Victorian Default Offer

The Victorian Default Offer, is a simple and trusted electricity price that is set by us, not energy companies.

It provides Victorian consumers access to a fair electricity deal even if they are unable or unwilling to engage in the retail market.

We set the default each year after assessing the efficient costs retailers need to recover to provide electricity to Victorian customers. The default offer will not necessarily be the lowest price available to you.

Accessing the Victorian Default Offer

Most Victorian household and small business can ask for a default offer, or use it to compare against offers to ensure they’re getting value for money on electricity.

Electricity retailers must make the Victorian Default Offer available to customers who request it, but can continue to offer customers contracts that differ from the default offer, through market offers.

Standing offers and market offers

Since 1 January 2020, the Victorian Default Offer covers all standing offers, including those based on time-of-use, demand, and flexible tariff structures.

A standing offer means you haven't taken up a market offer with your electricity company by negotiating a discount or switching providers.

If a retailer offers their standing offer customers these tariff types, they must comply with maximum annual bill amount set in our price determination.

If you are on a market offer, you can request to be moved on to the Victorian Default Offer tariffs, or use the default offer as a comparison to see if you're getting a good deal. Electricity retailers are required to calculate any discounts from the Victorian Default Offer tariff, known as the reference price. However, we recommend shopping around to find the right retail electricity offer for you.

Find out which offer you're on by asking your energy retailer or checking your bill.

Embedded network customers

Embedded network customers are the only customers who don't have access to the Victorian Default Offer.

You may be in an embedded network if you:

• live in an apartment complex, retirement home or caravan park
• are a tenant in a shopping centre.

We are reviewing the maximum prices embedded networks and other exempt sellers may charge. We have proposed that from 1 September 2020, Victorian Default Offer prices will be the new maximum price for all households and most businesses in embedded networks.

Current default offer prices

We have set the tariffs for 1 January to 31 December 2020 that electricity retailer can charge customers on the Victorian Default Offer. 

Our price determination covered all types of standing offers, including those based on time-of-use, demand, and flexible tariff structures.

The Victorian Default Offer includes a daily supply charge as well as a usage charge (per kilowatt hour). Differences in tariffs across distribution zones reflect the unique costs of providing electricity services in each area.

If you're not sure which distribution zone you're in, you can look it up on your electricity bill or view more information on the Victorian Government's energy website. 

Default offer for domestic customers (GST inclusive)

Default offer for small business customers with consumption less than 40 MWh per year (GST inclusive)

Want to act now?

If you want to find out more:

• call your electricity company and ask them whether the default offer is right for you
• find the best electricity offer for you on the Victorian Energy Compare website - the Victorian Government's free, independent energy price comparison tool.

If you have a complaint you are not able to resolve with your energy company, call the Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) on 1800 500 509.

Got a question?

Contact us for more information.