Australia Energy Guide

Electricity costs change with time.

Understand time-of-use and demand tariffs, how peak periods affect your electricity bill, and how solar and batteries can help manage when you use power.

Example daily pricing Indicative only
Off-peak
Peak
Shoulder
Lower cost Higher cost Mid-range
Exact tariff periods vary by retailer, network area, season, weekday and weekend.
01 / Time-of-use

The same electricity can cost more or less depending on when you use it.

A time-of-use tariff charges different electricity usage rates at different times. Peak periods are generally the most expensive, off-peak periods are cheaper, and some plans include a shoulder period between them.

Exact times can vary by retailer, network area, season, weekday and weekend.

Timing becomes part of your energy strategy. Moving flexible electricity use away from expensive periods can reduce the amount of electricity purchased at higher rates.
02 / Demand charges

One short spike can matter.

Demand tariffs work differently from ordinary usage charges. Instead of simply measuring how much energy you consume, they can charge based on the highest rate of electricity draw during defined intervals.

Example household demand Power draw · kW
6am
8am
10am
12pm
3pm
5pm
6pm
7pm
9pm
Peak demand

Multiple appliances can create a costly peak.

Running an EV charger, air conditioner, oven, hot water system and other high-power appliances at the same time can create a short period of high grid demand.

03 / Who may benefit?

Flexibility can become a financial advantage.

Time-of-use pricing may work well for households that can shift significant energy consumption away from expensive periods.

Flexible households

Households that can move substantial usage away from evening peak periods.

Battery owners

Programmable batteries can charge during lower-cost periods and discharge later.

EV owners

Electric vehicles can often be charged overnight or during suitable lower-cost windows.

Timer-equipped homes

Hot water, pool pumps and appliances can be scheduled around tariff periods.

04 / Managing demand

Avoid creating the peak in the first place.

01

Stagger appliances

Avoid running multiple high-power appliances simultaneously during demand windows.

02

Manage EV charging

Schedule EV charging outside expensive or high-demand periods where practical.

03

Shift hot water

Use timers and suitable control settings to avoid unnecessary peak demand.

04

Battery peak shaving

A battery may discharge during demand periods where technically and financially suitable.

05

Monitor usage

Use interval data through your retailer portal or energy monitoring system.

05 / Solar + battery

Solar can reduce imports. A battery can help shift when you use energy.

Solar can reduce grid imports during daylight hours, but it may not automatically reduce an evening demand peak. A correctly configured battery can discharge during peak or demand periods and may charge from solar or lower-cost electricity.

  • Charge from solar during the day
  • Store energy for later use
  • Discharge during peak periods
  • Potentially charge during off-peak periods
  • Manage demand where technically suitable
06 / Before switching

Don't switch tariffs based on the headline rate.

Review your actual household consumption and the complete tariff structure before making a change.

01
Review interval usage Look at at least several months of actual electricity usage data.
02
Compare supply charges Check daily supply charges as well as usage rates.
03
Confirm tariff windows Check exact peak, shoulder, off-peak and demand periods.
04
Model seasonal behaviour Consider weekends, seasonal changes and work-from-home patterns.
05
Check future flexibility Confirm whether moving away from the tariff later requires a meter or retailer change.
07 / Frequently asked

Your tariff questions, answered.

Tariff structures vary between retailers and networks, so always check the current terms of your electricity plan.

No. Time-of-use changes the price per kilowatt-hour depending on the time of day. A demand tariff adds a charge based on the highest rate of electricity draw during specified intervals.
Time-based and demand tariffs generally require interval metering, usually a smart meter.
A battery may reduce peak demand, but the result depends on inverter power, battery state of charge, household load and how the tariff calculates demand.
Not necessarily. Solar generation is generally strongest during daylight hours, while some expensive peak periods occur later in the day. Battery storage can help shift solar energy into later periods.
Solar Link Australia

Turn your electricity usage data into a smarter energy strategy.

Solar Link Australia can review interval data and design a battery system around peak avoidance, off-peak charging and demand management.

Explore your options Find out whether solar and battery storage could work for your tariff. Get Your Personalised Quote
Important information

Government programs, retailer offers, tariffs and eligibility rules can change. Customers should confirm current terms before signing a contract or making an investment decision.

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