You’re Not Alone
Raise your hand if you’ve never switched energy providers.
Don’t worry, you’re in very good company.
According to the ACCC, around 73% of Australians on electricity plans are not on the best deal available to them. That’s not a criticism of anyone. It’s just the reality of how the system is set up, and why so many households are quietly paying more than they need to.
Why Most People Never Switch
Switching feels like it should be complicated
There’s a vague sense that it involves paperwork, phone calls, tradespeople, maybe even some downtime where your power gets cut off. Maybe you’ve been burned by a confusing deal before. Maybe you’ve just never gotten around to it.
So you leave it. The bill comes in. You wince. You pay it. Repeat.
It’s a cycle millions of Australian households are stuck in right now, and the energy industry has done a very effective job of making sure it stays that way.
Here’s What Nobody Tells You
Switching electricity providers in Australia involves zero interruption to your power supply.
Not even for a second.
The poles, the wires, the physical infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home, all of that stays exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the company sending you the bill and the amount on it.
Most people who switch save somewhere between $200 and $500 a year depending on their state and usage. Some households save considerably more, particularly when they compare electricity, gas and internet plans at the same time.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes online.
The Loyalty Tax Is Real
Here’s something worth understanding before you check your next bill.
Energy providers save their best rates for new customers. When you first sign up, you typically receive a competitive market offer with a conditional discount attached. That discount usually lasts 12 to 24 months. When it expires, your rate quietly increases. No warning email. No phone call. No notification of any kind.
Your provider calls it a standard retail contract. Most people would call it a slow leak in their bank account.
The fix is embarrassingly simple. Compare your plan once a year. Set a calendar reminder if you need to. Ten minutes of your time each year can save you hundreds of dollars.
What to Compare (and Where to Start)
There are three household bills worth comparing at the same time:
Electricity. The biggest opportunity for most households. Rates vary significantly between providers and between states, and the gap between the best and worst available deals is often hundreds of dollars per year.
Gas. Frequently overlooked. Many households are still on standing offer rates for gas simply because they’ve never thought to compare it.
Internet and NBN. Plan pricing and speeds have shifted considerably in recent years. Many households are paying for speeds they don’t need, or missing out on plans that would suit them better at a lower price.
The easiest way to compare all three in one place is through Make a Connection at makeaconnection.com.au. It’s free to use, takes a couple of minutes and covers electricity, gas and internet so you’re not jumping between different comparison tools.
The Bottom Line
The reason most Australians haven’t switched providers isn’t laziness. It’s that the system is deliberately designed to feel more complicated than it is.
Understanding that is the first step. The second step takes about 10 minutes.
If you haven’t compared your energy and internet plans in the last 12 months, this week is a good time to start.
Head to makeaconnection.com.au, run a quick comparison and see what’s actually available in your area. You might be surprised by what comes up.