Understanding when electricity is cheapest in Australia is crucial for managing your household budget in 2026. While exact times and rates vary by state, network distributor, and energy retailer, the general rule is to shift your high-energy consumption to off-peak periods, typically late at night and into the early morning, or utilise the new “Solar Soak” and “Solar Sharer” windows during the day.
From 1 July 2026, many Australian households on default offers in New South Wales and South East Queensland saw electricity prices fall by 3.4% to 10.7%, while Victorian Default Offer (VDO) prices decreased by an average of 5% for residential customers. South Australia, however, experienced a modest 1.4% increase for flat-rate default market offer (DMO) customers, though time-of-use (TOU) customers in SA also saw reductions.
These shifts are largely driven by a significant 44% year-on-year fall in wholesale electricity costs, thanks to increased renewable energy generation and battery storage, which has largely offset rising network charges. However, many retailers are adjusting their tariff structures, often increasing fixed daily supply charges while lowering usage rates, making it more important than ever to understand your specific plan.
“From 1 July 2026, the Default Market Offer fell for most residential customers in NSW and South East Queensland, while South Australia’s flat-rate DMO rose modestly. Victoria uses its own default offer. Your bill may move differently because market-plan rates, supply charges, tariff type and household usage still determine what you pay.”
Understanding Peak, Shoulder, and Off-Peak
Electricity tariffs are generally categorised into three periods on a Time-of-Use (TOU) plan, which requires a smart meter for accurate billing:
- Peak: The most expensive period, when demand on the grid is highest, typically during weekday afternoons and evenings.
- Shoulder: Moderately priced periods outside of peak, often covering mornings and late evenings.
- Off-Peak: The cheapest period, usually overnight and sometimes during the middle of the day when demand is lowest or solar generation is abundant.
Choosing a TOU tariff can lead to significant savings if you can adjust your energy habits. For example, running a washing machine during off-peak hours could cost less than half the price of running it during peak.
State-by-State Breakdown of Cheapest Electricity Times 2026
Here’s a guide to typical peak, shoulder, and off-peak times and indicative rates across Australia. Always check your specific bill or retailer’s fact sheet as timings and rates can vary by network distributor and individual plan.
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW electricity prices on standing offers can see peak rates around 65-70 c/kWh and off-peak as low as 20-30 c/kWh.
| Period | Summer (Nov-Mar) Weekdays | Winter (Jun-Aug) Weekdays | Weekends | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 2pm – 8pm | 5pm – 9pm | No Peak | 65-70 |
| Shoulder | 7am – 2pm & 8pm – 10pm | 7am – 5pm & 9pm – 10pm | 7am – 10pm | 35-45 |
| Off-Peak | 10pm – 7am | 10pm – 7am | All Day (10pm-7am) | 20-30 |
- Retailer Variations: AGL’s peak can be 2pm-8pm daily, with no separate shoulder rate on some plans. EnergyAustralia offers seasonal TOU. GloBird Energy has a wider peak window of 3pm-9pm daily.
- DMO Impact: Residential flat rates fell 3.4% to 5.0%; TOU customers saw reductions of 3.7% to 7.7%.
- Solar Sharer Offer: From 1 July 2026, major retailers (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia) offer three hours of free electricity from 11am to 2pm daily, capped at 24 kWh, for smart meter customers.
Victoria (VIC)
The 2026-27 Victorian Default Offer (VDO) introduced a new “Solar Soak” period, reflecting abundant daytime solar generation. Average residential VDO bills decreased by 5% from 1 July 2026.
| Period | Times (Daily) | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm – 9pm | 38-48 |
| Off-Peak | 9pm – 11am | 21-23 |
| Solar Soak | 11am – 4pm | 17-19 |
- VDO Rates (e.g., Citipower): Peak ~38c/kWh, Off-peak ~21c/kWh, Solar Soak ~17c/kWh.
- Retailer Variations: Some retailers, like Red Energy, have rebranded this as a “Smart Rate” (11am-4pm) with their own Evening Peak (4pm-9pm) and Off-Peak (all other times).
Queensland (QLD) – South East Queensland (Energex/Ergon Energy)
South East Queensland residential flat-rate DMO prices fell by 7.2%, with TOU customers seeing reductions of 10.7%.
| Period | Times (Daily) | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm – 9pm | 35-45 |
| Shoulder | 9pm – 11am | 25-35 |
| Sun Soaker (Cheapest) | 11am – 4pm | 20-30 |
- Solar Sharer Offer: Similar to NSW, major retailers offer three hours of free electricity from 11am to 2pm daily.
