Daylight Saving Time in Australia: What You Need to Know
Daylight savings occur twice a year. Clocks go forward. Then they go back. And every time, people ask the same
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How Electricity Works in Australia
Electricity reaches your home through a series of steps that most people never see.
It begins at power stations, where electricity is produced using sources such as coal, gas, wind, solar, and water. From there, electricity travels across transmission lines to local networks. These networks use poles and wires to deliver power to homes and businesses.
You do not deal with these systems directly. You deal with an electricity retailer. The retailer sets your plan, sends your bill, and manages your account. Switching retailers changes the price you pay, not the electricity coming into your home.
The Energy Market
The National Electricity Market started in December 1998. It is the main wholesale electricity market in Australia and covers about 80 percent of the country’s electricity. It connects Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania across a network that runs for about 4,500 kilometres. Electricity is bought and sold through a central system based on supply and demand.
The market came from reforms in the 1990s. Before that, electricity was run by state systems. The changes opened the market and separated generation, networks, and retail. Some government assets were also sold during this time.
The competitive setup means different generators produce electricity instead of a single source. They compete on price, which can help keep wholesale costs lower. Retailers then buy this electricity and offer plans to consumers.Â
In 2004, the system moved to a national framework under the Australian Energy Market Agreement. Since then, more renewable energy and battery storage have been added to the system.
The market is managed by the Australian Energy Market Operator. It matches supply with demand by scheduling generation in short time periods. The NEM remains one of the longest connected electricity systems in the world.
Retailers and Distributors in the Market
Electricity distributors handle the network. They own and maintain the poles, wires, and meters that deliver electricity to your property. You cannot choose your distributor. It is assigned based on where you are located and does not change.
Retailers are the companies you deal with. They buy electricity and sell it to you. They set the rates, manage your plan, and send your bill. This is the part you can choose. You can switch retailers if you find a better option. If there’s a power outage, the distributor fixes it. If you have a billing or plan issue, your retailer handles it.
| Providers | Cover Areas |
|---|---|
| Ausgrid | Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter (NSW) |
| Endeavour Energy | Western Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra (NSW) |
| Essential Energy | Regional and rural NSW |
| Powercor | Western Victoria |
| CitiPower | Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs United Energy: Southern Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula |
| AusNet | Eastern and northern Victoria |
| Jemena | Northern and north-west Melbourne |
| SA Power Networks | South Australia |
| Energex | South East Queensland |
| Ergon Energy | Regional Queensland |
