Standing Offer vs Market Offer
Most Australians are on a standing offer and they do not know it. It is the default plan your retailer puts you on when your old plan expires. Standing offers are capped by the government but the cap is high. Switching to a market offer saves $200-500/year for most households.
The Difference in Real Numbers (NSW, 2026)
| Offer Type | Usage c/kWh | Supply c/day | Annual Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Offer (AGL) | 33.5 | 115.0 | $1,810 | Baseline |
| DMO Reference Price | 31.0 | 110.0 | $1,685 | -$125 |
| Market Offer (AGL Value Saver) | 28.2 | 108.5 | $1,560 | -$250 |
| Market Offer (Alinta HomeDeal) | 25.5 | 95.0 | $1,355 | -$455 |
Ausgrid network, single rate, 4,800 kWh/year. June 2026. Standing offer rates vary by retailer.
How to Check If You Are on a Standing Offer
Look at your latest bill. Find the plan name. If it says "Standing Offer", "Default Offer", "Standard Retail Contract", or just has a generic name like "Residential Anytime", you are probably on a standing offer. Market offers have names like "Value Saver", "HomeDeal", or "Go Variable". If your bill has not changed plan name in 2+ years, you are almost definitely on a standing offer.
The Bottom Line
If you do one thing after reading this, check whether your current plan is a standing offer or a market offer. If it is a standing offer, you are overpaying. Switching to a market offer with the same retailer takes 5 minutes online. Switching to a different retailer takes 10. The $400/year you save is the easiest money you will make all year.