Many Australian households are now on a time-of-use or flexible pricing plan rather than a flat rate, meaning the price per kilowatt-hour changes depending on when electricity is used. This page is general information only.
How time-of-use pricing works
Usage is typically split into peak (usually late afternoon to evening), off-peak (overnight), and sometimes shoulder periods, with peak rates significantly higher than off-peak — the exact windows vary by network and state.
Who tends to benefit
Households that can shift usage — running appliances like dishwashers or washing machines overnight, or charging an electric vehicle off-peak — can generally benefit from time-of-use pricing, while households with high evening usage that can't shift may end up paying more than on a flat rate.
Smart meters
Time-of-use pricing generally requires a smart meter, which most Australian homes now have or are progressively receiving — check with your distributor if you're unsure whether yours has one.
Key takeaways
Before switching to a time-of-use plan, look at when your household actually uses the most electricity — it isn't automatically cheaper for every household.