the competitive retail market with retailers including AGL, Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia, Alinta Energy, 1st Energy, OVO Energy, and others.
SEQ customers benefit from the DMO price cap, which ensures standing offer prices cannot exceed the AER's reference price. But the DMO is not the cheapest option. The most competitive market offers in SEQ are typically $250 to $400 below the DMO, depending on your usage level.
Regional Queensland (Ergon Energy network)
If you live outside South East Queensland, anywhere from Bundaberg to Cairns, Townsville to Mount Isa, you are on the Ergon Energy network. Retail competition is limited: Ergon is the primary retailer, although some other providers serve parts of the network.
Ergon's prices are regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA). The state government's Uniform Tariff Policy subsidises the cost difference between SEQ and regional areas, so regulated prices are broadly comparable despite much higher network costs in remote areas.
If you are on the Ergon network, comparing tariff types is more important than comparing retailers. Ergon offers tariff 11 (flat rate), tariff 12A (time-of-use), tariff 31 (night rate for hot water), and tariff 33 (controlled load for pool pumps and other cycling loads). The right combination of tariffs can save hundreds per year.
Average electricity bills by city in Queensland
Which network you are on, Energex or Ergon, matters far more to your bill than which specific SEQ suburb or regional city you live in, since Energex and Ergon each apply one reference pricing structure across their whole territory.
| City / area | Network | Pricing basis | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Energex | DMO reference $1,988/year | Market offers around $1,590 to $1,690/year |
| Gold Coast | Energex | DMO reference $1,988/year | Market offers around $1,590 to $1,690/year |
| Sunshine Coast | Energex | DMO reference $1,988/year | Market offers around $1,590 to $1,690/year |
| Toowoomba | Energex | DMO reference $1,988/year | Market offers around $1,590 to $1,690/year |
| Townsville, Cairns, Mackay | Ergon Energy | QCA regulated tariff 11 (flat) | Around $1,900/year for a 5,000 kWh household* |
*The Ergon figure is illustrative for a higher-usage regional household (air conditioning-heavy, 5,000 kWh/year) and is not directly comparable kWh-for-kWh to the Energex DMO reference. Both are shown here to give a general sense of scale, not a precise like-for-like comparison. Enter your postcode for figures specific to your address.
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba are all on the Energex network and share the same DMO reference price and full retail competition. There is no pricing advantage to living in one SEQ city over another; the difference comes down to which retailer and plan you choose.
Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, and the rest of regional Queensland are on Ergon Energy, where prices are regulated by the QCA rather than set by competing retailers. The state's Uniform Tariff Policy keeps these regulated prices broadly comparable to SEQ despite higher underlying network costs, but retailer choice is limited, so the tariff type you are on (flat, time-of-use, or controlled load) matters more than shopping between retailers.
What would you pay? Real scenarios for Queensland households
Couple in a Brisbane apartment (Energex, 3,500 kWh/year, air con, no solar)
On the DMO standing offer: approximately $1,730 per year. On the cheapest market offer: approximately $1,350 to $1,450 per year. Potential saving: $280 to $380 per year.
Family of four on the Gold Coast (Energex, 6,000 kWh/year, pool pump, 6.6kW solar)
On a standing offer with basic feed-in: approximately $2,100 per year after solar credits. On a competitive market offer with a higher feed-in tariff and the pool pump on a time-of-use or controlled load tariff: approximately $1,350 to $1,550 per year. Potential saving: $550 to $750 per year. Pool pump timing alone can save $400 or more annually.
Household in Townsville (Ergon, 5,000 kWh/year, air con, no solar)
On the regulated tariff 11 flat rate: approximately $1,900 per year. Switching to tariff 12A (time-of-use) with usage shifted to off-peak hours: approximately $1,600 to $1,750 per year. Potential saving: $150 to $300 per year from tariff optimisation alone, without changing retailers.
Tips for comparing electricity in Queensland
SEQ residents: compare now. The July 2026 DMO drop means retailers are actively competing for customers. The deals available in July and August are typically the most competitive of the year.
Check the Solar Sharer Offer. If you have a smart meter in SEQ, you are eligible for three hours of free electricity daily (11am to 2pm), even without solar panels. All major retailers must offer this from 1 July 2026.
Pool pump owners: check your tariff. If your pool pump is running during peak hours on a flat rate tariff, you are paying full price for electricity that could cost a fraction on a controlled load or time-of-use tariff. Moving the pump to off-peak or a controlled load circuit is one of the single biggest electricity savings available to Queensland households.
Regional QLD: call Ergon about tariff options. Even though you cannot easily switch retailers, you can switch between Ergon's regulated tariff types. Tariff 31 (night rate) for hot water and tariff 33 (controlled load) for pool pumps can significantly reduce your bill.
Solar in Queensland: With over 40% of Queensland homes now having solar panels, feed-in tariff competition in SEQ is strong. Check whether your current retailer's feed-in rate is competitive, as rates have changed significantly in the past two years.