Choosing your electricity or gas retailer

Business customers in South East Queensland, are free to choose their energy provider.

This includes customers who obtain their electricity through an 'embedded network' operated by their landlord or the owner of their building.

Regional large business customers (using 100 megawatt-hours (MWh) or more per year), particularly those on the east coast, may also be able to find competitive market offers.

Small businesses can compare electricity and gas prices using the Energy Made Easy website.

Checklist for shopping around

1. Identify which pieces of equipment use the most electricity and when you use that equipment. Once you know this information you can use it to help guide what you are looking for in an electricity offer that might suit your needs, and you can check:
   • billing periods
   • charging structures, for example are the charges ‘anytime’, different depending on the time of use, include charges for the rate of use or demand
   • payment options
   • fixed terms
   • discounts.
2. Small business customers can shop around for a better deal with Energy Made Easy. Compare:
   • What are the prices?
   • Is there a discount?
   • If so, what is the discount applied to?
   • Are discounts or prices conditional (e.g. bills must be paid on time, received electronically, paid by direct deposit)?
   • Is the contract for a fixed period?
   • What happens at the end of the period?
   • When does it expire?
   • Does it have exit fees?
3. Ask your current retailer for a better deal, especially if you are on a standard retail contract.
4. Switch and save if you find a better deal. In most cases, you are entitled to a 10-day cooling-off period in case you change your mind.

Contact retailers directly if you have questions about:

• the contract, bill or the prices you pay
• payment options
• purchasing green electricity
• disconnection or reconnection
• solar power feed-in tariff, if applicable.

Alternatively, you can hire an energy broker to find a good deal on your behalf. This is recommended for large business customers using 100 MWh or more per year that do not have in-house capability. Ask the broker whether they receive commissions and other incentives from electricity retailers.

Protections are in place to help all customers with disputes.

Also consider...

• Read about electricity consumer rights and complaints.