AusgridSydney (east, inner west, north), Central Coast, Hunter
- Flat rate, a year
- $1,899
- Change vs 2025-26
- -3.4% (-$66); time of use -3.7%
- Time of use, a year
- $1,893
- Free-power plan, a year
- $1,893
- Usage assumed
- 3,900 kWh
Default Market Offer 2026-27
The Default Market Offer is the regulated reference price for electricity in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia; Victoria's equivalent is the Victorian Default Offer. For 2026-27 they fell almost everywhere: a flat-rate home on Ausgrid pays at most $1,899 a year on a standing offer, -3.4% on last year. Every figure below applies from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
DMO and VDO figures checked
-3.4% to -5.0%NSW residential flat rate
-7.2%South East Queensland
+1.4%South Australia, the only rise
Residential reference prices
AER, final determination 26 May 2026| Network | Flat rate, a year | Change vs 2025-26 | Time of use, a year | Free-power plan, a year | Usage assumed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusgridSydney (east, inner west, north), Central Coast, Hunter | $1,899 | -3.4% (-$66); time of use -3.7% | $1,893 | $1,893 | 3,900 kWh |
| Endeavour EnergyWestern Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra | $2,328 | -3.4% (-$83); time of use -3.8% | $2,320 | $2,320 | 4,900 kWh |
| Essential EnergyRegional and rural NSW | $2,604 | -5% (-$137); time of use -7.7% | $2,530 | $2,530 | 4,600 kWh |
| EnergexSouth East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan) | $1,988 | -7.2% (-$155); time of use -10.7% | $1,914 | $1,914 | 4,600 kWh |
| SA Power NetworksSouth Australia | $2,334 | +1.4% (+$33); time of use -1.1% | $2,276 | $2,276 | 4,000 kWh |
Endeavour EnergyWestern Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra
- Flat rate, a year
- $2,328
- Change vs 2025-26
- -3.4% (-$83); time of use -3.8%
- Time of use, a year
- $2,320
- Free-power plan, a year
- $2,320
- Usage assumed
- 4,900 kWh
Essential EnergyRegional and rural NSW
- Flat rate, a year
- $2,604
- Change vs 2025-26
- -5% (-$137); time of use -7.7%
- Time of use, a year
- $2,530
- Free-power plan, a year
- $2,530
- Usage assumed
- 4,600 kWh
EnergexSouth East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan)
- Flat rate, a year
- $1,988
- Change vs 2025-26
- -7.2% (-$155); time of use -10.7%
- Time of use, a year
- $1,914
- Free-power plan, a year
- $1,914
- Usage assumed
- 4,600 kWh
SA Power NetworksSouth Australia
- Flat rate, a year
- $2,334
- Change vs 2025-26
- +1.4% (+$33); time of use -1.1%
- Time of use, a year
- $2,276
- Free-power plan, a year
- $2,276
- Usage assumed
- 4,000 kWh
Each annual price assumes the usage shown and no controlled load. The free-power plan (Solar Sharer Offer) price assumes no load moved into the free hours, which is why it equals the time-of-use price.
Victorian Default Offer
ESC, final decision 20 May 2026| Zone | Residential, a year | Change | Small business, a year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CitiPowerMelbourne CBD and inner suburbs | $1,481 | -4% (-$65) | $3,033 | -5% (-$153) |
| JemenaMelbourne's north and north-west | $1,563 | -5% (-$75) | $3,488 | -6% (-$232) |
| United EnergyMelbourne's south-east and Mornington Peninsula | $1,529 | -3% (-$50) | $3,124 | -5% (-$166) |
| AusNet ServicesEastern and northern Victoria, Melbourne's outer east | $1,748 | -8% (-$160) | $3,896 | -11% (-$502) |
| PowercorWestern Victoria and Melbourne's west | $1,633 | -4% (-$70) | $3,357 | -4% (-$151) |
| Victorian average | $1,591 | -5% (-$84) | $3,380 | -6% (-$241) |
CitiPowerMelbourne CBD and inner suburbs
- Residential, a year
- $1,481
- Change
- -4% (-$65)
- Small business, a year
- $3,033
- Change
- -5% (-$153)
JemenaMelbourne's north and north-west
- Residential, a year
- $1,563
- Change
- -5% (-$75)
- Small business, a year
- $3,488
- Change
- -6% (-$232)
United EnergyMelbourne's south-east and Mornington Peninsula
- Residential, a year
- $1,529
- Change
- -3% (-$50)
- Small business, a year
- $3,124
- Change
- -5% (-$166)
AusNet ServicesEastern and northern Victoria, Melbourne's outer east
- Residential, a year
- $1,748
- Change
- -8% (-$160)
- Small business, a year
- $3,896
- Change
- -11% (-$502)
PowercorWestern Victoria and Melbourne's west
- Residential, a year
- $1,633
- Change
- -4% (-$70)
- Small business, a year
- $3,357
- Change
- -4% (-$151)
Victorian average
- Residential, a year
- $1,591
- Change
- -5% (-$84)
- Small business, a year
- $3,380
- Change
- -6% (-$241)
Residential prices assume 4,000 kWh a year and small business 10,000 kWh. The ESC does not publish an annual price with controlled load.
