More than 2.7 million Victorians have already used Victorian Energy Compare to find a better offer on electricity, gas and solar to cut hundreds of dollars a year from their energy bills.

The free and independent tool is now accessing electricity usage data, which means it takes less than a minute to compare offers and find the best available.

The Labor Government’s nation-leading market reforms mean retailers are now required to tell you what their best offer is.

On average, Victorians who use Victorian Energy Compare save $330 in their first year alone, with seven-out-of-ten customers finding a better deal by switching retailers.

Previously, customers were required to manually enter details from their smart meter or power bill but the upgraded tool can now access this data thanks to a partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator.

The data includes the customer’s postcode, current retailer and their National Metering Identifier but doesn’t contain any personably identifiable information.

Privacy and security have been central in developing the tool, with customers able to choose whether to share their smart meter data or instead use an energy questionnaire to estimate their energy consumption.

Not only can Victorian families slash their bills by using Victorian Energy Compare, they can still claim the Labor Government’s $50 Power Saving Bonus when they compare offers until 30 June this year.

The website upgrade is just one of the measures the Government is taking to drive down energy bills. Its landmark Solar Homes program is putting a power station on over 700,000 homes at no up-front cost.

Victorians can also ditch confusing and costly energy deals by choosing the Victorian Default Offer – a regulated fair price that Victorians can trust.

For more information and to compare electricity offers visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Millions of Victorians have already slashed their energy bills via the energy compare website. This upgrade will make it even easier for others to join them – saving time and money.”

“We’re helping Victorians find the cheapest and fairest energy deal and save hundreds of dollars off their power bill.”

“This is just one of the ways we’re putting power back in the hands of Victorians with our Energy Fairness Plan and Solar Homes putting downward pressure on prices.”