VIC · State guide

Victorian electricity rules are different from the rest of Australia. Your Coach knows the VDO framework.

Victoria runs its own regulatory system — the Victorian Default Offer (VDO), set by the Essential Services Commission. Smart meters are universal. Retailer competition is aggressive. Upload your bill and your Coach reads it in the Victorian context.

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What makes Victorian electricity different?

Victoria operates outside the AER's Default Market Offer framework that applies in NSW, SE QLD, and SA. Instead, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) sets the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) — the price cap for standing offers in Victoria. The VDO is reviewed annually.

Five distribution networks cover Victoria: CitiPower (inner Melbourne), Powercor (western Victoria and outer Melbourne), AusNet (eastern Victoria), Jemena (north-west Melbourne), and United Energy (south-east Melbourne). All Victorian households have smart meters — Victoria mandated the rollout earlier than other states.

Retailer competition is aggressive in Victoria. Major retailers compete with several Victoria-only or Victoria-focused brands. Switching is generally available across all networks — your Coach checks for the cheapest plan available at your specific address.

What are common issues on Victorian bills?

Because all Victorian households have smart meters, time-of-use (TOU) tariffs are widely available. Many households are on TOU plans without realising it — and may be using power during the most expensive peak windows. Your Coach reads your bill's interval data and tells you whether your usage pattern fits your tariff.

Victorian households also frequently miss out on the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, which subsidises energy-efficient appliance upgrades. Your Coach flags whether you're eligible and how to claim.

What rebates are available for Victorian households?

Victoria offers the Annual Electricity Concession (a percentage discount on usage and supply charges for concession card holders), the Utility Relief Grant (one-off support for households facing disconnection due to financial hardship), and the Power Saving Bonus (eligibility and current round status vary — check energy.vic.gov.au).

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) scheme provides rebates on energy-efficient appliances and home upgrades. Your Coach screens all applicable Victorian rebates and incentives as part of the $29 Bill Action Plan.

Verify current amounts and eligibility at energy.vic.gov.au. See the full list of rebates by state on the BillDecoder rebates page.

Victoria electricity questions

What's the VDO and how is it different from the DMO?
The Victorian Default Offer (VDO) is set by the Victorian Essential Services Commission and applies only in Victoria. The Default Market Offer (DMO) is set by the AER and applies in NSW, SE QLD, and SA. Both cap standing offer prices, but the methodology and amounts differ.
Do all Victorian homes have smart meters?
Yes. Victoria mandated the smart meter rollout, so essentially all Victorian households have an interval meter. This means time-of-use tariffs are widely available, and your bill includes detailed usage data your Coach can analyse.
Should I switch retailers in Victoria?
Often yes. Retailer competition is strong in Victoria, and many households on standing offers (priced at the VDO) are paying significantly more than they need to. Your Coach checks current plans against what you're paying.
What's the Power Saving Bonus?
A periodic Victorian Government payment to help households offset bills. Eligibility and current round status are published at energy.vic.gov.au. Your Coach checks whether the current round is open when you upload your bill.

Other state guides

NSW · QLD · SA · TAS

Also see: What your Coach covers · All rebates by state · Bill guides · Energy Made Easy

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State energy market information current as of 24 April 2026. Verify specific rates and regulations at aer.gov.au.

Last updated: 24 April 2026