Small business reference prices
DMO regions| Network | Flat rate, a year | Change | Time of use, a year | Change | Usage assumed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusgridNSW | $4,523 | -9.1% (-$454) | $4,450 | -10.6% (-$527) | 10,000 kWh |
| Endeavour EnergyNSW | $4,343 | -9% (-$432) | $4,326 | -9.4% (-$449) | 10,000 kWh |
| Essential EnergyNSW | $5,517 | -11.3% (-$705) | $4,919 | -20.9% (-$1,303) | 10,000 kWh |
| EnergexQLD | $3,849 | -10.4% (-$445) | $3,693 | -14% (-$601) | 10,000 kWh |
| SA Power NetworksSA | $5,162 | -6.8% (-$379) | $4,868 | -12.1% (-$673) | 10,000 kWh |
AusgridNSW
- Flat rate, a year
- $4,523
- Change
- -9.1% (-$454)
- Time of use, a year
- $4,450
- Change
- -10.6% (-$527)
- Usage assumed
- 10,000 kWh
Endeavour EnergyNSW
- Flat rate, a year
- $4,343
- Change
- -9% (-$432)
- Time of use, a year
- $4,326
- Change
- -9.4% (-$449)
- Usage assumed
- 10,000 kWh
Essential EnergyNSW
- Flat rate, a year
- $5,517
- Change
- -11.3% (-$705)
- Time of use, a year
- $4,919
- Change
- -20.9% (-$1,303)
- Usage assumed
- 10,000 kWh
EnergexQLD
- Flat rate, a year
- $3,849
- Change
- -10.4% (-$445)
- Time of use, a year
- $3,693
- Change
- -14% (-$601)
- Usage assumed
- 10,000 kWh
SA Power NetworksSA
- Flat rate, a year
- $5,162
- Change
- -6.8% (-$379)
- Time of use, a year
- $4,868
- Change
- -12.1% (-$673)
- Usage assumed
- 10,000 kWh
Tariff caps behind the prices
Supply c/day, usage c/kWh| Network | Flat: supply (c/day) | Flat: usage (c/kWh) | Time of use: supply (c/day) | Time of use: usage (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusgridNSW | 166.23 | 33.14 | 176.41 | Off-peak 24.04c (all other hours) Peak 60.20c (3pm-9pm, Nov-Mar and Jun-Aug only) |
| Endeavour EnergyNSW | 185.13 | 33.73 | 185.13 | Peak 46.57c Nov-Mar, 47.14c Apr-Oct (4pm-8pm working weekdays) Off-peak 35.69c (all other hours, and weekends) Solar soak 12.35c (10am-2pm) |
| Essential EnergyNSW | 272.22 | 35.01 | 272.22 | Off-peak 24.14c (all other hours) Peak 42.12c (7am-10am and 3pm-10pm) |
| EnergexQLD | 192.02 | 27.97 | 177.85 | Shoulder 25.30c (9pm-11am) Off-peak 6.98c (11am-4pm) Peak 47.79c (4pm-9pm) |
| SA Power NetworksSA | 180.05 | 41.91 | 180.05 | Peak 56.22c (6am-10am and 4pm-midnight) Solar sponge 17.04c (10am-4pm) Off-peak 32.55c (midnight-6am) |
| CitiPowerVIC | 121.14 | 25.96 | 121.14 | Off-peak 21.17c (9pm-11am) Solar soak 16.59c (11am-4pm) Peak 38.31c (4pm-9pm) |
| JemenaVIC | 127.13 | 27.47 | 127.12 | Off-peak 21.76c (9pm-11am) Solar soak 17.65c (11am-4pm) Peak 37.57c (4pm-9pm) |
| United EnergyVIC | 119.12 | 27.35 | 119.12 | Off-peak 22.14c (9pm-11am) Solar soak 17.26c (11am-4pm) Peak 40.32c (4pm-9pm) |
| AusNet ServicesVIC | 128.24 | 31.98 | 128.24 | Off-peak 22.60c (9pm-11am) Solar soak 17.59c (11am-4pm) Peak 47.64c (4pm-9pm) |
| PowercorVIC | 138.05 | 28.22 | 138.05 | Off-peak 22.49c (9pm-11am) Solar soak 17.26c (11am-4pm) Peak 41.67c (4pm-9pm) |
AusgridNSW
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 166.23
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 33.14
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 176.41
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 24.04c (all other hours)
Peak 60.20c (3pm-9pm, Nov-Mar and Jun-Aug only)
Endeavour EnergyNSW
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 185.13
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 33.73
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 185.13
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Peak 46.57c Nov-Mar, 47.14c Apr-Oct (4pm-8pm working weekdays)
Off-peak 35.69c (all other hours, and weekends)
Solar soak 12.35c (10am-2pm)
Essential EnergyNSW
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 272.22
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 35.01
