Queensland won the July 2026 price reset. South East Queensland's default electricity prices fell 7.2% — the biggest drop in the country — and smart-meter households on time-of-use default plans did even better, with falls up to 10.7%. Retailers are competing hard in SEQ right now, which makes this the best switching window Queensland has had in years.
What changed in Queensland on 1 July 2026
- SEQ flat-rate default prices fell 7.2% (the Energex network area — Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and surrounds).
- Time-of-use default prices fell up to 10.7% for smart-meter households — the biggest cut of any category nationally.
- The new Solar Sharer Offer launched: retailers must offer smart-meter households a plan with three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day. With Queensland's sky-high solar output, this plan style makes particular sense here.
One big Queensland catch: SEQ vs regional
Everything above applies to South East Queensland, where the market is competitive and you can choose between many retailers. In regional Queensland (the Ergon network area), most households are on government-notified prices with limited retail competition — comparison switching mostly isn't available there. If you're in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, the Gold or Sunshine Coast: read on, you have real choices. If you're on Ergon in regional QLD, your main levers are tariff selection and rebates rather than switching retailers.
How to find the cheapest plan in SEQ (10 minutes)
1. Check your bill against the default
Your bill must show how your plan compares to the DMO reference price. Above it? Switching is urgent. At it? You're paying the safety-net price, not a competitive one.
2. Compare market offers with your actual usage
Grab a recent bill (usage in kWh, daily supply charge) and compare plans for your postcode:
3. Queensland-specific things to weigh up
- Solar households: Queensland has Australia's highest rooftop-solar uptake. Don't chase the biggest feed-in tariff blindly — a high FiT often pairs with high usage rates. Compare the plan against your actual import/export split.
- Time-of-use and the Solar Sharer: if you can shift pool pumps, hot water, washing and EV charging to midday, TOU-style and Solar Sharer plans can beat flat rates comfortably in QLD.
- Benefit periods: the cheap rate you sign today often expires in 12 months. Re-compare every July.
Queensland rebates
Queensland runs electricity rebates for seniors, pensioners and concession-card holders, plus periodic state cost-of-living credits applied automatically to bills. Check what's current for you at the Queensland government energy concessions page. Rebates stack with a cheaper plan — do both.
Frequently asked questions
Is switching free and safe in Queensland?
Yes — free, about 10 minutes online, no disconnection or site visit, 10-business-day cooling-off period.
I'm in regional QLD on Ergon — can I switch?
Mostly no; regional Queensland has limited retail competition and notified prices. Focus on choosing the right tariff, claiming rebates, and solar if you have it.
Do comparison sites show every QLD plan?
No service compares every retailer. Ours covers 15+ participating retailers; the government's free Energy Made Easy lists every offer, without the guided switching.
Last updated: July 2026. Prices change — confirm details with the retailer before signing up.