Peak and off-peak electricity times, and is time of use cheaper?
By Sithum Imarsha Last reviewed
The most common peak is 4pm to 9pm every day, on 7 of the 15 offers we cover: all of Victoria and Queensland. Sydney's Ausgrid peaks 3pm to 9pm, but only from November to March and June to August. Western Sydney's Endeavour Energy peaks 4pm to 8pm on working weekdays. SA Power Networks peaks 6am to 10am and 4pm to 12am. Time of use beats flat when less than about 34.8% of your use is in the peak (Ausgrid, 14.3 kWh a day).
Your result
For your home
Time of use is about $20 a year cheaper
- Time of use, a year
- $2,316
- Flat, a year
- $2,336
- Peak share used
- 33.2% (typical home)
- Daily use
- 14.3kWh
The rates behind it
- Peak rate
- 48.11c/kWh, 3pm to 9pm
- Rest of the day, averaged
- 24.04c/kWh
- Flat rate
- 33.14c/kWh
- Supply charge, time of use vs flat
- 176.41c vs 166.23c a day
Fix the highlighted field to update.
Break-evenTime of use wins while less than 34.8% of your use is 3pm to 9pm.
ClockTimes follow the clock, including daylight saving.
SeasonNo peak in April, May, September and October.
Rates
Your planThese are the times on the Ausgrid default market offer. A market plan can use other times. Check your plan.
Your whole billEstimate your whole bill.
How we calculated this
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 3pm to 9pm | Every day | Nov to Mar and Jun to Aug | 60.2c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 3pm | Every day | All year | 24.04c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 8pm | Working weekdays | All year | 46.57c Nov to Mar, 47.14c Apr to Oct |
| Solar soak | 10am to 2pm | Every day | All year | 12.35c |
| Off-peak | 8pm to 10am and 2pm to 4pm | Every day | All year | 35.69c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am to 10am and 3pm to 10pm | Every day | All year | 42.12c |
| Off-peak | 10pm to 7am and 10am to 3pm | Every day | All year | 24.14c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 47.64c |
| Solar soak | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.59c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 22.6c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 38.31c |
| Saver | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 16.59c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 21.17c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 37.57c |
| Solar soak | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.65c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 21.76c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 41.67c |
| Saver | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.26c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 22.49c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 40.32c |
| Solar soak | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.26c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 22.14c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 47.79c |
| Off-peak | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 6.98c |
| Shoulder | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 25.3c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 4pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 47.21c |
| Day | 11am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 7c |
| Night | 9pm to 11am | Every day | All year | 25.59c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 6am to 10am and 4pm to 12am | Every day | All year | 56.22c |
| Solar soak | 10am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.04c |
| Off-peak | 12am to 6am | Every day | All year | 32.55c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 3pm to 9pm | Every day | All year | 55.33c |
| Super off-peak | 9am to 3pm | Every day | All year | 8.85c |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 9am | Every day | All year | 24.34c |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh | Clock time in daylight saving (Oct to Apr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm | Monday to Friday | All year | 36.19c | 8am to 11am and 5pm to 10pm |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 7am and 10am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.02c | 10pm to 8am and 11am to 5pm |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh | Clock time in daylight saving (Oct to Apr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm | Monday to Friday | All year | 36.19c | 8am to 11am and 5pm to 10pm |
| Off-peak | 9pm to 7am and 10am to 4pm | Every day | All year | 17.02c | 10pm to 8am and 11am to 5pm |
| Band | Times | Days | Season | c/kWh | Clock time in daylight saving (Oct to Apr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | 7am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm | Every day | All year | 49.72c | 8am to 10am and 6pm to 9pm |
| Shoulder | 9am to 5pm and 8pm to 10pm | Every day | All year | 33.57c | 10am to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm |
| Off-peak | 10pm to 7am | Every day | All year | 29.92c | 11pm to 8am |
The peak hours over a year
The peak rate on the days it applies, and the off-peak rate on the days it does not, averaged over the year. Some networks have no peak in some months, on weekends or on public holidays.
48.11c/kWh
The rest of the day
The other bands' rates, weighted by a typical home's use in each. They keep the same mix as your peak share moves.
24.04c/kWh (Official source: AER DMO 8 final determination (26 May 2026), Appendix C s.6(2) pattern of supply, read via a Wayback Machine copy, PDF p.119; annual usage from Appendix C)
Flat for a year
(Daily supply + daily use × the flat rate) × 365 days.
(166.23c + 14.3 kWh × 33.14c/kWh) × 365 = $2,336
Time of use for a year
(Daily supply + daily use × (peak share × step 1 + the rest × step 2)) × 365 days.