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 272.22
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 24.14c (all other hours)
Peak 42.12c (7am-10am and 3pm-10pm)
EnergexQLD
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 192.02
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 27.97
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 177.85
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Shoulder 25.30c (9pm-11am)
Off-peak 6.98c (11am-4pm)
Peak 47.79c (4pm-9pm)
SA Power NetworksSA
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 41.91
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 180.05
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Peak 56.22c (6am-10am and 4pm-midnight)
Solar sponge 17.04c (10am-4pm)
Off-peak 32.55c (midnight-6am)
CitiPowerVIC
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 121.14
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 25.96
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 121.14
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 21.17c (9pm-11am)
Solar soak 16.59c (11am-4pm)
Peak 38.31c (4pm-9pm)
JemenaVIC
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 127.13
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 27.47
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 127.12
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 21.76c (9pm-11am)
Solar soak 17.65c (11am-4pm)
Peak 37.57c (4pm-9pm)
United EnergyVIC
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 119.12
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 27.35
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 119.12
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 22.14c (9pm-11am)
Solar soak 17.26c (11am-4pm)
Peak 40.32c (4pm-9pm)
AusNet ServicesVIC
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 128.24
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 31.98
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 128.24
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 22.60c (9pm-11am)
Solar soak 17.59c (11am-4pm)
Peak 47.64c (4pm-9pm)
PowercorVIC
- Flat: supply (c/day)
- 138.05
- Flat: usage (c/kWh)
- 28.22
- Time of use: supply (c/day)
- 138.05
- Time of use: usage (c/kWh)
- Off-peak 22.49c (9pm-11am)
Solar soak 17.26c (11am-4pm)
Peak 41.67c (4pm-9pm)
Victorian rows are the VDO flat and three-period time-of-use tariffs. The Solar Sharer and Midday Power Saver maximums are in the retailer register.
Controlled load caps
Off-peak hot water and other separately metered circuits| Network | Controlled load 1 (c/kWh) | CL1 supply (c/day) | Controlled load 2 (c/kWh) | CL2 supply (c/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AusgridNSW | 19.31 | 4.73 | 23.00 | 8.88 |
| Endeavour EnergyNSW | 20.64 | 13.89 | 22.09 | 13.89 |
| Essential EnergyNSW | 19.89 | 15.66 | 23.98 | 15.66 |
| EnergexQLD | 16.43 | 0.00 | 16.75 | 0.00 |
| SA Power NetworksSA | 22.25 | 0.00 | none | none |
AusgridNSW
- Controlled load 1 (c/kWh)
- 19.31
- CL1 supply (c/day)
- 4.73
- Controlled load 2 (c/kWh)
- 23.00
- CL2 supply (c/day)
- 8.88
Endeavour EnergyNSW
- Controlled load 1 (c/kWh)
- 20.64
- CL1 supply (c/day)
- 13.89
- Controlled load 2 (c/kWh)
- 22.09
- CL2 supply (c/day)
- 13.89
Essential EnergyNSW
- Controlled load 1 (c/kWh)
- 19.89
- CL1 supply (c/day)
- 15.66
- Controlled load 2 (c/kWh)
- 23.98
- CL2 supply (c/day)
- 15.66
EnergexQLD
- Controlled load 1 (c/kWh)
- 16.43
- CL1 supply (c/day)
- 0.00
- Controlled load 2 (c/kWh)
- 16.75
- CL2 supply (c/day)
- 0.00
SA Power NetworksSA
- Controlled load 1 (c/kWh)
- 22.25
- CL1 supply (c/day)
- 0.00
- Controlled load 2 (c/kWh)
- none
- CL2 supply (c/day)
- none
SA Power Networks also has a time-of-use controlled load cap: off-peak 28.74c, solar soak 13.95c, peak 42.16c per kWh, the only DMO region with one.