South Australia (SA)
SA continues to have some of the highest electricity rates in Australia, with competitive market offers for flat rates often between 34-40 c/kWh. While flat-rate DMO prices increased by 1.4% ($33 annually), TOU customers saw reductions of 1.1% from 1 July 2026.
| Period | Times (Daily) | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | 6am – 10am & 4pm – 12am | 40-50 |
| Solar Sponge (Shoulder) | 10am – 4pm | 30-40 |
| Off-Peak | 12am – 6am | 25-35 |
- Solar Sharer Offer: Major retailers offer three hours of free electricity from 12pm to 3pm daily.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
ACT offers some of the cheapest overall electricity rates nationally. ActewAGL’s standard plans for 2026 show varying TOU structures.
| Period | Times (Daily - Example Plan) | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am – 9am & 5pm – 9pm | 45-50 |
| Shoulder | 9am – 11am & 3pm – 5pm & 9pm – 7am | 30-33 |
| Off-Peak | 11am – 3pm | 16-18 |
- ActewAGL Daytime Economy plan (from 1 July 2026): Peak 49.94c/kWh, Shoulder 32.95c/kWh, Off-peak 17.60c/kWh.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania’s market is regulated by the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, with Aurora Energy and Solstice Energy being key retailers.
| Period | AEST Weekdays | ADST Weekdays | Weekends | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am – 10am & 4pm – 9pm | 8am – 11am & 4pm – 10pm | No Peak | 35-38 |
| Off-Peak | 10am – 4pm & 9pm – 7am | 11am – 5pm & 10pm – 8am | All Day | 16-21 |
| Super Off-Peak | 12am – 4am (TAS97 only) | 12am – 4am (TAS97 only) | 12am – 4am (TAS97 only) | 10-11 |
- Solstice Energy TAS93 (from 14 July 2026): Peak 35.83c/kWh, Off-peak 16.85c/kWh.
- Solstice Energy TAS97 (Consumer Energy Resources, from 14 July 2026): Peak 37.98c/kWh, Off-peak 20.91c/kWh, Super Off-peak 10.23c/kWh. This tariff is specifically suited for customers with home batteries or electric vehicles.
Western Australia (WA)
WA operates outside the National Electricity Market (NEM), with Synergy setting regulated tariffs. The Synergy A1 tariff typically has a usage rate of approximately 31 c/kWh and a daily supply charge of around 107 c/day in 2026. While TOU plans are available, specific 2026 peak/off-peak rates were not detailed in the search results but generally involve higher rates during evening hours.
Northern Territory (NT)
The NT also operates independently of the NEM, primarily served by Jacana Energy.
| Period | Times (Daily) | Indicative Rate (c/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | 3pm – 9am | 28-31 |
| Off-Peak (Cheapest) | 9am – 3pm | 20-25 |
- Rates: Indicative usage rates range from 28-31 c/kWh, with daily supply charges between $0.75-$0.95.
Strategies to Maximise Savings in 2026
- Understand Your Tariff: Check your latest electricity bill or contact your retailer to confirm your current tariff type (flat rate, time-of-use, or demand). If you have a smart meter, a TOU plan is likely to offer the best savings potential. If you’re on a standing offer, compare it against market offers; market offers are often 10-25% cheaper.
- Shift Usage: Run high-consumption appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and pool pumps during off-peak or solar soak periods. Many modern appliances have delay-start functions. This can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
- Embrace Solar and Batteries: If you have solar panels, maximise self-consumption during the day. Consider a home battery to store excess solar for use during peak evening hours, avoiding expensive grid electricity entirely. This strategy can significantly reduce reliance on the grid and save you thousands. For more insights, read our guide: Is a Home Battery Retrofit Worth It in Australia 2026? Costs, Rebates & 3-4 Year Paybacks.
- Join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP): If you have a home battery, joining a VPP can earn you additional income by allowing your battery to support grid stability during peak demand. This can boost your annual savings by up to $1,500. Learn more here: Join a VPP in 2026: Earn Up To $1,500 Annually & Boost Grid Stability.
- Utilise the Solar Sharer Offer: If you have a smart meter and are in NSW, SE QLD, or SA, take advantage of the new three hours of free daytime electricity offered by major retailers. Even without solar panels, you can use this window to run appliances at no cost.
- Compare Retailers Regularly: Energy market offers change frequently. Use government comparison websites like Energy Made Easy (for NSW, QLD, SA, ACT, TAS) or Victorian Energy Compare (for VIC) to find the best deal for your specific usage patterns.
Bottom Line
The cheapest electricity times in Australia in 2026 are predominantly overnight (typically 10pm-7am) and, increasingly, during the middle of the day (e.g., 11am-4pm), thanks to abundant solar generation. By understanding your state’s specific peak, shoulder, and off-peak periods, especially the new ‘Solar Soak’ and ‘Solar Sharer’ windows, you can strategically shift your energy use and significantly reduce your annual electricity bills. Proactive comparison of market offers and investing in smart energy technologies like solar and batteries remain the most effective long-term strategies to combat rising energy costs.
For most households, the goal should be to minimise consumption during peak evening hours when rates can be 2-3 times higher than off-peak. Regularly reviewing your energy plan and adapting your usage habits to align with cheaper periods can lead to substantial savings, often hundreds of dollars per year. Don’t be afraid to switch providers if a better market offer emerges, as competition remains strong across most states.