- Type
- Electricity and gas retailer
- Available in
- NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, ACT
- Rating
- 1.8/5 (Google) | 5/5 (Trustpilot, selected reviews)
- Plans from
- Varies by state and network
AGL overview
AGL is one of Australia's three largest energy retailers, alongside Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia. Founded in 1837, it is the oldest energy company in the country and serves approximately 4 million customer accounts across electricity, gas, solar, and telecommunications.
As a Tier 1 retailer, AGL operates across all major distribution networks in NSW, Victoria, Queensland (SEQ), South Australia, and the ACT. They offer a wide range of plan types including flat rate, time-of-use, solar-specific plans, and EV charging plans.
Pricing and plans
AGL's pricing is middle-of-the-road. They are rarely the cheapest retailer at any given address, but they are not the most expensive either. Their plans typically sit 5% to 15% below the DMO or VDO reference price, which means there is often a further 5% to 10% saving available from smaller, more competitive retailers.
AGL frequently runs promotional offers with introductory discounts or bill credits for new customers. These can make AGL competitive in the short term, but it is important to check what the ongoing rate reverts to after the promotional period ends.
They also offer a "Low Plan" and a "Value Saver" plan in most states. The Low Plan typically has lower usage rates but a higher supply charge, while the Value Saver has higher usage rates but a lower supply charge. Which is better depends on your usage level: lower-usage households tend to benefit from the lower supply charge.
Customer experience
AGL's Google Reviews rating of 1.8 stars looks alarming but is typical for large energy retailers. Most customers only leave reviews when something goes wrong (billing errors, difficult cancellations, long wait times), which skews ratings downward for any company serving millions of customers.
On Trustpilot, selected AGL reviews are more positive, with customers praising the operators for going out of their way to help and keep customers informed. However, Trustpilot ratings for energy retailers should be taken with a grain of salt, as retailers can invite satisfied customers to leave reviews, which can inflate scores.
The most common complaints about AGL relate to billing complexity, difficulty reaching support during peak times, and confusion around plan expiry and default rates. If your plan expires and you do not actively choose a new one, you may be moved to a standing offer at a higher price.
Our take on AGL
AGL is a safe, mainstream choice but rarely the best value. Their scale means they can offer a wide range of plan types and they are not going anywhere, which provides stability. But that same scale means their customer service can feel impersonal, and their pricing is not as aggressive as smaller retailers who are hungrier for market share.
If you are currently with AGL, it is worth comparing against smaller retailers like 1st Energy, Red Energy, or Alinta Energy. The savings from switching to a more competitive provider can be $100 to $300 per year, and switching is straightforward with no interruption to your supply.
If you value having a single provider for electricity, gas, solar, internet, and EV charging, AGL's ecosystem is one of the most comprehensive. But if price is your primary concern, there is almost always a cheaper option available at your address.
Compare AGL with other providers
See how AGL plans compare to other retailers at your address.
Compare plans now