Victorian electricity prices moved on 1 July 2026 — and in the right direction. The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) fell about 5% for households, saving the average default customer roughly $84 a year (small businesses: about $241). But if $84 sounds underwhelming, that's because it is: the gap between the VDO and Victoria's cheapest market offers is usually several times larger. The July reset is your annual reminder to compare, not a reason to stay put.
Victoria is different: VDO, not DMO
While the rest of the east coast uses the Default Market Offer set by the Australian Energy Regulator, Victoria sets its own cap — the VDO, decided by the Essential Services Commission. Same idea: it's the maximum price for customers who never chose a plan, a safety net rather than a good deal. For 2026–27 the ESC cut it about 5% on the back of lower wholesale, network and environmental costs.
How to find the cheapest plan in Victoria (10 minutes)
1. Find the "best offer" box on your bill
Victorian rules are stronger than anywhere else: every bill must tell you — on the front page, at least every three months — whether your retailer has a cheaper plan for you and how much you'd save. If that box shows a saving, your own retailer is admitting you're on the wrong plan. And remember, they only have to show their own cheaper plan; a competitor may beat it again.
2. Compare market offers with your actual usage
Have a recent bill handy (usage in kWh plus daily supply charge) and compare plans for your postcode:
3. Watch the Victoria-specific details
- Five distribution networks (CitiPower, Powercor, Jemena, AusNet, United Energy) mean prices vary a lot by suburb — always compare by your own postcode.
- Smart meters are near-universal in Victoria, so time-of-use and demand tariffs are common. A cheap-looking plan with a demand charge can be expensive for the wrong household — check the tariff type matches how you use power.
- Benefit periods and conditional discounts — same traps as everywhere: compare base rates, and re-compare every July.
Victorian rebates and concessions
Victoria has one of the most generous concession systems in the country — the annual electricity concession, winter gas concession, medical cooling concession and utility relief grants. Check eligibility at the Victorian government concessions page. Concessions apply on top of any plan, so claim them and switch — the two savings stack.
Frequently asked questions
Is switching free and safe in Victoria?
Yes — free, done online in about 10 minutes, no supply interruption, and a 10-business-day cooling-off period applies.
Does the government's own comparison site do the same thing?
Victorian Energy Compare is the official ESC tool and lists every offer in Victoria — it's genuinely worth a look. Commercial comparison services like ours cover participating retailers only, but handle the switching paperwork for you. Using both is a perfectly sensible strategy.
Does the new Solar Sharer Offer apply in Victoria?
Not yet — the initial July 2026 rollout of free-midday-power default offers covers DMO regions (NSW, South East Queensland, South Australia). Victoria runs its own rules, though similar plans may appear in the market. Watch this space.
Last updated: July 2026. Prices change — confirm details with the retailer before signing up.