176.41c a day supply, peak share 33.2% (typical home): $2,316
Break-even
The peak share where the two cost the same: ((flat supply − time of use supply) ÷ daily use + flat rate − step 2) ÷ (step 1 − step 2).
Time of use wins while less than 34.8% of your use is 3pm to 9pm.
| Quarter | Days | Flat | Time of use | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul to Sep 2026 | 92 | $589 | $585 | -$4 |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | 92 | $589 | $583 | -$6 |
| Jan to Mar 2027 | 90 | $576 | $623 | $47 |
| Apr to Jun 2027 | 91 | $582 | $525 | -$58 |
| Quarter | Days | Flat | Time of use | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul to Sep 2026 | 92 | $614 | $613 | -$1 |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | 92 | $614 | $611 | -$3 |
| Jan to Mar 2027 | 90 | $601 | $597 | -$4 |
| Apr to Jun 2027 | 91 | $607 | $606 | -$2 |
| Network | Peak | Typical share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW: Ausgrid (Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter) | 3pm to 9pm | 33.2% | Official source |
| NSW: Endeavour Energy (western Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains) | 4pm to 8pm | 23.9% | Official source |
| NSW: Essential Energy (regional NSW) | 7am to 10am and 3pm to 10pm | 51.5% | Official source |
| VIC: AusNet Services (outer east Victoria) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| VIC: CitiPower (inner Melbourne) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| VIC: Jemena (north-west Melbourne) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| VIC: Powercor (west Victoria) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| VIC: United Energy (south-east Melbourne) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| QLD: Energex (Brisbane, south-east Queensland) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Official source |
| QLD: Ergon Energy (regional Queensland) | 4pm to 9pm | 29% | Estimate |
| SA: SA Power Networks (Adelaide and all of SA) | 6am to 10am and 4pm to 12am | 51.4% | Official source |
| WA: Synergy (Perth and the south-west) | 3pm to 9pm | 33.4% | Estimate |
| TAS: Aurora Tariff 31 (flat, closed to new homes) | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm | 40.7% | Estimate |
| TAS: Aurora Tariff 32 (flat, single rate) | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 9pm | 40.7% | Estimate |
| ACT: Evoenergy (ActewAGL, Canberra) | 7am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm | 25.9% | Estimate |
| Network | Flat supply (c/day) | Flat usage (c/kWh) | TOU supply (c/day) | TOU rates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW: Ausgrid (Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter) | 166.2289 | 33.1372 | 176.4106 | Peak 60.2c; Off-peak 24.04c | Official source |
| NSW: Endeavour Energy (western Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains) | 185.135 | 33.7273 | 185.135 | Peak 46.57c Nov to Mar, 47.14c Apr to Oct; Solar soak 12.35c; Off-peak 35.69c | Official source |
| NSW: Essential Energy (regional NSW) | 272.2168 | 35.0054 | 272.2168 | Peak 42.12c; Off-peak 24.14c | Official source |
| VIC: AusNet Services (outer east Victoria) | 128.24 | 31.98 | 128.24 | Peak 47.64c; Solar soak 17.59c; Off-peak 22.6c | Official source |
| VIC: CitiPower (inner Melbourne) | 121.14 | 25.96 | 121.14 | Peak 38.31c; Saver 16.59c; Off-peak 21.17c | Official source |
| VIC: Jemena (north-west Melbourne) | 127.13 | 27.47 | 127.12 | Peak 37.57c; Solar soak 17.65c; Off-peak 21.76c | Official source |
| VIC: Powercor (west Victoria) | 138.05 | 28.22 | 138.05 | Peak 41.67c; Saver 17.26c; Off-peak 22.49c | Official source |
| VIC: United Energy (south-east Melbourne) | 119.12 | 27.35 | 119.12 | Peak 40.32c; Solar soak 17.26c; Off-peak 22.14c | Official source |
| QLD: Energex (Brisbane, south-east Queensland) | 192.0159 | 27.9744 | 177.8531 | Peak 47.79c; Off-peak 6.98c; Shoulder 25.3c | Official source |
| QLD: Ergon Energy (regional Queensland) | 180.5078 | 28.8948 | 156.7302 | Peak 47.21c; Day 7c; Night 25.59c | Official source |
| SA: SA Power Networks (Adelaide and all of SA) | 180.0512 | 41.9103 | 180.0512 | Peak 56.22c; Solar soak 17.04c; Off-peak 32.55c | Official source |
| WA: Synergy (Perth and the south-west) | 119.24 | 33.2621 | 132.7806 | Peak 55.33c; Super off-peak 8.85c; Off-peak 24.34c | Dated third-party source |
