Before you compare plans, confirm you are a "market" customer and not inside an embedded network. In a standard apartment, each unit has its own meter and its own account, and you can pick any retailer that services your distribution area. In an embedded network, the whole building is metered as one connection and the body corporate or an operator on-sells power to each unit, which usually limits or removes your choice of retailer.
The quick test: is your bill from a retailer you recognise (or could look up), addressed to you, with your own meter number? If yes, you can compare and switch. If you pay the building manager or a single operator a rate set by them, read our embedded networks guide first, because the advice below assumes you have real choice.
What makes apartment plans different
Apartments and units typically use less electricity than freestanding houses. There is usually no gas connection for some households, less floor area to heat and cool, and shared walls that hold temperature better. Lower usage sounds like it should always mean a lower bill, but it changes which plan is cheapest: the daily supply charge becomes a much larger proportion of your total, so a plan with a low supply charge often beats one with a slightly lower usage rate.
You also generally cannot install your own rooftop solar. The roof is common property controlled by the strata scheme (there are shared-solar options for apartments, but they need a collective decision). That means the feed-in tariff, which is a big deciding factor for houses, is usually irrelevant to your plan choice unless the building has shared solar. Instead, focus on the supply charge, the usage rate and whether a time-of-use or single-rate structure suits your hours at home.
Because you cannot self-generate, the raw price you pay per kWh matters more than for a solar household. A whole-of-market comparison on your real usage is the most reliable way to find the cheapest plan, rather than trusting a single advertised rate.
No solar? Here's where to focus
Prioritise a low daily supply charge, because your smaller usage makes that fixed fee a big share of the bill.
Decide single-rate vs time-of-use honestly: if you are out all day and use power mainly in the evening peak, a flat single rate can beat a time-of-use plan.
Ignore feed-in tariffs unless your building has shared solar. They will not apply to a standard unit.
Watch for conditional discounts that require pay-on-time or direct debit, and only count them if you will reliably meet the conditions.
Upload a recent bill and compare the whole market on your actual usage, so the winner reflects your evenings-and-weekends pattern rather than a marketing average.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my own electricity plan in an apartment?
In a standard apartment with its own meter and account, yes, you can choose any retailer serving your area. In an embedded network, where the building is metered as one and on-sells power, your choice may be limited. Check your bill to tell which you are in.
Why is my apartment bill high if I use so little power?
Because the daily supply charge is a fixed fee you pay regardless of usage. In a low-usage home it can be half the bill or more, so a plan with a low supply charge often matters more than a low usage rate.
Should I bother with a time-of-use plan in a unit?
Only if you can shift real usage into off-peak times, or you are home during the cheaper daytime shoulder. Many apartment dwellers are out all day and use power in the evening peak, where a simple single-rate plan can be cheaper. Compare both on your usage.
Can I put solar on my apartment?
Not on your own. The roof is common property managed by the strata scheme. Some buildings install shared or embedded-network solar that benefits all units. Otherwise, feed-in tariffs are not part of your plan decision.
What's the easiest way to find the cheapest apartment plan?
Upload a recent bill and run a whole-of-market comparison on your real usage. EnergySorted costs every plan's supply charge and usage rates against how you actually use power for a flat annual fee, without taking retailer commissions, so the ranking is built around your bill rather than an ad.
What's the average electricity bill for an apartment?
Apartments usually sit below the average freestanding house because there is less area to heat and cool, but the fixed supply charge means the bill is rarely tiny. Our guide to the average electricity bill in Australia gives realistic ranges by household size and state so you can sanity-check yours.
What is the daily supply charge and why does it hit apartments harder?
It is a fixed fee (in cents per day) you pay just for being connected, regardless of how much power you use. In a low-usage unit it can be half your bill or more, so a low supply charge often beats a low usage rate. Our guide to understanding your electricity bill breaks down every line item.
Can I claim energy rebates or concessions living in an apartment?
Yes. Rebates generally follow the account holder and their eligibility (such as a concession card), not the type of dwelling. It is worth checking our rebates and concessions guide, because plenty of apartment residents never claim what they qualify for.
My apartment is in an embedded network. Can I still switch?
Your retailer choice may be limited, but you are still protected by a price cap and can often request supply from an outside retailer. Read our embedded networks guide to check whether going on-market is worth the effort in your building.
How do I check how much power my apartment actually uses?
Your bill shows total kWh for the period, and you can read the meter yourself between bills to track it. Our guide on how to read your electricity meter explains the different meter types, which also tells you whether you are on single-rate or time-of-use.
Can I charge an EV on my apartment electricity plan?
If you have access to a power point at your space and your own meter, yes, though building rules and shared parking can complicate it. Some plans offer cheap overnight windows made for it, covered in our guide to the best electricity plans for EV owners.
General information only, current at the time of writing. Not financial advice. Rebate schemes and rules
change; always confirm details with your retailer or state government energy site.
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