Open Electricity is set to change how Hibiscus Coast households and small businesses compare power plans, by using their own usage data.

Energy Minister Simon Watts and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson say the retail electricity sector has been designated under the Customer and Product Data Act.

They link it to the rollout of Open Banking, with regulations in force from Monday, December 1, 2025.

“Right now, there are more than 15,000 power plans for residential users alone, making it nearly impossible to compare and find the best plan to suit people’s needs,” Mr Watts says.

The ministers say Open Electricity will allow quick comparisons against every plan on the market, using individual consumption data rather than averages.

They cite recent energy savings campaigns showing people who switched power plans saved an average of $358 a year.

They also point to wider benefits from more efficient electricity use, including opportunities to reduce demand at peak times and lower network costs.

“Open Electricity will mean customers can access data around their electricity consumption and product options quickly, clearly, and securely,” Mr Watts says.

The Government expects changes to start from September this year, with implementation completed by mid-2027.

It estimates the shift will benefit about two million households and 165,000 small business customers through greater choice, improved transparency, and easier access to their data.

Mr Simpson says current access to electricity usage information is “slow, costly, and inconsistent”, and that relying on average-usage estimates limits the ability to find the best deal.

For Hibiscus Coast households and small businesses, the practical change is faster access to your own usage data, so you can compare plans properly and move if it stacks up.

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