Queensland Energy Plans 2026

Queensland's Two Electricity Markets

Queensland is split into two distinct electricity markets:

South East Queensland (Energex)

SE QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) is a contestable market: you can choose your retailer. Energex manages the poles and wires. This market has strong competition with many retailers offering discounts and incentives.

Regional Queensland (Ergon Energy)

Most of regional/remote QLD is served by Ergon Energy as the sole distributor. Retailers like AGL, Origin, and EnergyAustralia offer plans in some regional areas. In some parts of regional QLD, Ergon is both the distributor and the only retailer available.

QLD Default Market Offer (DMO)

The AER’s final DMO for 2026 — 27 (effective 1 July 2026) set these residential reference prices:

• Energex (SE QLD): ~$1,988/year (down 7.2% from $2,143 in 2025–26)
• Ergon (Regional): ~$2,300 — $2,700/year (higher due to network costs; regional QLD is not covered by the DMO)

Market offers in SE QLD are typically 15 — 25% below the DMO. Regional QLD customers have fewer competitive options.

Best Electricity Deals in QLD

• Red Energy: Very competitive in SE QLD, excellent solar FIT (10 — 12 c/kWh)
• Origin Energy: Strong SE QLD presence, good discounts
• AGL: Solid plans available across QLD including some regional areas
• EnergyAustralia: Competitive in SE QLD
• Alinta Energy: Growing presence in SE QLD

Solar in Queensland

QLD has the highest solar penetration in Australia. Feed-in tariffs are generally good: many retailers offer 8 — 12 c/kWh in SE QLD. Regional QLD FITs can be even higher (10 — 13 c/kWh) due to less competition.

Check if your home is in a solar sponge zone: some areas offer time-varying FITs that pay more for exports during peak solar generation periods.

Rebates and Concessions

• Electricity Rebate: $340.85/year for eligible concession card holders
• Reticulated Natural Gas Concession: $73.10/year
• Medical Electricity Concession: For medical equipment users
• Appliance Energy Efficiency Concession: Rebates for energy-efficient appliances

Apply through the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.

The Solar Sharer Offer in Queensland

From 1 July 2026, households in South East Queensland with a smart meter can opt in to a plan with free electricity between 11am and 2pm every day, capped at 24 kWh in the window. Given QLD's strong solar output, the state's midday wholesale prices are often very low — the SSO passes some of that through as free power. If you can shift your big appliances to that window, ask every retailer you compare whether they offer an SSO plan.

Demand Tariffs: How They Work

Many QLD plans include a demand charge based on your highest 30-minute usage during peak periods — typically weekday evenings. The mechanism matters: one bad half-hour (oven + dryer + air conditioner at once) can set your demand charge for the whole month. If your plan has a demand component, spread heavy appliance use across different times, or choose a flat-rate plan without one. Check your bill to see whether you are already on a demand tariff.

QLD Rebates in 2026

Eligible concession card holders can claim the Electricity Rebate and Reticulated Natural Gas Concession through the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works — amounts are indexed periodically, so check the current rates. Households affected by storms or life-support equipment use may qualify for additional assistance. Apply online or through your retailer.

SE QLD vs Regional: A Practical Comparison

The two Queensland markets behave differently in practice. In SE QLD, competition among retailers keeps market offers typically 15–25% below the DMO, and the Solar Sharer Offer free window (11am–2pm) is available. In regional Queensland, Ergon's network costs are higher and retail competition is thinner, so bills run above the SE QLD average and there are fewer plans to choose from — but solar feed-in tariffs in some regional areas have historically been higher to attract generation. If you are comparing plans, search with your exact postcode: the same retailer can offer very different rates in Brisbane versus Rockhampton.

How to Switch in QLD

1. Find your distributor (Energex in SE QLD, Ergon elsewhere) and your annual kWh usage.
2. Compare plans on Energy Made Easy with your postcode and usage.
3. Check the conditions: conditional discounts, benefit periods and exit fees.
4. Ask about the Solar Sharer Offer and solar feed-in tariff.
5. Switch online and confirm the transfer date with the new retailer.