Why Tasmanian bills have numbers on them
A Tasmanian electricity bill lists each part of your usage against a tariff number: 31, 41, 93 and so on. Each number is a separate price for a separate kind of use, and many homes have two of them on the same bill. Knowing which you are on is the first step to knowing whether you are paying more than you need to.
Most Tasmanian homes buy from Aurora Energy, which held about 92 per cent of the market in 2024-25. Its standing offer prices are regulated by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, and they are the prices most households pay.
The residential tariffs, one by one
- Tariff 31: Residential light and power
- The long-standing general-purpose tariff for lights, appliances and power points, at one price at any time of day. Closed to new connections; homes already on it can stay.
- Tariff 32: Residential flat rate
- The current flat-rate residential tariff: one usage price at any time of day, plus a daily supply charge.
- Tariff 41: Residential heating and hot water
- A separately metered circuit for heating and hot water, at a lower price than tariff 31. It sits alongside tariff 31 on the same bill, which is why many older homes show both. Closed to new connections.
- Tariff 61: Off-peak with afternoon boost
- An off-peak tariff for appliances such as storage hot water, with a top-up period in the afternoon. Closed to new connections.
- Tariff 93: Residential time of use
- Different prices at different times. Under the regulator’s published periods, peak during standard time is 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm on weekdays; other times are off-peak. Requires a smart meter.
What changed on 1 July 2026
Tasmania went against the national trend. While regulated prices fell in most of the mainland, Aurora Energy’s regulated prices rose by an average of 4.23 per cent from 1 July 2026. The regulator estimated that a typical household on the flat-rate tariffs (31 with 41) would pay $108 more a year, about $2,430 in total, and a typical household on time-of-use tariff 93 would pay $113 more, about $2,444.
Almost all of the rise came from higher network charges, and the regulator noted that tariff restructuring would generally increase daily supply charges and reduce usage charges. Low-usage households feel that more than large ones. See why supply charges are rising.
Solar households got a small increase: the regulated feed-in tariff rose by 5.6 per cent.
Flat rate or time of use: which is cheaper?
On a time-of-use tariff like 93, you pay more for power used in the morning and evening peaks and less at other times. It suits households that can run heating, hot water, washing and dishwashing outside the peaks, and those with solar or a battery that cover the peak hours. It can cost more for households that are home and using power mostly in the morning and evening, which in a Tasmanian winter is a lot of households.
The regulator’s typical-household figures for the flat and time-of-use tariffs land within about $15 of each other, which tells you that neither is cheaper for everyone. The only way to know is to price your own year of usage on both. See time of use vs single rate for how to think about it.
If you are on tariffs that are now closed to new connections, you can stay on them. But if you move to another tariff, you generally cannot move back, so check the numbers before you change.
Checking your own bill
Find the tariff numbers on your bill and the kilowatt-hours charged against each. If you see a tariff code not covered here, the regulator’s current price schedule lists every one, and your retailer can confirm which applies to your home.
Then cost your options. On 28 October 2026 our catalogue held 147 Tasmanian electricity plans from four retailers. Upload a bill and we cost every one available at your address on your real usage and rank them by your annual total. If Aurora’s standing offer is already your cheapest option, you will see that too. For the wider picture, see electricity prices in Tasmania and Tasmanian energy rebates.
Frequently asked questions
What is tariff 31 in Tasmania?
The long-standing residential light and power tariff: one price for general household use at any time of day. It is closed to new connections, but homes already on it can stay.
What is tariff 41?
A separately metered tariff for heating and hot water, cheaper than tariff 31. Many older homes have both on the same bill. It is closed to new connections.
What is tariff 93?
Aurora’s residential time-of-use tariff. Power costs more in the weekday morning and evening peaks (7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm in standard time) and less at other times. It needs a smart meter.
What is tariff 32?
The current residential flat-rate tariff, with one usage price at any time of day. It is open to new connections.
Did Tasmanian electricity prices go up in 2026?
Yes. Aurora Energy’s regulated prices rose by an average of 4.23 per cent from 1 July 2026, mostly because of higher network charges.
Is time of use cheaper in Tasmania?
For some households. The regulator’s typical bills for the flat-rate and time-of-use tariffs are within about $15 a year of each other, so it depends entirely on when you use power.
Can I go back to tariff 31 or 41 if I switch?
Generally no. They are closed to new connections, so check the costs carefully before moving off them.
Can I choose a retailer other than Aurora?
Yes, there are other retailers in Tasmania, though Aurora supplies around nine in ten homes. Compare them on your own usage to see whether any beats your current plan.
How do I find out which Tasmanian plan is cheapest for me?
Upload a bill and EnergySorted costs every Tasmanian plan available at your address on your real usage.