| TAS: Aurora Tariff 31 (flat, closed to new homes) | 167.6815 | 27.9538 | 172.3469 | Peak 36.19c; Off-peak 17.02c | Official source |
| TAS: Aurora Tariff 32 (flat, single rate) | 182 | 24.75 | 172.3469 | Peak 36.19c; Off-peak 17.02c | Official source |
| ACT: Evoenergy (ActewAGL, Canberra) | 134.2 | 36.9536 | 134.2 | Peak 49.72c; Shoulder 33.57c; Off-peak 29.92c | Official source |
Sources
- AER: DMO 8 final determination 2026–27, Appendix C (read via a Wayback copy)
- AER: DMO 2026–27 information kit, reference bills (read via a Wayback copy)
- AER: Annual retail markets report 2024–25, Table A2.1 (read via a Wayback copy)
- ESC: Victorian Default Offer 2026–27 final decision paper
- ESC: Victorian Default Offer 2026–27 price determination
- CitiPower and Powercor: residential network tariffs fact sheet
- Ausgrid: ES7 network price guide (read via a Wayback copy)
- Endeavour Energy: network price list 2024–25
- Essential Energy: network price list 2025–26
- SA Power Networks: tariff structure statement Part A (read via a Wayback copy)
- QCA: Gazette No. 29, notified prices from 1 July 2026
- QCA: regional Queensland prices 2026–27, final determination
- ActewAGL: ACT standard electricity prices from 1 July 2026
- Aurora Energy: 2026–27 standing offer tariff schedule
- WA legislation: Synergy charges amendment by-laws 2026 (SL 2026/140)
- Synergy: average electricity bill by household type (read via the Wayback Machine, 2 April 2025)
- Economic Regulation Authority WA: can I choose my retailer?
- positiveenergy: Synergy A1 vs Midday Saver vs EV Add-On
- BillWise: Synergy July 2026 tariff increase
- NSW Government: public holidays
- PM&C: National Energy Retail Amendment (Accelerating smart meter deployment) Rule 2024
- Energy Made Easy: retail plan data (GloBird ZEROHERO)
- AER: Electricity and gas consumption benchmarks for residential customers 2020
Questions
When is off-peak electricity?
It depends on your network. On the 2026-27 regulated tariffs, Victoria and Queensland peak 4pm to 9pm every day. Ausgrid peaks 3pm to 9pm from November to March and June to August, Endeavour Energy 4pm to 8pm on working weekdays, Essential Energy 7am to 10am and 3pm to 10pm, and SA Power Networks 6am to 10am and 4pm to 12am. The rest of the day is off-peak, shoulder or a cheap midday band. Pick your network above to see its full table.
Is time of use cheaper than a flat rate?
It depends on how much of your use falls in the peak. Take a typical 2-person home on Ausgrid. Time of use is about $20 a year cheaper. It stays cheaper while less than 34.8% of your use is 3pm to 9pm. Type your own peak share from your bill to check yours.
Do retailers use the same peak times?
Not always. These are the regulated tariff times, and a market plan can set its own. For example, GloBird's ZEROHERO plan on Ausgrid and CitiPower peaks 4pm to 11pm, while the default offer tariffs there peak 3pm to 9pm and 4pm to 9pm. Check the times on your own plan.
Do the times change with daylight saving?
Most times follow the clock. In Tasmania and the ACT they are set in Australian Eastern Standard Time, so in daylight saving (Oct to Apr) the peak is one hour later on the clock. Queensland and WA have no daylight saving.
I have solar panels. What peak share do I type?
The typical share is for all homes. Solar covers your midday use, so what you buy from the grid bunches into the evening and your peak share is higher. Work yours out from your bill: peak kWh ÷ all kWh.
What about off-peak hot water?
Controlled load has its own meter and rate, so leave it out of your daily use here. The electricity bill calculator adds it.
What is a demand tariff?
A different product: it adds a charge for your highest half-hour of use in a set window. This calculator does not model it.
Can my retailer move me to time of use without asking?
Not within 2 years of a new smart meter replacing an old one: from 1 December 2025 they need your explicit consent. After that they must give 30 business days' notice and a 12-month bill comparison. Your network can still change its own tariff.
Where do the WA time of use rates come from?
Synergy's website blocks our checker, so WA's time of use rates here come from dated third-party pages (Dated third-party source). Check synergy.net.au before you switch.