Switching Business Electricity Retailer
Switching retailer changes who bills you and the retail rates you pay. The network, the meter and the physical supply stay where they are. Most problems come from timing, not from the switch itself.
Check the current contract first
Find the contract end date, the notice period and any early termination charge. Some business contracts renew automatically unless notice is given, and the notice period can be longer than expected.
A switch arranged before the notice period is served can overlap with the old contract or trigger a charge. The written contract, not the last bill, is the authoritative source.
What changes and what does not
The retailer and the retail component of the bill change. The distribution network, the network tariff, the meter and the physical supply do not. The new retailer simply bills you for the same delivered electricity under different retail rates.
Because the network charges are common to both retailers, a saving comes from the retail component. That is also why a switch does not require any work at the site or any interruption to supply.
Timing the transfer
Ask the new retailer for the proposed transfer date and confirm it against the old contract's end date. There should be no gap in billing and no period of double supply; the transfer is a change of retailer, not a disconnection and reconnection.
Arrange a final read with the old retailer for the transfer date so the final bill covers exactly the period it supplied. Keep the final bill: it is the record that the handover happened when it was supposed to.
The final bill and the first bill
The final bill from the old retailer should be pro-rated to the transfer date and show any credits or charges under the contract. Check it against the notice period and the rates you agreed to when you signed.
The first bill from the new retailer is where to confirm that the rates, supply charge and term match the written offer. Billing errors are easier to correct early, before several cycles have passed.
If the transfer does not go to plan
The new retailer is responsible for arranging the transfer it sold you, so start with them if the date slips or the first bill is wrong. Keep the written offer and any correspondence in one place.
If it cannot be resolved with the retailer, each state and territory has an energy ombudsman scheme that handles disputes for small businesses. Time limits apply, so raise the issue promptly rather than waiting for the next bill.
Put it into practice
Upload an electricity bill to run a comparison on your site's actual usage, or read more business electricity guides.
Related guides
- How to Read a Business Electricity Bill
- Time-of-Use, Flat and Demand Tariffs Explained
- Network Charges vs Retail Charges: Who Charges You for What
- Moving Premises: A Business Electricity Checklist
- How to Compare Business Electricity Quotes
- Do You Need an Energy Broker for Your Business?
- Demand Charges on a Business Electricity Bill
Business electricity by state
Network operators and market rules differ across Australia, so the mechanics described above play out differently depending on where your site is.
- Business electricity in New South Wales
- Business electricity in Victoria
- Business electricity in Queensland
- Business electricity in South Australia
- Business electricity in Western Australia
- Business electricity in Tasmania
- Business electricity in Australian Capital Territory
- Business electricity in Northern Territory
Electricity networks
Every business site connects to one distribution network. Knowing which one helps you read a quote and check that a plan is actually offered at your address. See every network or pick one: