NSW Climate and Energy Action

Energy bills and costs explained

Understand your plans, bills and costs to start saving.

Households and community members in and around their homes, with a spotlight on an energy bill
 

Introduction

Are you confused about your energy plan or bill and what all the terms and charges mean? You’re not alone!

This page will help you make sense of it all, so you’ve got the power to save more money and energy in your home or small business.

There’s a lot to learn, so take your time. You can read through from start to finish or go to the section most relevant to you.

Types of energy customers and energy plans

  • How to know what type of energy customer you are (retail or embedded network)
  • How to understand your energy plan and get the best deal

An illustrated computer with a browser open

What's in your energy bill

  • The typical information found in your bill
  • How to understand your billing cycle
  • Where to get support

Illustration of an energy bill

Energy charges and fees

  • What the different types of charges mean
  • What you’re paying for in your bill
  • How your energy use is measured
  • How to cut your energy bill

Energy charges

Energy tariffs

  • What is an energy tariff
  • Common types of tariffs

Energy tariffs in a bill

Energy meters

  • The difference between traditional and smart meters
  • The national smart meter rollout
  • What is an estimated meter reading

Illustration of a dashboard with energy use

Get help with your energy bills

  • Support options for when you need help paying your energy bill
  • Advice and support when dealing with energy issues

Customer support help line

Your rights as an energy customer

  • Understand your rights as an energy customer under the National Energy Retail law
  • Your rights if you’re an embedded network customer

Energy bill with graphs of usage

Learn how energy education is helping Sarmin and her community reduce their bills

Duration: 2:34 minutes
Video transcript

Sarmin: Hello and Assalamualaikum everyone. Let me tell you about my journey – what inspired me to organise the Voices for Power Energy Literacy Training.

I came from Bangladesh in 2022 as an international student. That time, I didn't know nothing about the energy bills. And my landlord has to take, from me, a lot of money. I was told not to use the heater. I was literally using two three blanket to keep myself warm. So it was a very bad experience for me.

Earlier this year, I met Asha who works in Sydney Community Forum. And that small conversation, opened a big door for me. After that, I joined the Voices for Power training, and I learned about my rights.

Nirmal: We're giving people the tools right in the beginning, to navigate the system with lots of confidence. There are great saving tips for energy... 

Sarmin: Like hanging your clothes out to dry on the line. If I keep my air conditioning in between 21 to 24 Celsius, is more efficient. 

Nirmal: They're getting that information from that trusted source, which has that information in hand. 

Sarmin: It's those light bulb moment when someone understand that washing in
cold water or checking their fridge seals can save real money.

Nirmal: Going back to your bill and really understanding what sort of deal are you in, what sort of plan you are in, so that you understand if you use energy in a particular time, what's the best you can make out of it.

Shajabin: It was massive information that I have learned. I was unaware that, I am able to take $75 discount from the government.

Sarmin: I get to know now how to read bills, how to compare providers.

Nirmal: There are opportunities for you to reduce your bill, where you can actually go and negotiate it.

Sarmin: I think this training will help my community, my friends and everyone, to understand the energy will better.

Shajabin: I'm lucky that I got knowledge now. From today, maybe I will be using my power.

Sarmin: It's about building confidence. We have the power to create change for our own families and communities together.

 


Start here

Household living in an apartment

Understand what type of customer you are, the energy plan you're on and compare to get the best deal.

A lively community of people inside and around their homes and neighbourhood