Why this matters even if you are not on it. Only about 8% of homes in DMO regions are on a standing offer. But every retailer must advertise its prices against this number, so it is the ruler every electricity ad is measured with.
How to use the reference price to judge an ad
Under the ACCC's Electricity Retail Code, retailers must present their prices and discounts as a percentage compared with the reference price: the DMO where it applies, the VDO in Victoria. So "20% less than the reference price" on Ausgrid means a flat-rate plan priced at about $1,519 a year at 3,900 kWh, against the $1,899 reference price.
Three checks before you believe it:
- Is your usage close to the assumption? The reference price is a bill at the AER's usage for your network. If you use far more or far less, or mostly in the evening, the percentage can flatter or understate a plan.
- Is the discount conditional? A percentage that depends on paying on time or by direct debit is only real if you always do.
- When does it end? From 1 July 2026, when a plan's benefits expire you cannot be charged more than the reference price, and market prices can rise at most once every 12 months.
Then cost the plan at your own usage. Our guide to comparing electricity plans shows how, and the state pages (NSW, Queensland, SA, Victoria) apply it network by network.
The Solar Sharer Offer is part of the DMO
For the first time, the 2026-27 DMO also sets maximum prices for the Solar Sharer Offer, the free midday power plan. Its annual price equals the time-of-use price by design: a home with the AER's typical pattern that moves nothing pays the same, and anything moved into the free hours lowers the bill against the time-of-use reference. To get there, the AER priced the other hours 1 to 4 cents per kWh above the time-of-use caps. Whether that beats your plan is a question for the savings calculator.
What makes up the price
The AER's cost stack across DMO regions: wholesale energy 30-41%, network charges 39-54%, environmental schemes 2-3% and retail costs 7-16%. In Victoria the ESC put the 2026-27 fall down to lower environmental, wholesale and residential network costs, partly offset by retail operating costs rising with inflation.
Timeline
- 19 March 2026: AER draft DMO 2026-27, including draft Solar Sharer tariffs.
- 20 May 2026: ESC final decision on the Victorian Default Offer 2026-27.
- 26 May 2026: AER final determination.
- 1 July 2026: new prices apply, and the Solar Sharer Offer starts.
- Before 1 December 2026: the AER must publish a DMO guideline, including its Solar Sharer design approach.
- 1 July 2027: next reset (DMO 9). The Solar Sharer design may be adjusted.
Common questions
What is the Default Market Offer?
It is a price cap set each year by the Australian Energy Regulator for standing offer customers in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia. It is also the reference price retailers must compare their plans against in advertising. Victoria has its own equivalent, the Victorian Default Offer, set by the Essential Services Commission.
Did the Default Market Offer go down for 2026-27?
Mostly. Flat-rate residential prices fell -3.4% to -5.0% in NSW and -7.2% in South East Queensland, but rose +1.4% in South Australia. The Victorian Default Offer fell 5% on average.
Am I on the Default Market Offer?
Only if you are on a standing offer, which is about 8% of homes in DMO regions. Most people are on a market offer with the retailer's own prices. If you are on a standing offer, it is worth comparing: see how to compare plans.
When does the next Default Market Offer start?
The next reset is 1 July 2027. For 2026-27 the AER published its draft on 19 March 2026 and its final determination on 26 May 2026, so expect the 2027-28 figures in the first half of 2027. The AER must also publish a DMO guideline, including its approach to the Solar Sharer Offer, before 1 December 2026.
Sources
- AER, Default Market Offer 2026-27 final determination (annual prices and tariff caps), checked 17 October 2026
- AER, Default Market Offer 2026-27 information kit, checked 17 October 2026
- AER, news release: final Default Market Offer 2026-27, checked 17 October 2026
- ESC, Victorian Default Offer 2026-27 final decision paper, checked 17 October 2026
- ESC, Victorian Default Offer 2026-27 price determination (flat and time-of-use tariffs), checked 17 October 2026
- ACCC, rules for electricity retailers (Electricity Retail Code, reference price comparisons), checked 17 October 2026
- AEMC, Improving consumer confidence in retail energy plans, final determination (from 1 July 2026), checked 17 October 2026
- Minister for Climate Change and Energy, media release 19 March 2026 (draft DMO and Solar Sharer), checked 17 October 2026