Every electricity discount has an expiry date. It's called the benefit period, and when it ends, your rates jump \u2014 often by 20\u201330%. Your retailer won't warn you. They won't send a reminder. They're counting on the fact that most people never check. This is one of the most common ways Australians end up overpaying for electricity.
The good news: this is completely preventable. These four steps take less than 30 minutes total and can save you $200\u2013$500 per year. The key is acting before the expiry date, not after.
Your electricity discount has an expiry date — it's called the benefit period. When it ends, your rates jump to the retailer's standard price, which can be 20–30% higher. The benefit period end date is on your bill, usually in the fine print or the plan details section. If you can't find it, call your retailer and ask: "When does my current benefit period end?" Or upload your bill to BillDecoder — we highlight the benefit period automatically and flag it if it's ending soon.
Two weeks before your benefit period ends, call your retailer and say: "My benefit period is ending on [date]. What's the best rate you can offer me to stay?" Retailers almost always have a retention offer that's better than what you'll roll onto. They'd rather keep you at a discounted rate than lose you to a competitor. Be direct — ask for the specific per-kWh rate and daily supply charge, not just a percentage discount. If their offer isn't competitive, tell them you'll switch. They'll often come back with something better.
Negotiation works better when you have numbers. Before you call your retailer, spend five minutes on Energy Made Easy (the government's free comparison tool) or upload your bill to BillDecoder to see what the market rate is. When you can say "I've seen an offer from [retailer] at [rate] per kWh — can you match that?", the conversation changes completely. You're no longer asking for a favour. You're making an informed decision, and your retailer knows it.
Discounts expire silently. Your retailer won't call you to warn you. They won't send a reminder email. They're counting on you forgetting, because every month you stay on the post-discount rate is money in their pocket. Set a calendar reminder for two weeks before your benefit period ends. If you just negotiated a new 12-month deal, set the reminder for 11.5 months from now. This one small habit can save you hundreds of dollars every year for the rest of your life.
The electricity market is designed to reward people who pay attention and penalise those who don't. A benefit period expiry is the single most common way retailers quietly increase your rates. But now you know \u2014 and a calendar reminder is all it takes to never fall for it again.
Want to check your benefit period right now?
Upload your bill and BillDecoder will find your benefit period end date, your current rates, and whether you're getting a good deal.
Analyse your bill freeWhat happens if I miss the expiry date?
You'll automatically roll onto your retailer's standard rate, which is almost always higher than the discounted rate you were on. There's no notification. You won't realise until your next bill arrives and it's 20–30% more expensive. If this has already happened to you, call your retailer today — they can often apply a new discount retroactively or from the next billing period.
How often do discounts expire?
Most benefit periods last 12 months, though some are 24 months. After the benefit period ends, you're typically moved to the retailer's current standard rate. Some plans have a second-year rate that's still discounted but less generous than the first year.
Can I switch retailers if my current one won't offer a good deal?
Yes, and it takes about 10 minutes online. Switching retailers doesn't affect your electricity supply — the same poles and wires deliver your power regardless of who bills you. There's no interruption, no installation, and usually no exit fee on market offers. The new retailer handles the switch.
Last updated: March 2026