does switchwise show offers from all suppliers?
Switchwise enables you to compare a range of electricity, gas and dual-fuel offers from energy retailers operating in your suburb. We endeavour to display at least one offer from each retailer, however, we do not display every offer available from every retailer. Switchwise does not enable comparisons for customers residing in buildings connected to an embedded network nor for customers with prepayment meters as both sets of customers are not easily able to switch to another retailer.
Switchwise is only able to process a transfer to another supplier if we have a commercial agreement with that supplier. At present there are nine energy retailers to which you can switch or connect via the Switchwise website. We are working hard to add as many new suppliers as possible.
how can you trust switchwise's results?
As mentioned above currently Switchwise has commercial agreements with many energy retailers (see the list here), each one of them competing to win your business. Although we have always prided ourselves on transparency rest assured that these retailers keep a close watch to make sure that our information is accurate and up-to-date.
All the tariff information used in our calculations is sourced either directly from the energy retailers themselves or from information published on energy retailers' websites or in state government gazettes.
The Switchwise calculator has been tested to ensure that accurate cost and savings estimates are shown in our results based upon the information you tell us about your home energy supply and usage profile. Our calculations are consistent across all retailers. Clicking on any plan shown in the search results will show exactly what has been included and what has been excluded from the cost and savings calculations.
setting electricity and gas prices
There are numerous factors that determine the cost of your gas and electricity. These include the types of meter you have at your home (e.g. peak and off-peak), the time of day that you use the gas or electricity, whether or not you choose renewable energy, where you live in Australia and of course, how much energy you use.
estimated bills
Usually your quarterly electricity bill and bi-monthly gas bill will be based upon an actual meter read - this involves someone visiting your property and reading the meter. However, in some circumstances you might receive a bill with an estimated meter read. This might occur for the following reasons:
- The meter read data might have been lost
- The meter reader was unable to access your meter (e.g. if it is behind a locked gate or inside a building and you were not home at the time the meter reader visited)
- The meter may have been misread and showed your usage as abnormally high or low, so the reading was ignored.
You don't need to worry about estimated meter reads. If you have overpaid or underpaid your next bill will be adjusted accordingly based upon the next actual meter read. If you feel the estimated meter read has resulted in an unusually high bill we suggest you contact your supplier and, if possible, provide them with the current meter reading yourself.
billing errors
If you believe you have received an incorrect bill the first step is to contact your energy supplier and explain to them the reasons for your concern. This should hopefully clear up the misunderstanding. However, if the problem cannot be resolved you should take the matter to the Energy Ombudsman in your State or Territory.
keeping energy concessions
If you change supplier you can keep receiving any energy concessions to which you are entitled.