Which states have free electricity hours in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the federal Solar Sharer Offer gives households in NSW and South-East Queensland free electricity from 11am to 2pm, and South Australia from 12pm to 3pm. Victoria launches its own Midday Power Saver (11am to 2pm) on 1 October 2026. The ACT, Tasmania, WA and NT are not yet covered, though a 2027 expansion is being discussed.

Is free electricity really free?

The 3-hour window is genuinely free up to 24 kWh per day, but rates outside the window are higher than a standard plan, your daily supply charge still applies, and controlled load is charged normally. Whether you come out ahead depends on how much usage you can shift into the window.

Who benefits most from free power hours?

Battery owners benefit most, since they can charge for free at midday and run the house off the battery through the evening peak. EV owners who can charge during the day and households home during the day also do well. Solar-only households and people out all day with evening-heavy usage often gain little or end up worse off.

Free Electricity Hours in Australia: Every Scheme Compared

Three hours of free power every day sounds like a no-brainer. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it quietly costs you money. This hub covers every free-power scheme in Australia, state by state, plus calculators to work out whether it is right for your household.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Free power schemes at a glance

What is on offer in each state, and when.

Region	Scheme	Free window	Starts	Daily cap
Victoria	Victorian Midday Power Saver	11am – 2pm daily	1 October 2026	24 kWh
NSW	Solar Sharer Offer	11am – 2pm daily	Live now (1 July 2026)	24 kWh
SE Queensland	Solar Sharer Offer	11am – 2pm daily	Live now (1 July 2026)	24 kWh
South Australia	Solar Sharer Offer	12pm – 3pm daily	Live now (1 July 2026)	24 kWh
ACT, TAS, WA, NT	Not yet covered	—	Possible expansion by 2027 (unconfirmed)	—

On top of the government schemes, several retailers run their own free-hours plans: OVO The Free 3 (11am–2pm), GloBird FOUR4FREE (10am–2pm), AGL Three for Free (10am–1pm, SA only) and Red Energy free weekend hours. These are unregulated outside the free window, so check the full rate card.

Work out if free power is right for you

Two free calculators built for the Australian schemes.

Free power savings calculator

Enter your state, usage and what you can shift. Get a dollar estimate of whether a free-hours plan beats your current one, including the higher rates outside the window.

Calculate my savings

Load shift planner

Pick your appliances and see exactly what each one is worth per run in the free window, how close you get to the 24 kWh cap, and your total annual value.

Plan my load shift

Guides in this hub

Is a free electricity plan right for you?

The honest decision guide: the core trade-off, who wins, who loses, and the five questions to ask before you switch.

Read guide

Victorian Midday Power Saver

Victoria’s scheme from 1 October 2026: 11am to 2pm free, who is eligible, government savings estimates, and the catches.

Read guide

Solar Sharer in NSW

Live now: 3 free hours from 11am, which retailers offer it, and the modelling showing who ends up ahead or behind.

Read guide

Solar Sharer in Queensland

How the offer works in South-East Queensland, what regional Ergon customers need to know, and who should sign up.

Read guide

Solar Sharer in South Australia

SA’s window runs 12pm to 3pm. With the highest power prices in the NEM, the stakes are bigger both ways.

Read guide

Solar, batteries and EVs

Why battery owners are the biggest winners, why solar-only homes gain least, and how EV owners should play it.

Read guide

Appliance shifting guide

What every appliance is worth per run in the free window, from the dishwasher (about 40c) to the EV charger (about $7 a day).

Read guide

Free power FAQ

Every question answered: eligibility, smart meters, the 24 kWh cap, controlled load, concessions, exit fees and more.

Read guide

Our take on free power hours

Free electricity windows are a genuine saving for the right household and a quiet loss for the wrong one. The schemes recover the cost of the free window through higher rates at other times, so the question is never “is free power good?” but “can I move enough usage into the window to beat the higher rates outside it?”

As a rule of thumb, you want to shift at least 5 to 6 kWh a day into the free window. Battery and EV owners clear that bar easily. Households out all day with no automation usually do not, and modelling by Energy Consumers Australia shows they can end up around $320 a year worse off. Run the calculator, check your last bill, and compare against a plain low-rate plan before you switch.

Not sure free power is the best deal?

A cheap flat-rate plan often beats a free-hours plan. Compare what is available at your address.

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